TNI Air Force Commander Marsma Fajar Adriyanto Involved in Close Encounter During Training Exercise
A routine training exercise involving the Indonesian air Force (TNI AU) took a tense turn when two F-16 fighter jets, including one piloted by Marsma Fajar Adriyanto, encountered US Navy F-18 Hornets. The incident, which occurred during a flight from Paya lebar to Darwin adn back, prompted an analysis of abnormal aircraft maneuvers and a lack of radio contact with air traffic control.The event began when Sector Post (Posek) II and the National Air Defense Operations Center (Popunas) detected what was initially believed to be five F-5 RSAF aircraft on a Paya Lebar-Darwin-Bandarwin-Darwin-Paya Lebar flight path. After approximately one hour of monitoring, the aircraft’s maneuvers were deemed abnormal.Between 14:00 and 15:00, Popunas and Posek II analyzed flight activities that had not established radio contact with Air Traffic Controller (ATC) at Soekarno-Hatta, Cengkareng, and Bali.
in response, the Indonesian Air Force scrambled two F-16 aircraft from their standby position at Iswahyudi Air Base (Lanud) in Magetan, East Java. Marsma Fajar Adriyanto piloted Falcon 1 (TS-1603), accompanied by Captain Ian.the second F-16, Falcon 2 (TS-1602), was flown by Captain Tonny and captain Satriyo, serving as a support fighter.
The situation escalated at 17:25 when Falcon 1 executed a close-up maneuver with two US Navy F-18 Hornets. The US Navy aircraft assumed an attacking position, placing Marsma Fajar Adriyanto’s F-16 in a precarious situation. Falcon 2 positioned itself as support. Subsequently, Falcon 1 observed a US Navy frigate moving eastward. Falcon 2 then performed a wing rock,a signal indicating that Falcon 1 was not perceived as a threat.
This incident highlights the complexities and potential risks involved in joint military training exercises, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and adherence to established protocols. The specific details of the “abnormal maneuvers” and the exact nature of the perceived threat remain key points of interest in understanding the full scope of the event.