Pride in a patch

Thousands of Indonesian and Australian sailors, soldiers and aviators are now proudly wearing a military patch featuring a garuda and kangaroo, reflecting the integration of forces during Exercise Keris Woomera.

Commander Amphibious Force CAPT Chris Doherty presented patches to more than 80 Indonesian marines embarked in HMAS Choules during the exercise, the ADF’s largest overseas training activity this year.

“Standing alone, each creature (the garuda and kangaroo) is formidable,” CAPT Doherty said.

“Together, they represent something greater: two nations, two militaries and two warrior traditions choosing partners.

“When the garuda and kangaroo stand side by side, they tell every adversary that we are ready, that we are capable and we face the future together.”

On the ocean, beaches and fields in East Java, Exercise Keris Woomera is providing unique opportunities for ADF and personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI) to share seamanship skills and build warfare proficiency.

Closely linked have been HMAS Perth and Indonesian corvette KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda (SIM).

CO Perth CMDR Dylan White said training between the two vessels and crew included navigation, warfare and seamanship activities.

“Training with partners we haven’t worked with before helps us learn how to communicate and work together more smoothly,” CMDR White said.

“Perth and SIM have been able to improve our operations together with much better communication so we can now conduct more complex activities such as anti-submarine warfare training.”

Two Navy members talk while on board a ship. — SBLT Joshua Breeden, RAN, right, speaks with an Indonesian Navy officer on the bridge of HMAS Perth during a cross-deck activity with Indonesian Navy ship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda. Photo: LSIS Connor Morrison

Australia’s deployable geospatial survey team (DGST) have been plotting seabeds and measuring currents and tides with their Indonesian counterparts, analysing data together and briefing command.

Australian clearance divers have also been doing clandestine training operations with their Kopaska partners, the Indonesian Navy’s tactical frogmen and underwater demolition commando unit.

Mine warfare and clearance diving officer LEUT Brent Solomon said his team enjoyed demonstrating their capability and learning from the elite Kopaska unit.

“It’s a great opportunity to operate with our regional partners,” LEUT Solomon said.

“It shows we can operate as a combined force; that we are ready and can respond if necessary.”

CAPT Doherty said Exercise Keris Woomera was about building capacity and proficiency as a combined TNI/ADF force to respond to any challenges in the region.

“The security of our region is better served by both countries working together rather than separately,” he said.

“Our two nations’ personnel carry that message with their patches. The strength of the garuda, the power of the kangaroo and the partnership that binds our two nations.

“It says, ‘This is who we are and this is what we stand for’.”