Hawaii Guard, Indonesia Mark 20 Years of State Partnership

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Hawaii National Guard leaders met with Indonesian military and government officials June 8-12 to share lessons in disaster response and reserve force development and mark the 20th anniversary of the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program between the Hawaii National Guard and Indonesia.

The visit brought together military officials to cooperate on disaster preparedness, cultural outreach and community engagement. Soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard's 111th Army Band, Na Koa, joined Hawaii National Guard leaders in Surabaya and Jakarta, serving as cultural ambassadors during partnership events and commemorations of the 250th anniversary of America's independence.

"The State Partnership Program is called the State Partnership Program, but it really is the State Friendship Program," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, the adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard. "The relationships and friendships we've built over the years support both of our countries. Those personal connections are what make this partnership so strong. As we celebrate 20 years together, we're also looking forward to the next 20."

Established in 2006, the Hawaii-Indonesia State Partnership Program has facilitated hundreds of exchanges focused on disaster response, aviation, medical readiness, cybersecurity and professional development. This visit showcased the breadth of the partnership, spanning military cooperation, disaster preparedness, cultural outreach and community engagement.

The delegation's first official engagements took place June 8 at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, where Hawaii National Guard leaders met with embassy representatives to discuss regional priorities and opportunities for future collaboration. Discussions focused on reserve force development, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and the continued growth of the Hawaii-Indonesia State Partnership Program.

Discussions on future cooperation continued with leaders from Indonesia's National Reserve Component Agency. Logan provided an overview of the Hawaii National Guard and shared best practices for developing and sustaining a reserve force that supports national defense and domestic operations.

Beyond security cooperation, Hawaii and Indonesia face many of the same challenges, particularly in responding to natural disasters and emergencies that threaten communities and critical infrastructure.

One of the delegation's key engagements took place at Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, where officials provided a comprehensive briefing on the nation's disaster risk environment and emergency management framework. Discussions focused on disaster preparedness, response coordination and lessons learned from recent disasters affecting both Indonesia and Hawaii.

"Technology plays an increasingly important role in disaster management, from risk mapping and forecasting to early warning and response coordination," said Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, head of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency. "These capabilities help us take preventive action, strengthen preparedness and reduce the impact of disasters on our communities."

Indonesia's leaders highlighted the nation's vulnerability to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, landslides and wildfires because of its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. They also outlined the country's National Disaster Management Plan 2025-2029 and its emphasis on science-based risk reduction, technological innovation and whole-of-government preparedness.

After the briefing, Logan invited National Disaster Management Agency leadership to participate in Vigilant Guard 2027 to further strengthen humanitarian assistance and disaster response cooperation between the two organizations.

During a visit to Kodam Jaya/Jayakarta, the delegation attended a large-scale static display of riot control equipment and capabilities at Jakarta's National Monument, one of Indonesia's most prominent national landmarks. Featuring more than 500 Indonesian National Armed Forces personnel, the demonstration showcased the Indonesian Army's ability to rapidly organize, equip and employ forces in support of public order and contingency operations. The event included a briefing on riot control procedures, operational concepts and specialized equipment used to support civil disturbance response missions before delegation members inspected personnel equipment, support vehicles and other capabilities employed during crowd management operations.

Cultural engagements also fostered meaningful connections between the people of Hawaii and Indonesia. Soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard's 111th Army Band, Na Koa, performed at venues across Surabaya and Jakarta in celebrations commemorating the 250th Anniversary of America's Independence that were hosted by the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya and the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, and a public performance at @america, a U.S. Embassy-operated cultural center.

The Indonesia engagement represented only the third overseas performance mission in the 111th Army Band's history and its first international engagement in 34 years.

"Representing Hawaii in Indonesia was an honor for our Soldiers," said Sgt. 1st Class Charifel Mateo, lead vocalist for the 111th Army Band. "Music allowed us to connect with people in a way that transcends language and reminds us that partnerships are ultimately about relationships."

The visit concluded June 12 with a public performance at @america in Jakarta. The event brought together community members, embassy personnel and senior officials, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, highlighting the role cultural diplomacy continues to play in strengthening relationships between the United States and Indonesia.