Indonesia, US marines hold joint exercise

JAKARTA: The US and Indonesian marines conducted an amphibious assault landing on Banongan Beach in Asembagus in the East Java town of Situbondo on Saturday during a joint war exercise called "Naval Engagement Activity *NEA* 2010".

An Indonesian Marine Corps information officer, Sgt. Kuwadi, told Antara the exercise involved 200 marines from Indonesia, 250 US Marine Corps personnel, two Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vehicles, nine Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs) and the US warship USS Tortuga.

Taskforce 73 Commander Rear Adm. Nora W. Tyson and NEA 2010 Taskforce Commander Col. Sutaryono were among senior officers witnessing the joint exercise.

The Indonesian Marine Corps soldiers also received training from their US counterparts on combat engineering, prisoner investigation and medical evacuation.

The joint exercise will continue Sunday in Karangtekok, which will focus on Military Operation on Urban Terrain (MOUT) and "Life, Fire and Demolition", while jungle survival and combat patrol exercises will be held in Selogiri Forest in Banyuwangi on Monday. - JP