When Airplanes and Helicopters Spearheaded Emergency Response Operations in Sumatra

Meanwhile, while land transportation remains disrupted, air access has become the backbone for quickly reaching the flood-affected areas in Sumatra. These days, cargo planes, helicopters, and boats are at the forefront of delivering aid to the victims.

Not even a month after arriving in Indonesia at the beginning of November 2025, the Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force with tail number A-4001 has already conducted emergency response operations. The aircraft has transported aid to three provinces affected by floods and landslides, namely in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra. Various forms of assistance such as ready-to-eat meals, instant noodles, emergency tents, generators, basic necessities, rubber boats, and communication devices were easily loaded into the aircraft's hold, which has a carrying capacity of up to 37 tons.

The Airbus A400M is not alone. The Indonesian Air Force also deployed several C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from Squadron 31 at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, to deliver aid. As its name suggests, following the hero from Greek mythology, Hercules, the aircraft can be utilized for multiple roles, including humanitarian missions and emergency response operations.

Indonesia recently operated five of the latest Hercules transport aircraft, namely the C-130J Super Hercules. Although its cargo capacity is slightly smaller than that of the Airbus A400M, the Hercules is a robust aircraft that is consistently deployed in various humanitarian operations or emergency responses. This includes disasters such as the Aceh earthquake and tsunami (2004); the eruption of Mount Merapi (2010); the earthquake and tsunami in Palu-Donggala (2018); flash floods in Sentani, Papua (2019); and the major floods in South Kalimantan (2021).

In the emergency response mission for flood and landslide disasters in Sumatra, the transport aircraft will carry various aid to the nearest airports to the disaster locations in three affected provinces. From these airports, the aid will be transported by helicopter to the flood and landslide-affected areas scattered across various regions.

Kompas Daily noted that as of Monday (1/12/2025), several areas in West Sumatra still had to be reached by air. For example, in Solok, 360 kilograms of supplies were carried by helicopters from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). In Maligi, West Pasaman Regency, 1.34 tons of aid were carried by helicopters from the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). In Agam, 2.3 tons of food and non-food aid were dropped by TNI AU helicopters to Tiku and Sungai Puar, Agam.

Therefore, various types of helicopters from several agencies have become the spearhead of aid distribution to communities that until now have not been accessible by land routes. The Army has deployed two helicopters, namely one unit of Mi-17 and one unit of Bell 412.

The Mi-17 helicopter is a medium transport helicopter originating from Russia. As a versatile helicopter, the Mi-17 can be used for various purposes, including personnel transport, logistics, evacuation, and disaster response missions, with a cargo capacity of up to 4,000 kilograms. Meanwhile, the Bell 412 helicopter is a multipurpose helicopter with a smaller payload, utilized in Sumatra for victim evacuation, personnel transport, logistics distribution, and medical support.

From the maritime dimension, the Navy has deployed three AS-565 MBe Panther helicopters from Squadron 100. Although designed for naval operations, this French-made helicopter is known for its stability and suitability for search and rescue (SAR) operations, supported by navigation systems that facilitate night operations and adverse weather conditions. In disaster areas such as Sumatra, these helicopters will be extremely helpful for evacuating victims from isolated regions, transporting personnel, and providing medical support.

From the air dimension, in addition to transport aircraft, the Indonesian Air Force also deployed the H-225M Caracal helicopter. Although it has a role in tactical military operations, this French-manufactured helicopter is also designed for search and rescue operations and emergency response in difficult areas. With a passenger capacity of 28-30 people, the H-225M Caracal can be used for heavy logistics distribution.

The Indonesian Air Force also deployed a CN-295 transport aircraft to drop 90 heliboxes containing emergency aid for residents affected by flooding in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra. Quoting an official statement from the Indonesian Air Force's X account on Tuesday (2/12/2025), this action was taken to reach several areas that remain isolated after land access was cut off due to infrastructure damage.

The helibox is a special packaging designed to resemble a propeller blade. When dropped from an aircraft, the box will spin, thereby slowing its descent speed and minimizing the risk of impact upon landing.

"The delivery of aid was carried out from Soewondo Air Force Base to the Drop Zone (DZ) of Batuarimo, prioritizing food supplies for communities that are still struggling to obtain basic necessities. The assistance includes food items and other emergency supplies urgently needed by residents in the affected areas," said the Head of Air Force Public Relations, First Marshal I Nyoman Suadnyana.

In addition to air operations, emergency response efforts are also being carried out via sea routes. The Navy has prepared four KRI ships, namely KRI dr Soeharso-990, KRI Semarang-594, KRI Teluk Banten-516, and KRI Gilimanuk-531 to support logistics, troop movements, and victim evacuations. KRI Soeharso-990 is a hospital ship that can be assigned for medical and humanitarian aid operations, disaster victim evacuations, and logistical support.

Similarly, KRI Semarang-594 is a support vessel that functions as a light floating hospital. Both KRI Soeharso-990 and KRI Semarang-594 are equipped with helipads that support the landing of light and medium helicopters, such as the Bell 412 and Panther.

Meanwhile, the KRI Teluk Banten-516 and KRI Gilimanuk-531 are landing ship tanks (LSTs) or logistics transport vessels. During emergency response operations, these vessels can be used to support the distribution of logistics, emergency supplies, and personnel. In addition to large vessels, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) also deployed rubber boats/LCRs (Landing Craft Rubber/Rubber Boats) to reach victims in flooded areas.

In addition to the military, the police also deployed air and sea forces in the emergency response operation in Sumatra, consisting of 3 logistics transport aircraft, 5 helicopters, and 9 patrol boats. The helicopters include AW169/P-3303, Dauphin AS365 N3/P-3103, NBO-105/P-1112, Bell 429/P-3203, and Bell 412EP/P-3002. Meanwhile, the aircraft include CN295/P-4501, Fokker 27 MK50/P-4401, and Boeing 737-800NG/P-7301.

Military observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, believes that the emergency response operations conducted by the TNI in disaster-affected areas in Sumatra demonstrate that the TNI is fulfilling one of its strategic mandates, namely military operations other than war (OMSP). Such operations are consistently carried out by the TNI in various crisis situations, especially during disasters.

"The use of defense equipment such as planes, helicopters, and ships, as well as ground elements, demonstrates the TNI's superiority in rapid mobility. When land access is cut off, and extreme terrain makes aid distribution difficult, the TNI Air Force's ability as a rapid response force becomes a determining factor," Khairul said.

According to Khairul, military equipment not only distributes logistics and personnel but also opens access and reaches isolated areas, including conducting medical evacuations in a short time. If we look at the operations currently carried out by the TNI, the deployed military equipment varies in type and age, including the latest transport aircraft, the Airbus A400M.

As a country prone to disasters, the military in Indonesia is indeed designed not only as a tool of war but also to address the real situations in Indonesia. When disasters occur and assistance can be mobilized quickly with the support of defense equipment, it is akin to achieving half of the success, although there are still shortcomings. Meanwhile, global trends also indicate a shift in a country's military towards roles beyond warfare or non-combat missions.

"In this context, the relevance of developing the strength of the military becomes very clear, namely not only to increase military dominance but also to ensure that the state is present in a timely manner when the community needs it. It is not only about defense equipment but, more importantly, about human resources," said Khairul.