Super Garuda Shield: A Unique US Airborne Assault to Strengthen Operational Capabilities in Indonesia.

The U.S. Army, the National Indonesian Armed Forces, and allied partners recently completed a complex airborne assault mission in South Sumatra as part of the Super Garuda Shield exercise, marking the first time such an operation took place in the region. The exercise, which wrapped up earlier this month, showcased a significant expansion in scope and complexity.
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U.S. Army Soldiers with Bison Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment drop from the sky during Super Garuda Shield 2024 in Indonesia, Aug. 29, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)

A battalion from the 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska, conducted the airborne assault, which was one of several operations spread across Indonesia, with a majority centered in Java. Brig. Gen. Kevin Williams, the commanding general for operations of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, emphasized the operational reach, describing how the coordination required four hours of flight to command and control the airborne mission. According to Williams, this exercise highlighted the inter-theater operational capability of the forces involved.

In previous iterations of Super Garuda Shield, forces focused on single locations, such as Java or Sumatra, but this year's exercise tested command and control across multiple areas with joint forces and partner nations. Japanese and Indonesian troops also participated in the airborne assault to evaluate joint entry operations, further demonstrating the multilateral nature of the exercise.

The exercise also saw a considerable increase in participation compared to earlier years. Williams noted that in 2015, only 200 Indonesian soldiers and 300 U.S. soldiers participated, with Williams himself being one of them. This year, over 2,500 U.S. service members participated, nearly doubling the number of partner nation forces involved. The exercise now includes eight fully participating nations—Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand—not counting the U.S. and Indonesia. Additionally, twelve other nations sent observers who participated in a staff exercise.

New to this year's Super Garuda Shield was the introduction of U.S. Air Force assets such as C-130 aircraft, and the deployment of a Combat Aviation Brigade from the 25th Infantry Division, equipped with CH-47F Chinook helicopters. These resources contributed to the formation of a fully combined Aviation Task Force, which played a critical role in pushing the logistics tail throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

An Indonesian National Armed Forces C-130 Super Hercules drops soldiers during an airborne operation at Super Garuda Shield 2024, in Indonesia, Aug. 29, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)

A major focus of the exercise was the establishment of a Combined Task Force Operations Center to enhance interoperable command and control across the joint force. The introduction of the U.S. Army’s Integrated Tactical Network and additional mission command nodes provided a clearer operational picture for all participants.

Participants also tested logistics capabilities, over-the-horizon communication systems, and the ability to integrate and synchronize assets across multiple domains. In Java, a joint strike exercise saw the U.S. Army deploying its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), alongside U.S. Marine Corps attack aviation, F-16 fighter jets from partner nations, and other missile systems. This allowed forces to evaluate sensor-to-shooter capabilities across air, land, and sea platforms in targeting operations.

Amphibious operations were also highlighted during the exercise. The U.S. Marine Corps, in conjunction with Indonesian, Japanese, and Singaporean forces, conducted an amphibious assault using three platforms, including an assault craft from Singapore and the amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay. Long-range fires and reconnaissance were coordinated to set the conditions for the beachhead assault, followed by an air assault operation using the Marine Corps V-22 Osprey aircraft to insert ground forces, which were later extracted as part of the exercise.

In preparation for the exercise's final phase, the U.S. Army conducted a combined arms live-fire operation, integrating ground maneuvers with partner forces in a complex scenario. This exercise was part of the U.S. Army’s broader Operation Pathways initiative, which has expanded significantly across the Indo-Pacific in recent years. Operation Pathways is designed to strengthen relationships with regional allies and ensure the ability to conduct complex joint operations in the event of conflict or other contingencies.

Brig. Gen. Williams highlighted that exercises like Super Garuda Shield build crucial readiness and interoperability between allied forces, reinforcing trust among partners and ensuring preparedness for any situation. "It really just provides capable, ready land forces that allow us to be positioned throughout the Indo-Pacific. It bolsters our allies and partners with that trust, and it really ensures we and Indonesia are prepared for any contingency or conflict or disaster that comes along," Williams concluded.