April 10, 2026 | 01:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Air Force fleet escorted President Prabowo Subianto on his flight to Sleman, Yogyakarta, which departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, to Adisutjipto Air Base, Sleman Regency, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The presidential aircraft was escorted by four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets and two KAI T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft, a VVIP security measure by the Air Force.
This escort was part of the series of events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force that fell on April 9.
In the air, Prabowo chatted with the Indonesian Air Force pilots through the aircraft's communication channel. Prabowo conveyed his congratulations and appreciation to the soldiers on board.
"Foxtrot Five. Indonesia One. Thank you. On behalf of the entire nation, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, am proud of our air force. We are all proud of our ‘young eagles,’” said Prabowo, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's statement.
One of the fighter jet pilots expressed gratitude for Prabowo's support and attention. "We ask for your blessings so that we are always given strength in carrying out our duty of serving the nation and the state," said one of the pilots escorting Prabowo's aircraft.
The fighter jets escorted Prabowo's trip to Magelang, Central Java. The head of state landed in Sleman before continuing the journey by car.
Reported by Antara, the 80th anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force carries the theme of "Unlimited Dedication, Potent Indonesian Air Force, Advanced Indonesia."
The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU), Air Chief Marshal Mohammad Tonny Harjono, on this occasion requested his staff to improve the quality of weapons systems and human resources to strengthen the country's defense.
Tonny, in his address during the 80th anniversary celebration ceremony on Thursday, said that the Indonesian Air Force is introducing a plethora of new weapon systems. These include fighter jets, transport aircraft, and the placement of new radar awareness in radar units.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Air Force 80th Anniversary: Prabowo Calls to Guard Homeland
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