Hercs help strengthen relationships on exercise

Australia and Indonesia are adding a new chapter to their long history of cooperation through Exercise Rajawali AusIndo 24 at Adisutjipto Air Force Base.

CAPTION: Cargo is unloaded from a RAAF C-130J Hercules at Adisutjipto Air Force Base in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as part of Exercise Rajawali AusIndo. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

The exercise, from September 15 to 21, involves C-130J Hercules transport aircraft and crews conducting aerial delivery of supplies and cargo to a drop zone.

Rajawali AusIndo, currently being held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is the first time both countries have flown the latest C-130J variant of the Hercules together, following Indonesia’s introduction of the type to service in 2023.

Commanding Officer RAAF 37 Squadron Wing Commander Charles Freebairn said air mobility was important to both countries during contingency operations.

“Both our countries have a long history of using air mobility to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the wider Indo-Pacific,” Wing Commander Freebairn said before the exercise began.

“Exercise Rajawali AusIndo will demonstrate how Indonesian and Australian aviators can engage with each other to understand respective practices, plan air mobility missions together and fly in a range of scenarios.”

The exercise involves participation from 176 Air Dispatch Squadron from the Australian Army, assisting with air drop sorties over Ambal Training Area.

Cooperation on Rajwali AusIndo allows both air forces to exchange information and practices in live mission scenarios, ensuring they are prepared for future air mobility operations.

“The integration and building of relationships in this exercise will benefit the RAAF and TNI-AU [Indonesian Air Force] in the future as we continue to address common security challenges in our region,” Wing Commander Freebairn said.

Australia and Indonesia each have more than 60 years’ experience in flying different models of the Hercules, which can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo or more than 100 passengers, and operate from short, semi-prepared runways.

Responsibility for hosting Rajawali AusIndo has been shared since it began in 1994, with the previous exercise conducted in Townsville in 2022.

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