36th TAS Mobile Training Team conducts Airfield Operations Training with Indonesian Air Force
JAKARTA, Indonesia – U.S. Airmen with the 36th Tactical Advisory Squadron trained Indonesian Air Force personnel during a Mobile Training Team engagement in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 24-28, 2026.
The bilateral training focused on aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle operations, as well as maintenance and emergency airfield lighting systems. The engagement marked the second iteration of this type of training in Indonesia.
“This engagement was one step toward helping our partners meet their airfield operations objectives under the building partnership capacity mission,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Tomin, a 36th TAS air adviser.
The defense cooperation framework between the U.S. and Indonesia is centered around the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership, which outlines key mission sets, including exercises and operational partnerships.
“Mobile training team missions allow the 36th Tactical Advisory Squadron to work directly with partner nations and provide training based on their operational needs,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Richard Bazell, 36th TAS advanced air adviser and team lead. “These engagements help us build relationships, understand partner requirements and support their efforts to develop capabilities for future operations.”
The 36th TAS acquired subject matter experts from across the 36th Wing, including a fire protection craftsman, vehicle maintenance mechanic and an electrical contingency instructor.
Their efforts focused on firetruck maintenance, operations and emergency airfield lighting systems to enhance the Indonesian Air Force’s ability to respond to airfield emergencies.
Air Force instructors noted the training enhances their capability to work alongside Indonesia.
“The goal was to give the Indonesian Air Force personnel practical instructions on how emergency airfield lighting equipment is set up and used to support airfield operations,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Taylor, an electrical contingency instructor with the 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers.
The lighting system provides reliable visual guidance and illumination for aircraft operations when primary airfield lighting or power sources are unavailable.
“I came here specifically to help train on the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Delafunte, a fire truck and refueling maintenance craftsmen assigned to the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “I helped the Indonesian firefighters with component identification, troubleshooting and overall maintenance of the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle.”
The ARFF vehicle training enables rapid respond to airfield emergencies, high-intensity fuel and aircraft fires, and joint support between U.S. and Indonesia to protect military assets.
This type of engagement supports the 36th TAS mission to advise, assist and support partners across the Indo-Pacific through airfield operation instructions and technical exchanges.
“For the future we plan to continue to provide EALS training, covering maintenance and engineers’ assistant guidance on where to place the equipment,” Bazell said. “We hope through these engagements we can strengthen their airfield operations and our partnership.” -30-
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
