Jakarta (ANTARA) – Australian Army Attaché Col. David Ghandy praised the Wirra Jaya Ausindo 2026 joint exercise, saying it provided valuable experience in strengthening bilateral ties between Indonesia and Australia.
Ghandy congratulated all participants on completing the exercise during its closing ceremony in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday, October 9.
He said the soldiers had demonstrated the Australian Army’s core values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence, while emphasizing teamwork and cohesion.
The bilateral exercise demonstrated both forces’ ability to work together effectively, he said.
Ghandy said his interactions with contingent commanders and firsthand observations of the exercise’s final activities and live-fire drills had strengthened his positive impression of the joint training.
He said the exercise had created many memorable experiences with Indonesian military personnel and Australian Army colleagues, adding that he remained personally committed to maintaining close ties between the two countries.
Ghandy also expressed hope that the bilateral exercise would benefit participants and strengthen the friendships forged during the training.
Wirra Jaya Ausindo is a strategic collaboration between selected Indonesian Army and Australian Army personnel. The exercise ran from September 18 to October 9 in Semarang, Central Java.
The exercise involved about 125 Indonesian Army soldiers and 77 Australian Army personnel. Training covered combat first aid, military self-defense, combat shooting, casualty handling and drone operations.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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