SETTING THE STANDARD
of threats. With over 200 military events and visits per year, the FPD is actively engaged with the TNI and INP to develop comprehensive force protection, security and crisis action plans.
Following the suicide bombings of the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton Hotels in Jakarta on 17 July 2009, FPD in coordination with the American Embassy DAO, ODC and RSO assisted in accounting for all DoD personnel and associated assets, as
well as interviewing
military members and other U.S. government employees who were present in the hotels during the bombing, in order to gain immediate and actionable information to assist in
identifying the terrorists and attack methods involved. Another example of FPD direct support occurred during the PACOM Pacific Partnership disaster relief exercise, held throughout the North Maluku province during the summer months of 2010. The centrepiece of this exercise was the USNS Mercy hospital ship, requiring close coordination with and assistance from the TNI and INP for security support. The FPD in conjunction with NCIS conducted numerous security assessments of the various ports and helicopter landing zones, as well as the many medical, engineering assistance and community service project sites located across the North Maluku island chain. These assessments were utilised to build and establish solid security and crisis action plans, as well as to keep key
SPRING 2012 EDITION
decision makers apprised of the security environment so that an appropriate security posture could be maintained.
Protecting Dignitaries The FPD in coordination with the American Embassy DAO and RSO, is responsible for coordinating and providing force protection assistance and support to Protective Service Operations involving authorised U.S. military Flag and General officers visiting Indonesia. In support of this mission, the FPD routinely conducts
security
assessments for associated hotels, hospitals and meeting locations and carries out route vulnerability surveys to aid the protective detail in formulating a comprehensive security plan. In preparation for the November 2010 visit of President Barack Obama to Indonesia, the FPD utilised NCIS STAAT personnel to conduct executive protection training for PASPAMPRES, significantly enhancing interoperability and strengthening a strategic security relationship with the American Embassy. The FPD also provided support
to both the White House
Military Office and the Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet forward command element. This support included the conduct of numerous lodging, route and site vulnerability surveys, the synchronisation and facilitation of private sector security contacts, as well as providing daily ground-level situational briefings, all significantly contributing to a safe and successful Presidential visit.
Leading the Way
FPD Indonesia has set the standard for security programmes in the Asia- Pacific region through effective liaison, comprehensive engagement and mutually-supportive programmes. The FPD as a “force protection, force multiplier” in Indonesia has been proven; a direct result of the close cooperation and coordination achieved with the American Embassy RSO, Senior Defence Official (SDO)/ Defence Attaché, ODC, Indonesian military and police. The safety and security of our in-transit forces depends on it.
Scott M. Bernat is the Resident Agent in Charge and Chief of U.S. Military Security of the American Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia Force Protection Detachment (FPD). Since its establishment, FPD Indonesia has received several DoS Meritorious Honour Awards for the establishment and integration of an effective FP programme and security support to HA/DR operations as well as a White House Military Office commendation for outstanding security support to U.S. Presidential travel.
References
1. Department of Defense Force Protection Detachment Joint Standard Operating Procedures/Sep 2008
2. Overseas Security Advisory Council – OSAC
http://www.osac.gov
3. Asia Crisis and Security Group (ACSG)
http://www.acsgroup.org
4. ASIS International
http://www.asisonline.org 7 CounterTerrorGazette
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