U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Carla Riner, Air National Guard advisor to the Pacific Air Forces Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, led a Department of Defense delegation at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for an Aceh Tsunami Museum special exhibit honoring US disaster relief after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, the 2nd Global Tsunami Symposium sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and a bilateral engagement with the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Nov. 10-11.
A 9.0 magnitude quake in the Indian Ocean caused a tsunami that destroyed multiple cities in Aceh Province, killing more than 100,000 people in Aceh, and over 200,000 across the region, on Dec. 26, 2004. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command quickly responded by executing Operation Unified Assistance, deploying 16,000 personnel, 26 ships, 58 helicopters, and 43 fixed-wing aircraft to deliver 18 million pounds of relief supplies, 400,000 gallons of fresh water, and ferrying 8,000 people to safety. The United States mobilized over $400 million in humanitarian aid and recovery efforts to support Indonesia’s response, benefiting over 580,000 people.
“It is a great honor to be with you as we commemorate both the power of human resilience and international partnership,” said Riner at the exhibit opening ceremony. “This exhibit is a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between like-minded nations such as Indonesia, the U.S., Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It’s a reminder of the important work that we can accomplish when we come together.”
The second part of the trip focused on bilateral engagements with Indonesian partners including BNPB, Indonesia’s lead agency for disaster risk reduction and response. During the engagements, the U.S. delegation discussed the agency’s significant progress since its inception in 2008, its plans for future development, and areas where the U.S. military can cooperate with the Indonesian Armed Forces to provide cooperative disaster relief support.
“After seeing photos of the devastation from the tsunami, it feels surreal, yet also inspiring to be standing here 20 years later,” said Riner. “After the immediate life-saving relief efforts of the U.S. and other militaries, organizations like USAID devoted themselves to long-term reconstruction and resilience-building. The results of this partnership are clear to see as Aceh is once again a rapidly growing province with a bright future.”
Indonesia is a U.S. strategic partner located “in the heart” of the Indo-Pacific, together conducting over 220 annual joint exercises, engagements, exchanges, and more each year. The U.S.-Indonesian comprehensive strategic partnership continues to grow, as seen by an increase in exercise participation with 19 countries and more than 5,000 troops participating during the 2024 Super Garuda Shield exercise. The U.S. remains committed to supporting Indonesia, and all partnered countries, in military and humanitarian support towards the goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
