Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have deployed a specialized paratrooper unit to combat forest fires in remote areas of Riau that are inaccessible by ground transport.
“We have prepared our top paratroopers to execute freefall jumps directly into targeted areas to extinguish the fires,” Maj. Gen. Agus Hadi Waluyo, Commander of the XIX/Tuanku Tambusai Military District, said in a statement on Monday.
The paratroopers are drawn from various elite units under the Disaster Mitigation Quick Response Force (PRCPB), trained to reach fire zones rapidly.
Waluyo noted that personnel deployed for the mission are trained to operate in extreme terrain, perform helicopter rappelling with heavy gear, and utilize paramotors to access remote locations.
All officers are outfitted with specialized protective equipment.
The deployment reflects the military’s commitment to supporting inter-agency efforts to control wildfires spreading across several Indonesian provinces.
Military equipment, personnel, and tactical capabilities have been mobilized to contain the blazes and assist affected residents, Waluyo added.
Waluyo briefed President Prabowo Subianto on the unit’s operational readiness during a meeting in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday.
“We have prepared Alpha Team for deployment,” Waluyo told the president.
President Prabowo commended the initiative to deploy airborne forces for wildfire control, including water delivery and humanitarian aid distribution.
“I believe this is a first in our history. Outstanding!” Prabowo said, adding that military special forces and paratroopers must be mobilized whenever rapid response is needed to protect the public.
Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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