Super Garuda Shield 2023

The joint exercise "Super Garuda Shield 2023" (SGS), which started on August 31 in various locations on Monday (11/9), ended with a drill to attack operational targets on land.

Thousands of soldiers from at least five countries—namely Indonesia, the United States (US), Singapore, Japan, and Australia—took part in the final exercise known as the "Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise" (CALFEX).

There are also dozens of combat vehicles, including Indonesian Air Force F-16 fighter planes, rocket shooters, and Apache attack helicopters belonging to Indonesia and the US, as well as Australia's Abrams tanks.

In the scenario, the exercise was intended to destroy the last remaining enemy base.

Starting with aerial fire support (BTU) from two F-16 fighter aircraft belonging to the TNI-AU, followed by rocket fire from launchers belonging to Indonesia and the US.

Then two Apache helicopters belonging to the TNI-AD and US Army, and one helicopter belonging to the US Marines, played a role in paralyzing the last enemy defense weapons.

After the enemy defense space was opened, assault soldiers from Indonesia, the US, Japan, Singapore, and Australia moved to open up space by destroying the remaining mines.

The final attack was marked by the advance of a combined formation of Leopard tanks belonging to the TNI-AD and Abrams tanks belonging to the Australian Army.

The enemy base, which was illustrated with a giant target flag, was captured in less than two hours.

The peak exercise at the end of the SGS 2023 event was witnessed by the highest leaders from each participating country, namely from Indonesia, the US, Australia, Japan, Singapore, England, and France, plus 12 observer countries, namely Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, and Timor Leste.

Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad, Major General TNI Haryanto, said that, in contrast to previous years, this time the number of countries taking part in this exercise had increased significantly.

"In 2022, the number of land forces will be larger. However, in 2023, this will be a truly combined exercise involving three dimensions—land, sea, and air forces—with quite large numbers," explained Haryanto.

However, there were several exercises that had to be cancelled, such as operations at the airfield due to the eruption of Mount Semeru.

Meanwhile, Major General Jered Helwig, Commanding General of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, US Army, said the TNI had succeeded in demonstrating the ability to coordinate differences between participating countries.

"It's amazing to see the way we work together, each country building strong ties like we just saw in Calfex. "It's amazing to see our country uniting with Indonesia; the TNI is doing well," said Helwig.

The "Super Garuda Shield 2023" joint exercise, which is only a few weeks after the "Talisman Saber" exercise in Australia, is one of more than 40 army and joint exercises that the US participates in every year as part of Operation Pathways.

The US Department of Defense calls this operation a collection of multinational exercises across the Indo-Pacific, which is a key pillar of the US integrated deterrence strategy.

The growing willingness among allies and partners to participate in multinational exercises across the Indo-Pacific is a key indicator that US strategy in the region is bearing fruit.

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