Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Four F16 jet fighters will escort planes carrying ASEAN heads of state/government to Bali for a summit in November, a spokesman said.
"Where air territory is concerned, we will escort the journey of the heads of state/government from the national defense territory to Bali using F16 jet fighters until they land," Commander of the Ngurah Rai Air Base Lt. Col. Jumarto said on Sunday.
In addition, he said the air base will also prepare a company of Air Force Special Force (Paskhas) troops to help secure the ASEAN leaders' journey.
Paskhas was a unit of land troops who had capabilities in air, land and sea systems. But in operations the tasks and responsibilities of Paskhas troops were much directed towards defending air bases against enemy's attacks, he said.
He said Chief of the Udayana Regional Military Command Maj. Gen. Leonard in the capacity as the commander of ASEAN Summit safeguarding operations had ordered each element to work to the best of their capabilities.
As an element responsible for safeguarding air territory, the Air Force also had conducted a number of exercises, including escorting planes until they landed, he said.
"We have made various preparations since a few weeks ago," he said.*
