EAST JAVA, Indonesia –
Key military leaders from the United States, Indonesia, and other participating nations, including U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Williams, deputy commander for operations, 25th Infantry Division, and Indonesian Maj. Gen. Widyargo Ikoputra, gathered in East Java, Indonesia, on Sept. 2, 2024, for a Combined Arms Rehearsal (CAR) in preparation for the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) during Super Garuda Shield 2024. This rehearsal set the stage for the final execution of the exercise, ensuring synchronization across all nations, units, and levels of command.
Super Garuda Shield 2024 is a major annual U.S.-Indonesia bilateral exercise that has been expanded into a combined joint, multilateral training event. The exercise will include a Joint Staff Exercise (STAFFEX), CALFEX, Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP), and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), among others. These events aim to enhance interoperability, readiness, and the overall capability of the participating forces.
The CAR provided a platform for leaders to brief their roles within the exercise plan and discuss the specific actions they will take during each operation phase, such as troop movements, communication protocols, and response strategies. The rehearsal emphasized the importance of a common operating picture, ensuring that all personnel, from the highest command to the lowest level, are aligned with the exercise's objectives.
Reinforcing the collaborative spirit that underpins the exercise, U.S. Army Capt. Eric Ruiz said, "We tried our best to get some of the junior Soldiers involved to help build our capabilities. It's crucial to be operationally ready, even in challenging environments like extreme weather and jungles. It's not an ideal place to fight, but when you get the team actively engaged—showing them why we do what we do and why it matters—they start to understand the expectations."
Capt. Jacqueline Ward, an infantry officer with 2nd Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, further elaborated on the CAR's significance: "A CAR brings together any participant that is going to be executing the live fire in this sense and gets everyone on the same sheet of music. It gives you a broad overview of what it's going to look like, and then we dive in on a micro level and are able to see each moving piece starting from fires to maneuver."
Ward also highlighted the importance of using a terrain model for the rehearsal: "We decided to go with a terrain model for this CAR just because there are a lot of important terrain features that our Soldiers are going to be maneuvering through with open danger areas, hilltops, things like that. This was a great way for us to display those different changes that they’re going to experience while they’re maneuvering and give a good overview for everyone as to what to expect once we get out there."
Reflecting on the multinational aspect of the exercise, Ward stated, "Overall, working with our Indo-Pacom partners has been a great experience, especially for this exercise. We’ve all worked really well together so far. Everyone’s patient with each other, understanding that there are language barriers, but we’ve been really able to move past all that and still get the point across of what our mission here is—building that teamwork, that camaraderie, and just that partnership all together."
The significance of Super Garuda Shield 2024 extends beyond immediate tactical readiness. It represents a critical opportunity for generational readiness, inspiring and preparing junior leaders who will be at the forefront of future operations. The exercise enhances current capabilities, laying the foundation for sustained military cooperation and preparedness in the Indo-Pacific region and showcasing our interoperability.
Super Garuda Shield 2024 will conclude on Sept. 6, 2024, marking another significant milestone in the U.S.-Indonesia Major Defense Partnership. The exercise conclusion is not an endpoint but a testament to the hard work, dedication, and successful collaboration of all involved, contributing to the broader goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.