Super Garuda Shield 2023 concludes with amphibious operation Involving Indonesian, U.S., and Singaporean naval forces

INDONESIA:  The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut) successfully concluded the Super Garuda Shield 2023 joint military exercises on Sunday (10 Sept), with an impressive amphibious operation at Banongan Beach in Situbondo, East Java.

The operation featured the participation of 700 Marine Corps personnel and various primary weapon systems.

In a statement by Rear Admiral I Made Wira Hady, Head of Information Services of the Indonesian Navy (Kadispenal), the amphibious landing exercise involved approximately 700 Marine Corps personnel and various combat assets, including amphibious tanks, LVT-7s, and KAPAK-61 vehicles.

The joint operation also saw the involvement of the United States Navy and the Singapore Navy.

The United States deployed the USS Green Bay, while Singapore contributed the RSS Endeavour and RSS Vigour.

Prior to the amphibious phase, the Indonesian Navy led the sea phase – one phase of the military training involving exercises at sea – of the exercises, which included vessels like KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332, KRI Sultan Hasanudin-366, KRI Surabaya-591, KRI Tombak-629, and KRI Teluk Banten-516, all carrying Marine Corps personnel who would participate in the amphibious landing.

Marine Corps personnel of the Indonesian Navy conducted a joint combat patrol exercise with Singapore Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) military personnel in the forest on Sunday, September 3, 2023. (Photo: Indonesia Marine Corps Public Relations)

Super Garuda Shield 2023, conducted from September 9th to 10th, involved the participation of 20 nations, including the United States and various countries from the Indo-Pacific region.

The exercises were preceded by a harbor phase from 31 August to 7 September.

Commander Task Group (CTG) Amphibious Exercise, Rear Admiral TNI Tunggul, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation among participating nations despite differences in doctrines, policies, and equipment.

The sea phase lasted from September 8th to 12th and included several serial exercises such as MISCEX 832-Screen Exercise, Recognized Air Picture (RAP), ADEX 322-Single Aircraft Attack on HVU, Damage Control Exercise (DCEX), PHOTOEX, GUNEX, and Amphibious Assault.

During the amphibious landing operation, two fighter jets performed maneuvers before Marine Corps vehicles, including amphibious tanks and KAPAK-61 vehicles, were deployed from the ships.

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vessels from the United States Navy also played a crucial role in the operation. Indonesian and U.S. Marines swiftly disembarked, launching a coordinated assault on the beach.

Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defense Forces, Admiral Yudo Margono, who observed the amphibious operation, emphasized the high-level capabilities of the Indonesian military.

He highlighted that Indonesia frequently conducts joint exercises with countries like the United States, Australia, and Singapore, reaffirming that Indonesia stands on par with its international counterparts.

Yudo Margono noted that Indonesia consistently receives invitations to participate in multinational exercises, reflecting the country’s equal standing among global military forces.

The Super Garuda Shield 2023 exercises, spanning 14 days from August 31st to September 13th, brought together a total of 2,810 Indonesian military personnel and 2,165 foreign personnel from countries such as the United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

Additionally, observer nations included New Zealand, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Brunei Darussalam, France, Germany, the Philippines, South Korea, and Timor Leste.

Indonesian military personnel and United States military personnel during the Super Garuda Shield training series. (Photo: ANTARA)

Beyond combat training, the Indonesian military, in collaboration with the participating nations, conducted community outreach activities, including free medical clinics, distribution of essential supplies, mass circumcision, and the renovation of a local elementary school, demonstrating their commitment to the communities in the vicinity of the training areas.