U.S. and RI marines "raid" Banongan
Java Sea, Situbondo (ANTARA News) - U.S. and RI`s marines conducted a joint amphibious landing at Banongan Beach, Asembagus, Situbondo.
"The activity was a series of Joint Exercises held by the Indonesian and the U.S. Marine Corps," said spokesman Marines First Lieutenant Mardiono said Sunday.
Accompanied by his partner, Second Sergeant Kuwadi Marines , he said this joint exercise is called Interoperability-Field Training Exercise (FTX-IIP) Marine Exercise (Mrex) 2009.
In opening remarks, Commander of the Indonesian Marine Corps Maj. Gen. (Mar) M. Alfan Baharudin confirmed that the Indonesian-American Marine Corps joint exercises have succeeded in increasing cooperation between the two.
"Indusa (Indonesia-USA) Marex 2009 exercise which involved 1300 personnel from both countries, is a large scale joint exercise ever held by the Indonesian and American Marines," he said, in a written speech read out by Assistant Operation s Commander of the Marine Corps Colonel Ivan AR Titus.
As global security demands the ability and preparedness of the forces in the face of situation and various issues, he said, all standards of professionalism demanded high field soldiers.
"That will be achieved in practice with Indusa Marex 2009, so I expect in this joint exercise, the both Marine Corps will work together to learn, so as to increase personnel capabilities," he said.
In the exercises, the Indonesian Marines will gain new knowledge about city war (Marine Operations Urban Terrain), meanwhile the US Marines (USMC) had knowledge of the system used in forest battle, this joint exercise is to learn and complement each other.
"Everything is based on the spirit of Marines Brotherhood, because the essence of the exercise is to improve cooperation between the Indonesia and US Marines in designing integrated planning process, gathering information, actions of each staff to decision-making in the field," he said.
Therefore, during the exercise the participants are using Multi National Force Standard Procedures (MNFSOP).
Meanwhile, the United States Consul General in Surabaya, Caryn McClelland said that the joint training was not the be the first time, there are also several successful RI-US military joint exercises established previously.
"In any joint program, community programs has always been an important agenda, including in a series of joint training activities in Situbondo this time, the U.S. and Indonesian Marines will work together to help health clinics and to give health services and dental care to the community," he said.
Besides, they also will work together to improve school buildings, providing an opportunity for the Marines of both countries to work together and leave positive memories.
"Exercise in forest areas provide opportunities for US Marines to learn from the Indonesian Marines, considering that the USMC training is more focused on the desert, besides the medical workers also have the opportunity to learn about new medical cases," he said.
He is optimistic that the U.S. Marines would make a bond between the two countries, that can strengthen the both nations` bond to create a new relationship to make a safer and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.
"I thank the Indonesian military, local governments, and the central government also the Situbondo community who have helped in reaching success of the joint exercise," said Caryn McClelland.(*)
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PubDate: 10/18/09 21:27
