Continuing the voyage to the next stage, the 2026 Port Visit Integrated Task Force was officially released by the Commander of the III Fleet Command (Pangkoarmada III) Admiral TNI Dato Rusman SN in a humanitarian diplomacy mission to the South Pacific region using the KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 (KRI WSH-991), located at the Kodaeral XIV Pier, Sorong City, Monday (21/9/2026).
The 2026 Port Visit Integrated Task Force is led by the Commander of the Task Force (Dansatgas) Marine Colonel (P) Benedictus Hery Murwanto who serves as the Commander of KRI WSH-991 on a daily basis. KRI WSH-991 docked in Sorong to transport additional personnel and logistics and conduct a Courtesy Call to a number of Southwest Papua Forkopimda officials. After completing the first stage in Sorong, the Task Force continues its voyage to Vanuatu as the next stage, then will visit Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
Commander of the Third Fleet Admiral TNI Dato Rusman SN said that the Port Visit 2026 is a strategic momentum to strengthen Indonesia’s relations with friendly countries in the South Pacific region through humanitarian missions and is committed to building constructive cooperation.
In its implementation, the Task Force will bring the spirit of maritime diplomacy through various activities that prioritize friendship, cooperation, and humanitarian missions. This activity is expected to further strengthen Indonesia’s good relations with friendly countries while strengthening Indonesia’s role in building cooperation and stability in the South Pacific region.
The release was also attended by the Commander of the XIV Regional Commander Admiral TNI Djatmoko, Danrem 181/Praja Vira Tama (PVT) Brigadier General TNI Slamet Riadi, S.I.P., Southwest Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Pol. Dr. Hengki Haryadi, Askomlek Pasmar 3 Colonel Mar Pujiono, Southwest Papua Kabinda Brigadier General TNI I Ketut Arthajaya, representatives of the Southwest Papua Provincial Government, and PJU Koarmada III.
The departure of the 2026 Port Visit Integrated Task Force is in line with the direction of the Chief of Naval Staff (Kasal) Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali in increasing the role of the Navy’s diplomacy, strengthening relations and cooperation with friendly countries, and increasing Indonesia’s presence in the region through friendship, humanitarian, and maritime cooperation approaches.