First Time Ever, Oz Joins Indonesia-US Garuda Shield Military Exercise

TheIndonesia.id - The Australian Defense Force for the first time participated in the Garuda Shield, a two-week joint military exercise historically held between the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, who took office as Chief of the Australian Army on 2 July 2022, is currently in Indonesia to attend the opening ceremony of the Garuda Shield Exercise in Baturaja, South Sumatra, Indonesia.

"Indonesia is my first foreign relations priority since I started this task. It is very important to always enhance the cooperation that has existed between our two armies," said Lieutenant General Stuart in a written statement to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

He explained that Australia would focus on the exercises as a means to further enhance the military response and build cooperative relations with Indonesia. "By bringing together the strengths we have, we will continue to build lasting confidence and trust," said Stuart.

A total of 90 Australian troops will participate in the exercise, focusing on joint arms interoperability through opportunities to train with the Indonesian military and strengthening Australia-Indonesia bilateral military ties. A company of infantry from the 5th Battalion of the 1st Combat Brigade in Darwin, as well as observers from the Special Operations Command and Combat Training Center will participate in the Garuda Shield exercise.