Jupiter Aerobatic Team arrives in Bangkok

Knights of the sky: Members of the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU) Jupiter Aerobatic Team (in red overalls) pose with their counterparts from the Royal Thai Air Force’ Blue Phoenix aerobatic team at Don Muang Air Force Base in Bangkok in this picture released by TNI-AU on Thursday. The Jupiter is in Bangkok to take part in a series of events celebrating the centenary of aviation in Thailand. (Courtesy of the Indonesian Air Force)

The Jupiter Aerobatic Team (JAT) will conduct its first ever demonstration in foreign air space by participating in a series of events to commemorate the centenary of Thai aviation in Bangkok, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) said in a media statement on Thursday.

The series of events are running from Sunday to Tuesday including, static displays, aerobatic shows and other activities. The centenary jubilee ceremony will be held on Monday and is to be attended by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and other high-ranking officials and officers.

A contingent of 65 JAT members and supporting personnel arrived in Bangkok’s Don Muang Air Force Base on Tuesday after a three-day journey from their home base at the Adisutjipto Air Force Base (AFB) in Yogyakarta.

Also taking part in the contingent is the Air Force Band.

TNI-AU flight training wing commander Col M. Khairil Lubis led the contingent while the aerobatic team is led by flight leader Lt. Col. Dedy Susanto. The JAT is also accompanied by team supervisor Col. Anang Nurhadi.

Technicians from the 102^nd Training Squadron and 043 Engineering Squadron are also taking part in the trip. Both squadrons are based at the Adisutjipto AFB.

Supporting personnel and other equipment were carried out by two C-130 Hercules heavy transport aircraft while the JAT personnel flew on seven KT-1 turboprop trainers.

Indonesian Ambassador to Bangkok Lutfi Rauf welcomed the aerobatic team upon arrival at Don Muang AFB. He was accompanied by air force attaché Col. A. Joko Takarianto and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) operations deputy director Group Capt. Thawonwat who represented RTAF commander-in-chief ACM Itthaporn Subhawong.  

“The JAT will perform various maneuvers depending on the weather conditions,” TNI-AU chief spokesman Cmdr. Azman Saleh said in the statement.

High Show maneuvers will be demonstrated during clear skies, allowing vertical movements such as the Jupiter Roll, Loop, X-Clover Leap, Jupiter Wheel, Mirror, Tango to Diamond, Kite Barrel and Jupiter Rollback.

Low Show maneuvers will be performed if vertical movements cannot be made. The repertoire includes the Jupiter Roll, Hi G-Turn, Jupiter Wheel, Screw Roll, Mirror, Roll Slide and Break Off.

Jupiter, which consists of TNI-AU flight instructors who are codenamed Jupiters, is the first foreign aerobatic team to perform in Thailand together with RTAF Blue Phoenix aerobatic team, which uses the Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainers. A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 will perform a solo demo.

Both RTAF and TNI-AU are the first air forces in ASEAN for some 30 years to conduct a bilateral exercise, codenamed Thainesia.