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New book reveals historical significance of Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base
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Labor of love: Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base Commandant, First Marshal Andi Wijaya, holds his newly published book while posing with his crew during the book’s launch. (JP/Nedi Putra AW)
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newly launched book, penned by First Marshal Andi Wijaya and his team, reveals the history of Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in Malang, East Java, and its connection with an old Javanese kingdom.
Launched on Feb. 13, the book, titled 78 tahun Pangkalan TNI-AU Abdulrachman Saleh Lahir dan Besar di Lembah Bromo (78-year-old Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base Born and Raised in Bromo Valley), recounts the air base’s history, starting from its construction by the Dutch in 1940.
The 121-page book was compiled by Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base crew under its commandant First Marshal Andi Wijaya.
While the airbase was constructed during the Dutch colonial period, Andi revealed that it had a historical connection with the 13th century kingdom of Singosari.
“This air base was built in the former location of the Singosari kingdom as the predecessor to the Majapahit kingdom,” he said at the book launch.
The Dutch chose Malang as the site of Bugis Air Base, as it was formerly known, in 1937 after observing certain characteristics of the site that were beneficial to security and war strategy. The region is surrounded by mountains – such as Bromo, Arjuno and Kawi – which serve as a natural shield that protects it from enemy attacks.
The book also reveals the role of Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in the early years of Indonesia’s aviation history.
