Jakarta – No need to use uproar. A rare but influential and decisive meeting took place at the Joint Defense Region III Command Headquarters (Makoganwilhan III), TNI Headquarters Complex, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, three days ago.
A rare but influential and decisive word – it feels – must be used for the meeting. The reason is strong enough, also no kidding. The figures of two influential military officers from the TNI and US Army whose ranks were stamped with three stars on their shoulders were at that meeting, you see.
The two figures referred to are Lt. Gen. I Nyoman Cantiasa, S.E., M.Tr. (Han) as Pangkogabwilhan III and Deputy Commander US.Indopacom (United States Indo-Pacific Command), Lt. Gen. (LTG) Stephen D. Sklenka.
That day, LTG Stephen and his entourage deliberately visited the headquarters of Lt. Gen. Cantiasa. They want to take advantage of the time between their busy routines to seriously discuss many important matters related to the military. One of them is to finalize military training cooperation between the two countries as a priority for discussion.
Lt. Gen. Cantiasa revealed that currently the status of the military cooperation training has also been upgraded from bilateral between Indonesia and the US to multilateral, which means it involves many countries. One example is the ‘Super Garuda Shield’ exercise in Indonesia, some time ago. This exercise was attended by 13 countries, where the TNI as the host included its three troops to take part in the exercise.
Cantiasa said that such an achievement could be likened to the fruit reaped from a long process built by previous TNI leaders to advance the TNI institution and all the elements within it.
“Mr. Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, General TNI Andika Perkasa, has also built the foundation for Indonesia’s defense cooperation with several countries in the Asia Pacific region, especially the US,” said the man from Buleleng who is also listed as the 31st Commander General (Danjen) of the Red Beret Corps Command Troops Special (Kopassus).
“The foundation of defense cooperation begins with a strategy to build communication and trust, be it a dialogue strategy, officers’ visits, as well as several other intense cooperation activities carried out by Indonesia and the US,” Cantiasa continued.
Furthermore, the former Pangdam XVIII/3rd Cassowary also admitted that he really appreciated the success of implementing the ‘Super Garuda Shield’ exercise this year. This success, said Cantiasa, is a parameter for increasing capacity building, training and collaboration between the TNI and US.Indopacom.
On the same occasion, LTG Stephen D. Sklenka also expressed his gratitude for the welcome and appreciation for military cooperation, which continues to increase for the two countries.
“Apart from the ‘Super Garuda Shield’ exercise, since 2022 we have also entered into joint ‘Gema Bhakti’ training in the form of a staff exercise activity pattern between the TNI and US.Indopacom,” said LTG LTG Stephen D. Sklenka.
“This scheme aims to train officers so that they are quickly familiar with staff activities, including in preparing the operational plan for the upcoming 2023 ‘Super Garuda Shield’ exercise,”
“And don’t be left behind, Kogabwilhan personnel must continue to be involved in order to create sustainable support for the next ‘Super Garuda Shield’ exercise,” he continued.
According to LTG LTG Stephen D. Sklenka, the implementation of joint exercises between the TNI and US Army so far has made many positive contributions for both of them.
For the US Army, continues Stephen D. Sklenka, training in Indonesia provides new experiences, cultural introductions, and very good interpersonal relations between the US Army and TNI.
“This joint exercise has also opened up new insights and experiences for soldier members, both from the TNI and the US Army,” said LTG Stephen D. Sklenka, smiling.
Pangkogabwilhan III Lt. Gen. Nyoman Cantiasa also added, In general, the strengthening of military cooperation between the TNI and the US Army must continue to be increased in order to maintain security stability and peace in the region. Especially as Kogabwilhan III which he leads, bears the burden of responsibility for protecting the area from Maluku to Papua whose area directly intersects with the working area of LTG Stepen in Asia Pacific.
“One recorded history from my statement earlier is the landing of nine US Army divisions led by General Douglas McArtur on Morotai in 1944. Now Morotai is the territorial area of Kogabwilhan III,” said Cantiasa who was also listed as the best graduate and winner of the 1990 Adhi Makayasa Military Academy.
“That historical record has finally become phenomenal history because that is the beginning of the story of the allied military landing in this Republic,” he continued. bembo
