JAKARTA – Marine forces from the U.S. Military and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) are holding the Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) from November 11-25, 2022, at Piabung training area, in Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia.
The inaugural Keris MAREX bilateral exercise, led by the U.S. Marine Corps and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia (KORMAR), promotes military interoperability and maritime domain awareness capabilities, strengthens relationships, and expands capabilities among participating forces.
Throughout this year’s Keris MAREX, approximately 180 U.S. Marines from the Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) force and 260 KORMAR Marines from the 7th Marine Battalion have trained closely together. The exercise activities are focused on increasing combined capabilities for coastal defense, joint fires, rocket artillery, small unmanned aerial systems, and cultural and community engagements.
“Keris MAREX 23 enables MRF-SEA to develop bilateral problem-solving techniques and forges bonds of friendship between Americans and Indonesians,” said Capt. Larry Boyd, the MRF-SEA Communication Strategy and Operations Director. “Most importantly, though, in today’s environment, when the world sometimes seems to be facing one crisis after another, exercises like Keris MAREX 23 have become increasingly important. This exercise highlights the strength and stability of the U.S.-Indonesia relationship and promotes a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
The exercise includes a variety of training evolutions such as patrolling, close-quarters battle and ambushing, unmanned aircraft systems employment, sensor to strike, tactical combat casualty care, and explosive ordnance disposal. Exchanges of various functional areas include joint planning, expeditionary advanced basing operations, joint planning operations, and small boat operations. The exercise will culminate with a mission rehearsal to increase interoperability and display emerging maritime domain awareness capabilities.
