Three F-16s cross Jakarta skies in Merdeka Run drill
On Saturday morning, the same jets are scheduled for the opening flypast, joined by a CN-295, EC-725 helicopter and paratroopers.
The Indonesian Air Force said three F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets that crossed the skies over Jakarta early Friday were part of a rehearsal for the Merdeka Run series in the 81st anniversary of Indonesia's independence. Indonesian Air Force information office chief I Nyoman Suadnyana said the three aircraft took off from Lanud Iswahjudi in Magetan, headed to the Monumen Nasional area and then landed at Lanud Halim Perdanakusuma in East Jakarta. According to the Air Force, on Saturday (29/8) the three F-16s will fly again in a flypast for the opening of the 8-kilometer race, which starts at 04.00 WIB from Istana Negara. The air display also involves a CN-295 carrying paratroopers and an EC-725 Caracal helicopter carrying a giant flag.