The Royal Australian Air Force's Indonesian Safety and Airworthiness Program (ISAP) team recently presented to the Indonesian Air Force's (TNI AU) Safety Workshops at Halim Air Force Base, Jakarta.
The ISAP team have worked in partnership with TNI AU counterparts for more than a decade through the TNI AU/RAAF Safety and Airworthiness Joint Working Group (SAJWG). The aim is to agree on, implement and progress long-term plans of cooperation on safety and airworthiness.
One of these activities was the SAJWG's Tool Control Improvement Program at SKATEK 021, a medium-level aircraft maintenance squadron at Halim Air Force Base.
Warrant Officer Dimitri Dufour, from the RAAF's Indonesian Safety and Airworthiness Program, and Warrant Officer 82 Wing, Warrant Officer Ricki Kiely, presented at the workshop.
As highly qualified and experienced aircraft technicians, they worked closely with their TNI AU peers to help develop and deliver the workshop.
The workshop involved Indonesian and Australian subject-matter experts upgrading the tool control facility, training and procedures.
"As part of the Tool Control Project, which commenced in 2023, the SAJWG team supported the construction of an exemplar tool control facility and drafted tool control procedures at Halim Air Force Base SKATEK 021," Warrant Officer Dufour said.
"The key objective of the workshop was to introduce best-practice tool control, and walk through the new tool control facility and procedures at SKATEK 021."
'The key outcome of the workshop was that the engineering officers would return to their units and introduce new procedures within their own units.'
The workshops followed the upgrading of SKATEK 021's tool control room, installation of improved racking and specialist tools, and development of supporting procedures.
"The workshop was attended by engineering officers across TNI AU Squadrons," Warrant Officer Dufour said.
"It supported discussions with RAAF and TNI AU members on best-practice tool control. The key outcome of the workshop was that the engineering officers would return to their units and introduce new procedures within their own units."
The SAJWG is recognised as a valuable and enduring part of TNI AU and RAAF engagement. The tool control workshop at SKATEK 021 once again demonstrated mutual cooperation between close partners, enhancing safety and airworthiness in both Air Forces.
The jointly developed SKATEK 021 upgrades exemplify the benefits afforded by this approach.
"The workshop was well accepted by all attendees," Warrant Officer Dufour said.
"Following the close-out meeting of the workshop, it was acknowledged by the senior officer in attendance that TNI AU would establish new projects across TNI AU to improve their tool control facilities and procedures.
"The highlight was the engagement of all attendees. It was enlightening to hear from the engineering officers that they acknowledged that improving airworthiness is essential across TNI AU, and that tool control is an essential element of airworthiness. They were keen to return to their units to introduce new procedures within their own facilities."
