- Antara/ MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
VIVAnews – The United States military aspires to enhance cooperation with Indonesia and the neighboring countries in the efforts of disaster alert mechanism and more effective humanitarian aid in coastal areas prone to natural disaster. It is known that coastal areas in the Pacific Ocean, including Indonesia, are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
This issue was one of the agendas brought by the U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Scott van Buskirk during his three-day visit to Indonesia.
“Coastal areas in the Pacific Ocean, as what happened in Japan recently shows, are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. Even this year the U.S. was hit by cyclone. Indonesia is also hit by natural disasters frequently. So the channeling of emergency aid has been an important issue for the navy of many countries,” said van Buskirk in a press conference in Jakarta, June 16, 2011.
According to him, among the navies of many countries the issue of creating a standard for communication and coordination in case one of the areas involved is hit by natural disaster. The military ship closest to the affected area can come directly to provide emergency aid for the settlers.
“The point is an effective coordination, so that we can know how to act fast. The 7th Fleet, for example, has some ships and airplanes for rapid reaction tasks. We can perform the tasks well, not only how to act fast but also to coordinate for response,” said van Buskirk.
The fleet under his authority has the capability to channel aid to areas in different countries that need it. This is what it recently did in Japan which was shaken by earthquake and tsunami last March. The 7th Fleet made Singapore as the logistic center for aid distribution.
Thus van Buskirk hopes for coordination with the government of the neighboring countries such as Indonesia and Philippines. “This is one of the important collaborations that we seek. And Admiral Soeparno (TNI Navy Chief of Staff) welcomed this issue” said van Buskirk.
As the commander of U.S. Military 7th Fleet, which operates from the western Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, van Buskirk authorizes 70 ships with various types, 200 airplanes and 40,000 personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Van Buskirk was visiting Indonesia for three days since June 15, 2011. During his visit he met with TNI Chief of Navy Admiral Soeparno and Commander of Western Fleet Rear Admiral Hari Bowo. Van Buskirk also spoke to students at SESKOAL/Navy War College.
Translated by Indah Lestari
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