By Xinhua,
Jakarta : The United States and Indonesian navies started a five-day joint exercise in East Java province on Monday, Antara news wire reported here.
The exercise so called “Naval Engagement Activity or NEA 2008”,involved 100 personnel from the U.S. Navy and 150 others from the Indonesian Navy, Commander of the Eastern Fleet Command Commodore Slamet Yulistiyono said.
Yulistiyono said, the U.S. Navy deployed four warships namely USS Tortuga, Ford, Jarret and USNS Safeguard.
“The NEA joint exercise between the Indonesian and the U.S. navies has been conducted for several times and it was proven to benefit both navies,” he said.
“Most importantly, the joint exercise is aimed to improve soldiers’ professionalism while enhancing bilateral diplomatic ties,” the officer said.
The U.S. Commander Task Force (CTF) 73, Rear Admiral Nora Tysonsaid that the U.S. Navy has committed to strengthening the cooperation with the Indonesian Navy and got a lot of benefit fromthis joint exercise.
The exercise would include Centrixs test aboard the USS Tortuga,health symposium, military observer, U.S. Coast Guard training, diving in Surabaya western sailing route and marines’ training at Karang Tekok, Situbondo of the province, among others.
Both navies would join an exercise to lift a sunken ship’s bodyfrom Surabaya waters.