Indonesian Air Force Steps Up Forest and Land Fire Response in South Sumatra

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Sri Mulyono Herlambang Air Force Base (Lanud SMH) is strengthening its support for forest and land fire response in South Sumatra through aerial patrols and hotspot monitoring, conducted on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

As part of the operation, helicopter patrols were conducted to monitor conditions on the ground and identify hotspots. The monitoring detected several hotspots in Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency, which were subsequently followed up with firefighting efforts.

Commander of the South Sumatra Air Operations Task Force and Commander of Lanud SMH, Colonel Asep Wahyu Wijaya, affirmed the importance of prioritizing the safety of all Lanud SMH personnel and aircraft crews involved in the operation.

“Prioritize flight and operational safety in every forest and land fire response activity,” the Air Base Commander said in a press release received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Asep also highlighted the need to optimize the role of the Indonesian Air Force through coordination and cooperation with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and other relevant agencies.

“The role of the Indonesian Air Force must be optimized in responding to forest and land fires in South Sumatra, with coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders as a priority,” he conveyed.

The aerial operation is part of the Indonesian Air Force’s efforts to assist the local government in responding to forest and land fires swiftly, in an integrated and measured manner. It is also to minimize their impact on communities and the environment through aerial monitoring and inter-agency coordination.