NusaBali reports that the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), together with other services, are conducting earthquake and tsunami disaster management readiness drills as part of an operation called 2026 Kogabwilhan II (Joint Regional Defense Command II). On its sixth day, Saturday, 08 August 2026, the exercise entered its field application phase, centered on the Mertasari Beach area in Sanur Kauh Village, South Denpasar District, Denpasar City.
The activity assesses personnel readiness, operational procedures, command and control, and inter-agency coordination in the face of a possible large-scale disaster.
The Commander of Kogabwilhan II, Air Marshal Muzafar, was present to observe the exercise together with the Commander of Military Regional Command (Kodam) IX/Udayana, Major General Piek Budyakto—acting as the Commander of the Integrated Joint Task Force (Pangkogasgabpad)—as well as officials from TNI Headquarters, Kogabwilhan II, and the Bali Provincial Government.
”This Operational Readiness Exercise aims to test the readiness of procedures, command and control, interoperability, and inter-agency synergy in facing large-scale disaster scenarios,” said Muzafar. Continuing, he said the exercise also aims to align perspectives and enhance the capabilities of every element so they can provide a rapid, precise, integrated, and coordinated response when a disaster occurs.
The exercise involves elements from the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a Kogabwilhan II command structure, as well as the National and Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BNPB/BPBD), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the National Police (Polri), local governments, health service providers, and other relevant ministries/agencies.
Bali was selected as the exercise location due to the potential threat of earthquakes and tsunamis. Furthermore, the high mobility of residents and tourists on the “Island of the Gods” necessitates robust disaster preparedness. During the preceding five days, the massive joint exercise took place at the command headquarters, encompassing the drafting of the Operation Plan, determining the Course of Action, refining the plan, conducting a Tactical Floor Game (TFG), and, finally, the troop deployment of the Joint Integrated Task Force (Kogasgabpad). On the sixth day, Saturday, 08 August, the exercise transitioned to field application exercises.
In addition to testing operational capabilities, the exercise included social outreach measures, during which personnel distributed some 1,200 packages of necessities to communities surrounding the exercise area. A health outreach program offering free medical treatment was also held at Puputan Niti Mandala Renon Field, which—within the exercise scenario—was simulated to become an evacuation site in the event of a disaster.
The Head of Information for Military Regional Command (Kodam) IX/Udayana, Colonel (Infantry) Amrizal Nasution, stated that the exercise served as a means to test the readiness of personnel and units, as well as Kodam IX/Udayana’s ability to integrate Indonesian National Armed Forces assets with relevant agencies for disaster management.
”This exercise serves as a means to test the readiness of personnel and units—including command and control effectiveness—and Kodam IX/Udayana’s ability to integrate the armed forces with relevant elements to ensure a rapid, precise, and coordinated response when facing disasters,” he said.
Through the emergency preparedness exercise, the Kodam IX/Udayana Joint Integrated Task Force and all participating elements are expected to be better prepared to handle emergencies. The ultimate goal is to ensure that disaster management responses can be executed rapidly and in an integrated manner to protect the public.
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