The arrival of the CP-140 Aurora on Wednesday (22/11/2023) was welcomed by the Commander of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, TNI First Marshal Destianto Nugroho Utomo and Head of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Operations Service, Flight Col. Puguh Yulianto. From the Canadian side, Deputy Canadian Defense Attaché for Indonesia, Lt. Col. Àndre Glumeau greeted directly on the runway.
Major Scott Macdonald, 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron Operations Flight Commander as well as aircraft pilot admitted that he was glad to be able to land in Indonesia. He admitted that the aircraft landing in Indonesia, after previously coming from Japan, was an honor and privilege for him.
"First off, we're very excited to be here in honor... to come to Indonesia and to meet some Indonesian airport," he said.
Major Scott explained that the CP-140 Aurora is usually used as an anti-submarine capable of tracking submarines in the ocean. Apart from that, this aircraft made by Lockheed Martin is also used to monitor marine territories. According to him, the RCAF is collaborating with related agencies to carry out patrols using this aircraft, such as for fisheries and anti-narcotics measures.
"What makes it special is it's a four-engine terminal broad airplane, so it's designed specifically for our handy work. It's thin, it's sleek, it's fast," he continued.
Meanwhile, Canadian Defense Attaché to Indonesia, Colonel Stewart Taylor explained the Indo-Pacific Strategy that Canada has recently been implementing. According to him, this strategy, which will start in November 2022, is an initiative of the Canadian people to involve the Canadian military in the Indo-Pacific. He continued that Canada wants to contribute to increasing security and stability as well as an inclusive, free, and open Indo-Pacific.
“This is a Canadian-wide initiative to expand our involvement in the region. Canada is committed to strengthening our military presence in the region to promote security and stability as well as an inclusive, free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.
He added that there are activities the Canadian military is participating in within the framework of the strategy, including taking part in joint exercises held by Indonesia. Canada participated in Komodo Exercise in South Sulawesi last June, and the Super Garuda Shield in East Java last September. Besides that, he continued, the arrival of the HMCS Montreal ship in Surabaya, East Java last June was also part of this strategy.
The Director General of Intelligence and Planning for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Brigadier General John Vass, claimed that the visit is a 'tangible expression' of the Indonesia-Canada partnership. According to him, the partnership was built from the same values and interests, one of which is realizing an open Indo-Pacific Region. Moreover, he continued, the partnership is reinforced since ASEAN appointed Canada as its strategic partner at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta last September.
"I think it (Canadian Air Force visit in Indonesia) is a tangible expression of the growing partnership between Canada and Indonesia, a partnership that is founded on shared values and interests. this includes addressing shared security challenges, to maintain our rules based international system, and maintain a free, open, inclusive Indonesia Pacific [sic, Indo-Pacific])," he said.
According to a release from the Canadian Embassy to Indonesia, Brunei, and Timor Leste, the CAF delegation will meet representatives of the Indonesian Air Force. They will discuss military and defense cooperation. Brigadier General John Vass is also scheduled to visit the academic community of the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan).
