Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the handover ceremony of the country’s first Lockheed Martin C-130J cargo plane on Mar. 8th at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta.
Jokowi arrived around 8:45 am accompanied by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo. Prior to the event, Jokowi first inspected the first of five C-130J that Indonesia has ordered from the United States.
Jokowi was then seen entering the cockpit of the aircraft. He also appeared to have a conversation with Prabowo. After inspecting the aircraft, the event continued with the symbolic handover of the aircraft by giving a replica key to Prabowo. Jokowi broke a clay pot filled with water and poured flower water over the aircraft.
The aircraft had arrived home in Indonesia a day earlier. The crew was welcomed by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force Air Marshal Agustinus Gustaf Brugman. Upon landing, the aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute.
The rest of the aircraft are expected to arrive home in June, July, October 2023, and January 2024. They are assigned to Squadron 31.
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