Australian Army aviators forged important relationships with their colleagues from the Indonesian Army’s aviation service during an airworthiness course, which members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) attended for the first time. 

The three-day supervisor operational airworthiness course, conducted at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane in February, included personnel from the Indonesian Army Aviation Center, which commands five operational squadrons and an aviation training centre.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Green, of Aviation Command, said the course provided TNI personnel with the rules Defence Aviation uses to operate in a safe and airworthy manner. 

“The system governs all aviation operations across Defence,” Lieutenant Colonel Green said. 

“During the course, we demonstrate to the Indonesians how the regulations came about and how they impact daily operations so that commanders and staff can make informed decisions about risk management.”

Lieutenant Colonel Bayu Setyo Prabowo, Commander of Indonesia’s 11th Squadron, which operates Bell 412 and Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardians, said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“I can tell you that from my perspective, and I’m sure my comrades are also agreeing with me, that when I look at the Australians around me, I see only professionals, only great people,” Lieutenant Colonel Prabowo said. 

He said he hoped the Australian Army would continue delivering the course to the Indonesian Army. 

“It has been an honour and a privilege for me to learn something from the Australian Army,” he said.