Indonesian Air Force Holds Exercise In Timika

Timika, Sept 24 (Antara) - The Indonesian air force is holding a three-day air defense exercise in Timika, Papua, starting on Tuesday. Timika air force base commander Lt Col Untung Suropati told Antara news agency the exercise involves two F-16 jet fighters and a Boeing maritime spy aircraft of the fifth Air Squadron of Ujung Pandang. Originally the Russian made Sukhoi war plane was to be involved but the plan was changed as Sukhoi is taking part in an exercise in other place, Untung said here on Tuesday. Around 100 ground personnel are involved in the exercise in Timika made up of military and police officials as well as officials from the civilian institutions such as the Mozes Kilangin airport of TImika and PT Freeport Indonesia, the US gold and copper mining giant. Untung said in the exercise, there would be simulation of air attacks to contribute to training ground personnel in facing air attacks. The F-16 jet fighter would also be shown in the simulation forcing a foreign aircraft, illegally entering the Indonesian air space, to land on the Mozes Kilangin airport. Untung said the exercise should not cause the local people to worry about anything. "It is only an exercise, there is no cause for concern," he said.