Australian and Indonesian air forces have successfully completed another Exercise Albatross AusIndo 24 in Bali, Indonesia.
The three-day exercise concluded on 31 May, providing an avenue for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Indonesian Air Force, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) to collaboratively plan and conduct training missions.
The exercise was also supported by elements of the Australian and Indonesian navies, focusing on interoperability between maritime patrol aircraft; RAAF P-8A Poseidon from No 11 Squadron, and TNI-AU Boeing 737 from No 5 Squadron.
The Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz AM, CSC, DSM, said Exercise Albatross AusIndo 24 aimed to strengthen the relationship and enhance mutual cooperation, particularly security and awareness in the maritime domain, between the ADF and Indonesian National Armed Forces.
"Exercise Albatross AusIndo 24 provides an opportunity for knowledge exchange between our two nations, both at the aviator-level as well as between our organisations," Air Vice-Marshal Braz said.
"Maritime surveillance makes an exceptionally important contribution to Australia and Indonesia's respective security, and helps ensure a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."
Exercise Albatross AusIndo 24 built on the maritime patrol skillsets of Indonesian and Australian aircrew, and allowed them to develop a deeper appreciation for each other's air capability.
"This is an important opportunity for our air forces to boost effective interactive military-to-military links via close, agile air and sea missions," Air Vice-Marshal Braz said.
Australia's defence relationship with Indonesia makes an important contribution to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
"We are expanding the scope and complexity of our exercises with Indonesia and strengthening our ability to work together," Air Vice-Marshal Braz said.
"In 2022, we successfully embarked on combined maritime and air patrols for the first time, and Exercise Albatross AusIndo 2024 continues to build on this achievement and strengthen interoperability between our forces."
Exercise Albatross AusIndo was last held in Darwin in 2023, and in Indonesia in 2021; having not taken place since 2012.
It is one of three collaborative exercises conducted between the RAAF and TNI-AU, the others being Exercise Elang AusIndo (air combat); and Exercise Rajawali AusIndo (air mobility).
Hosting responsibility for these exercises is shared between Australia and Indonesia on a rotational basis.
