The 14th of September 2014 marks the 70th Anniversary of Australian Peacekeeping Operations. In order to commemorate this significant date, Defence Attaché Commodore (RAN) Bob Plath, Army Attaché Colonel Matt Campbell and Assistant Army Attaché, Warrant Officer Class Two David Hayes visited the Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Mission Centre (TNI PMPP) in Sentul. The Australian delegation was warmly welcomed by the Director for Operations and Planning, Colonel Heru Langlang Buana (representing Commander TNI PMPP, Brigadier General TNI Achmad Marzuki) as well as a number of other directors and key staff. Following a photography session in front of the ‘TNI Peacekeeper’ statue and viewing a very interesting video on PMPP, Commodore Plath briefly explained the history of Australian Peacekeeping Operations which commenced when four members of the ADF visited Indonesia as members of a UN Consular Commission in 1947. Australia considers this activity as one of our earliest diplomatic and military interactions with Indonesia. Colonel Heru congratulated the Australian delegation on the commemoration then outlined TNI’s current commitment to UN Peacekeeping Operations, including a planned increase of personnel to the TNI Engineer Taskforce Konga XXXVII-C/Minusca. A discussion on ADF/TNI cooperation in the field of peacekeeping was then held, including the roles and tasks of females on UN missions. Australia and Indonesia are very much looking forward to the conduct of combined peacekeeping training in October (Australia) and November (Indonesia) this year. This very meaningful visited was concluded with an exchange of gifts and a brief tour of the PMPP training area and facilities. The Australian delegation was very happy to have been greeted by PMPP senior staff on this very significant date. Together we can unite and strengthen TNI/ADF cooperation in the field of peacekeeping into the future! |