The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In an attempt to minimize flight accidents within the Indonesian Air Force, the Force has imposed zero tolerance for reckless accidents, said a leading Air Force officer.
"We have established a kind of road map to zero accidents, although we all know that accidents are a difficult thing to avoid," Air Force chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Herman Prayitno said Monday.
Speaking to the media after chairing the 61st Anniversary of the Force at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in East Jakarta, Herman said pilots and supporting flight divisions must exercise caution and obey procedures.
"Proper training is imperative. If we follow all the procedures, we can be confident that we are safe," Herman, himself a fighter pilot, said.
"Accidents can be avoided if we are not careless ... They usually occur when procedures are violated."
Addressing the anniversary ceremony, Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto said that enacting safety procedures must be a priority among the Air Force's pilots and supporting officers.
"I hope that all Air Force personnel will always prioritize safety in all military operations -- both war and non-war," Djoko said in a written statement, which was read out by Herman.
Djoko said that in concurrence with the Force's 61st anniversary, the Air Force should be ready to defend the country with "zero tolerance" of accidents.
"Flight safety is a key to the success of the Air Force in performing its task," the TNI chief said.
"As an integral part of the TNI, the Air Force is associated with sophisticated technology and managing expensive equipment. If some of this is damaged or broken, it will not be easy to mend the parts quickly because of a long repair process and high costs."
Djoko said that this sophisticated technology should mean that Air Force personnel are diligent, conscientious and have high levels of discipline.
He said the country is still facing the difficult test of global competition and is dealing with poverty, natural disasters and the external threat of terrorism. Therefore, the Indonesian Air Force needs to perform well to work to overcome these problems.
Present at the ceremony were Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Slamet Subijanto and National Police chief Gen. Sutanto.
The ceremony was marked with an aerial acrobatic show from F-5 Tigers and Hawk 109 and 209 jet fighters flying above the crowds in an arrow formation and marching band performances. It was attended by hundreds of Air Force personnel.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, 497 Air Force personnel were awarded the Swa Bhuana Paksa Nararya award from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for their services. The Air Force chief, representing the President, symbolically presented the awards to the recipients.
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