The AS565 MBe Panther helicopter with hull number HS-1306 from the 100 Air Wing Air Squadron 2 Puspenerbal, which is a member of the MTF UNIFIL onboard Task Force KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda-367 (KRI SIM-367), again attracted attention in the Mediterranean Sea yesterday.
Together with 5 warships from UNIFIL MTF countries (Germany, Bangladesh, Greece, Turkey, and Indonesia), as well as 1 ship from the Lebanese Navy (LAF-N Ship Tabarja-42), the HS-1306 Panther Helicopter participated in the Advance Maneuvering Exercise which lasted approximately 2 hours in the Area of Maritime Operation (AMO).
In the exercise, this sophisticated helicopter was again trusted to carry out an important role. From the air, the Panther HS-1306 monitors and captures first-hand the moments of maneuver reliability, interoperability, professionalism, and preparedness of all elements of the MTF and LAF-N Ships.
The presence of HS-1306 is not only a reconnaissance eye, but also the closing of the training event. Spectacular aerial maneuvers were performed by Puspenerbal pilots, where the HS-1306 Panther helicopter performed a Flyby/Lowpass across the ship’s convoy formation.
This joint exercise has a special meaning, as it is the last moment for two elements of the MTF, namely HS Kanaris F464 (Greece) and TCG Turgutris F242 (Turkey), which will end their service period.
MTF Commander, RADM Stephan Plath, used this exercise to pay his respects and farewell to the two ships. These precious moments, including the formation of the ship convoy, were clearly recorded and captured from an aerial perspective by the HS-1306 Panther Helicopter, which became an integral part of the MTF Task Force.