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Archives - American troops dropped aid from an aircraft belonging to the US Air Force at Mutiara SIS Al-Jufrie Airport in Palu, Central Sulawesi on Saturday (October 6, 2018). (ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Adimaja/hp) - 

The Indonesian and US air forces is to conduct joint exercises to enhance humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills, the US Embassy in Jakarta noted in a written statement received here on Saturday.

Airmen from Pacific Air Forces and service members from the Indonesian Air Force will participate in the exercise -- Pacific Airlift Rally 2021 -- in Mataram City on Lombok Island, Indonesia on September 6-10, 2021.

Around 47 Airmen along with one C-130J Super Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota AB, and 37 service members and one C-130H Hercules from the Indonesian Air Force will participate in a command post exercise, field training exercise, and subject matter expert exchanges with service members from the Indonesian Air Force.

"The Pacific Airlift Rally is a unique opportunity to promote regional military cooperation and improve airlift interoperability, as we train together in preparation for future real-world humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts," according to Lt Col Steven M. Massie II, Commander, 36th Airlift Squadron.

"It allows us to share techniques and capabilities between our forces, but more importantly, build relationships with regional allies that will improve our ability to respond to a disaster scenario and save lives," he affirmed.

PAR21 will be the first iteration of the exercise since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

In coordination with military medical personnel and public health personnel, extensive mitigation efforts will be employed to boost the safety and well-being of U.S. and Indonesian participants//ANT