Mily Chief Closes Counter-Terrorism Exercise

Batam, Riau Islands (Antara) - National Defense Forces (TNI) chief General Moeldoko on Saturday officially closed a counter-terrorism exercise involving elite troops from the army, navy and air force in Jakarta and Batam. "This exercise combined the three military forces into a complete force. The theme of this exercise is "Counter Hijacking at the Sea," he said at Batuampar north pier in Batam city on Saturday. The exercise involved the army's elite force Kopassus Sat-81, the navy's elite force Denjaka and the air force's elite force Denbravo 90. "This exercise is the eighth of its kind ever held. It is not easy to realize the theme of the exercise, which is relatively new, because we had to adapt to different fields," he said. This year's exercise was conducted in two parts. The first phase included a post command exercise, which was conducted in Cilandak, Jakarta, from Nov 22 to 23, and the second phase included a spot exercise conducted in Batam on Saturday. The theme of the exercise was designed to improve individual capacity and capability and bringing together the counter-terrorism unit at all levels, particularly the combination of command, control, communication, coordination, and operation integration, he said. Head of the TNI Information Service, Rear Admiral Iskandar Sitompul, said "The exercise is aimed at improving the capacity and capability of the TNI's counter-terrorism unit in addressing the trend of factual conditions, at present and in the future." A total of 406 soldiers participated in the exercise, which included one Hercules C-130 plane, two Helly Bell choppers, one Cassa plane, one warship, four Sea Riders, and six Rubber ducks, among others. (*)