REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU -- The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are holding a joint military training exercise called Elang Thainesia XVIII 2017 at the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, Riau Province.

"Through this joint exercise, we hope to be able to exchange our knowledge and improve our abilities," Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base Commander Marshall Age Wiraksono informed Antara in Pekanbaru on Monday.

He stated that the joint exercise involves 200 soldiers from RTAF and 100 from the Indonesian Air Force, and the training will be held from today for the next two weeks.

The training also involves six F16 fighter jets and two Hercules belonging to the RTAF, while the TNI AU is using F16 and Hawk 100/200 from air squadrons 16 and 12 of the Roesmin Nurjadin base.

He stated that the joint bilateral training is the 18th of its kind between the TNI AU and RTAF. This time, Pekanbaru is the host of the event after a similar training was held along with the Singaporean Air Force last week. 

Furthermore, Marshall Wiraksono expressed hope that the joint training would also strengthen bilateral ties between the related states. 

"In future, the 'people to people' contacts between us and Thailand would become closer. Hence, the communication skills of our soldiers, who are our countries' next leaders, would become better. There are several positive things we could take from here," he stated.

The joint training will be held in Riau's airspace, with some combat training patterns that have already been set by both militaries.

Meanwhile, Group Captain Suppachai Silanil from RTAF expressed gratitude for the welcome and support offered by the TNI AU and is optimistic that the training would go well.

"Apart from improving the ties between us, during the training, we could also exchange our knowledge and share experiences, tactics, and even culture. I believe this event would offer us huge benefits," Silanil added.

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