Special Report: Septiawan/Muhammad Hidayat
Jakarta, IO – Joint military exercise Super Garuda Shield (SGS) 2022 is to held from August 1-14 at several locations in Indonesia, namely Baturaja, Amborawang, and Batam Island. This year, military personnel from Indonesia, the US, Australia, Japan, and Singapore will take part.
This annual joint exercise between the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) aims to strengthen interoperability, capability, mutual trust, and cooperation that have been built on the two countries’ shared experiences over several decades. SGS 2022 will be much larger in scope and scale than previous exercises with many countries participating or attending as observers for the first time. In addition to strengthening defense diplomacy and friendship with participating countries, this exercise is intended to enhance the capability of Indonesian Navy personnel.
“This is an important drill to build superior and professional Indonesian Navy personnel in line with the priority program set forth by the Chief of the Naval Staff. This will strengthen the Navy’s synergy and operational readiness as well as interoperability in facing all kinds of potential threat,” said SGS 2022 Joint Exercise Task Force commander Commodore Hudiarto Krisno Utomo aboard KRI Makassar-590, Sunday (31/7).
According to Krisno, SGS will also boost the morale of service members and refine their skills and professionalism. Thus, officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted officers who take part in the activities can reap optimal benefits through the exchange of knowledge, techniques, tactics and procedures by interacting with foreign military personnel. In addition, all personnel must pay attention to the safety and security aspect to ensure that SGS 2022 can run smoothly.