CSAF hosts Indonesian counterpart visit

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., hosted Indonesian Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo for an official counterpart visit May 16-20 to affirm the strong and enduring U.S.-Indonesia strategic partnership.

The two leaders were accompanied by their wives, Sharene Brown and Andarini Inong Putri, who visited area schools and developmental programs to share perspectives and gain insight on Airmen and family care.

“It is my distinct honor to welcome Indonesian Air Force Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo for a counterpart visit,” Brown said. “Our engagements reflected the enduring nature of the U.S.-Indonesia strategic partnership and our shared desire to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

As part of the visit, Fadjar first visited the U.S. Air Force Academy where he met with Indonesia’s first-ever cadet attending there. Later, he also received a full honors arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling where he was awarded the Legion of Merit, met Air Force leaders including Brown, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, and other Headquarters Air Force staff members at the Pentagon, and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Ceremony.

During Brown’s office call with his Indonesian counterpart, the two leaders discussed Indonesia’s defense modernization initiatives, including Indonesia’s proposed F-15IDN aircraft procurement and upgrades to existing platforms.

Brown also praised Indonesia’s regional leadership and thanked Prasetyo for his efforts in support of the Cope West 2021 bilateral exercise in Indonesia and underscored the importance of exercises to readiness and interoperability.

The U.S. and Indonesian Air Forces take part in an active exercise program highlighted by exercise Cope West, which takes place annually and focuses on interoperability between the two nations’ combat and mobility forces. They also cooperate on numerous programs focused on logistics cooperation, multi-domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance.

Pacific Air Forces also provides various training courses supporting maritime domain awareness and other topics via the U.S. Air Force capacity building programs in which Indonesian armed forces participate.

The United States is Indonesia’s largest military engagement partner with more than 220 annual engagements.