15 February 2024, in the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, precisely at the Main Base of Indonesian Army Naval Force III. In there, Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Yudo Margono with the Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals discussed the latest report on the Chinese Coast Guard Ship entering North Natuna waters.
"Good afternoon colleagues! Let's start the meeting today." As he salute the Admirals and walk to his seat.
Everyone stand up and salute, "Good afternoon Chief Admiral!"
"At ease gentleman!" Replies Chief Admiral as he sat down. Then one of his aide gave him the document for today meetings. While he open and read the document, he ask his fellow. "Any interesting report for today?"
"Yes sir! We received a report from the command in Natuna that several Chinese Coast Guard vessels have entered North Natuna waters. Our stationed patrol there managed to repel them despite the number. That's all sir!" Said Vice Admiral Otto.
"Hmm... how are the other region?"
"So far so good Chief!" Replies by the other Rear Admiral tasked on the matter.
"Then... how about we hold a large exercise in North Natuna? In response to the increasing presence of the Chinese Coast Guard and to refresh our field tactics."
"Sounds good Chief, but we have to consider the logistics for this exercise. Can the current budget cover this exercise?" Said by Vice Otto while asking to the other Vice.
"Based on the financial report, we can. Last year we used less of the state budget than the year before. So we have quite a lot of budget reserves."
"Alright... then what kind of exercises will we hold? Any opinion? Vice and Rear Admirals?" Ask by the Chief.
"Sea battle drills, marines landing, as well as precision shooting to help the ground troops clear the landing area might be possible Chief!." Replies by the energetic Rear Admiral.
"Hmm... then, based on designated ships and availability, we will likely use 17 warships from the fleet and 3 Landing Platform Dock ships for this exercise. Anyone have other suggestions?"
"I don't think so Chief, but we will reassign several warships to guard other region." Said by the Rear Admiral.
"When will the exercise be held, Chief?" Ask the energetic Rear Admiral.
"Hmm... is the 25th - 19th of February vacant?"
"It seems to be vacant Chief." Replied by Vice Otto.
"Alright, let's choose the 25th - 29th of February 2024 with agenda of sea battle training, the landing of marines, and naval assault on target areas. Are there any questions?"
"No Chief Admiral!"
2 hours passed after the initial meeting, where Chief Admiral and Vice Admirals are having secondary meetings. Several low-ranking officers resigned after being tasked or instructed from the Chief himself. The secondary meeting mainly discuss around specifics and details for the upcoming training exercise. Vice Admiral Otto was also at the meeting because he is currently tasked to patrol around Natuna Sea. He was accompanied by Agas, the energetic Rear Admiral and his right-hand man.
Vice Admiral Otto is a high-ranking officer at the age of 26. Despite his youth, he has earned several achievement that brought him to the position of one of Vice Admiral of the Indonesian Navy. With his posture, he was bigger than most Southeast Asian. Rear Admiral Agas is also relatively in the same age, however, he suffers from an eye defect and is forced to wear glasses. Despite the condition, his brilliant thinking was the key to his current position. They were both the captain and right-hand man of the frigate KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata.
The next day, Vice Admiral Otto and Rear Admiral Agas travelled to Yogyakarta by commercial aircraft and moved to the harbour of Tanjung Adikarto Yogyakarta. There, Vice Admiral Otto was busy looking at the list of ammunition and foodstuffs for KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Agas organized the crew before their departure this time.
"Report! All goods have been loaded onto the ship Vice!"
"Good job, get into the ship and prepare the crew! We'll be sailing in a moment." Replies by Otto while busy completing the to-do list.
"Yes sir!"
After finising the list, Vice Otto hail the port crewman before entering the ship. After managing to reach the bridge, he greet the crew and his man. "Rear Admiral Agas, what is the condition of the crew?"
"Everything is under control sir, we can sail as soon as possible."
"Good. Raise the anchor. Full speed ahead!"
"Raise the anchor! Full speed ahead!" Repeated by the seamen.
At 16.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB), frigate KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata left the harbour and sailed towards Natuna Island. On the way, they met other warships that were also assigned for the training in Natuna. This journey took 4 days and 3 nights until they finally arrived in Natuna. When the fleet still docking in Natuna, Navy Chief Admiral Yudo Margono has already divided the fleet into 3, namely Fleet 7, Fleet 8, and Fleet 9 whose leadership has been handed over to Vice Admiral Otto. On that day, all high-ranking TNI-AL officers held a final meeting before the grand exercise was held.
"Good afternoon colleagues!" Said by the Chief.
"Good afternoon Chief!"
"What is the current condition of the entire fleet?"
"Report! Fleet 7 is in combat-ready condition!" Replies by the tasked Vice Admiral.
"Good."
"Report! Fleet 8 is also ready for battle!"
"Continue."
"Report! Fleet 9 is in perfect condition! Report completed!" Said by Vice Otto.
"Report received! Immediately return to your fleet! I will oversee the command of the fleet from here. For the next 3 days, conduct regular patrols in shifts before the exercise. Fleet 7 will go first and other follow in 8 hourly shift. Our duty is to protect Indonesian waters from any kind of threats. Are there any questions?"
"No Chief!"
"Good, return to your positions."
Everyone replies, "Yes Chief!"
The 9th fleet led by Vice Admiral Otto consists of KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331) - 111 personnel, KRI Kapitan Patimura (371) - 48 personnel, KRI Diponegoro (365) - 80 personnel, KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda (367) - 78 personnel; With the support ship KRI Makassar (590) - 618 personnel + staff, 22 military vehicles/tactical vehicles, 15 trucks, 3 helicopters and KRI Banjarmasin (592) - 686 personnel + staff, 5 helicopters, 13 tanks, 20 trucks.
For the exercies, the 7th & 8th Fleets will be tasked to conduct sea battle exercises and sea attacks on target areas. Meanwhile, the 9th Fleet will conduct marine troop landing and sea attack exercises to designated landing areas. There are still 3 days before the grand exercise, but Navy Chief Yudo Margono suddenly instructed the entire fleet to train before the grand exercise.
On 22 February 2024, the 9th Fleet conducted their training and preparation until night. The results were quite satisfactory before they finally docked back to the military harbour.
"Good afternoon Vice Admiral!" Salute Colonel Iwan to Vice Otto in the port.
"Good afternoon Colonel Iwan! Give me the situation report!"
"Report! All ammunition, fuel, and supplies have been replenished and are ready for action!" said Colonel Iwan in his disciplined pose.
"Report received, return to your position."
"Yes sir!" As Colonel Iwan salute again and returning to his place.
The next day, all the Navy officers and crew rested up for their grand training exercise. In the meantime, their empty schedules were filled with combat drills from the Air Force as entertainment in the meantime.