Indonesian Warship Joins Rimpac 2016 in Hawaii

Surabaya, E Java (Antara Bali) - Indonesian warship KRI Diponegoro (DPN-365) is taking part in a joint multilateral exercise dubbed The Rim of The Pacific (Rimpac) 2016 in Hawaii, from June to July.

Commander of the Indonesian Navys Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Darwanto saw off the warship to Hawaii from Madura Pier, Ujung, here, Friday, Lt Col Maman Sulaeman, spokesman of the Eastern Fleet Command, said here, Saturday.

Some 145 Indonesian naval officers including 45 marines, are aboard the warship, according to KRI DPN-365 Commander Lt Col Tunggul.

The biannual Rim of the Pacific Exercise is the worlds largest international maritime warfare exercise.

Indonesia joined Rimpac, which was organized for the first time in 1971, as observer in 2008. And in 2010, Indonesia sent several marines to the exercise.

The exercise is expected to improve the professionalism of Indonesian marines, Tunggul said.

The Indonesian warship will carry out the harbor phase from June 28 to July 11.

Sports and competition events, as part of Rimpac activities, will include sand volleyball, indoor volleyball, golf, and basketball, in addition to canoe padding, soccer, tennis, 5K run & fun, and sailing.

Among the 27 countries joining Rimpac 2016 are Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Brunei, in addition to Canada, Chile, Colombia, and Denmark. Also among the countries are France, Germany, India, and Italy, apart from Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Norway. China, Peru, and Korea are among the others, with the United States of America playing the host. (WDY)