INDONESIAN SQUADRON OFFICER SCHOOL

"Olah Yudha" in Indonesian SOS batch 102 - 2017

        Indonesian Air Force also have mandatory school for its captain like Squadron Officer School (SOS) in USAF. After graduating from SOS, I continued to study in Indonesia SOS directly, in the purpose to learn Indonesia Air Force Joint Air Operation and doctrine. There are some differences between the US and Indonesian SOS that I will try to describe in this paper. Beforehand, I would like to say thanks a lot for batch 102 Sekkau big families for kindness and friendliness during my time when joint the Indonesian SOS.

LEADERSHIP BETWEEN CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

The moment of giving a memento to Col Razor (USAF)

      Cultural diversity always happens around a team, so leadership will strengthen team performance to overcome cultural differences. Good leadership will give an emphasis that differences is not a problem. He will should never make a discrimination. And he will use differences to achieve a team purpose.

          The first important thing is a leader should give an emphasis that differences is not a big deal. Cultural differences is a normal condition in our daily live. No one people nor a team does not has a differences.

PENATARAN ISTRI SEKKAU ANGKATAN 102

Bersama istri, setelah penutupan Penatris

Persiapan pelaksanaan Table Manner

    Penataran istri (Penatris) perwira merupakan salah satu rangkaian kegiatan di akhir pendidikan Sekolah Komando Kesatuan Angkatan Udara (Sekkau). Pada kegiatan ini, para istri dari perwira siswa (pasis) Sekkau mendapatkan pembekalan mengenai profil seorang istri perwira TNI/TNI AU sebagai bekal mendampingi suami untuk masa yang akan datang. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan di lembaga pendidikan Sekkau yang masih berada di lingkungan pangkalan udara (lanud) Halim Perdana Kusuma, sejak tanggal 10 s. d. 14 Desember 2017. Adapun beberapa kegiatan yang dilaksanakan adalah sebagai berikut:

1.    Hari ke-1, Minggu 10 Desember 2017.

          Kegiatan diawali dengan lapor datang para pasis beserta istri di ruang Handrawina Sekkau. Kegiatan ini bermaksud untuk mengecek kehadiran dan kesiapan dari para istri pasis. Layak nya seperti daftar ulang, para istri pasis menyerahkan Surat Perintah (SP) dari satuan asal suami nya masing-masing.

          Setelah lapor datang tersebut, para istri melanjutkan kegiatan pengambilan photo perorangan untuk photo ijazah. Setelah itu, dilanjutkan dengan pengambilan photo suami-istri, untuk suami menggunakan seragam Pakaian Dinas Upacara 4 (PDH4) dan istri menggunakan Pakaian Seragam Harian (PSH).

BE A GOOD FOLLOWER

 

IOS-Yudicial Breakfast

            Team is a group which consist with some people who work together to make same goals. Normally, there are a leader and follower inside team, and they interdependence each other. Not only the good leader, but also the good follower will determine team success.

            Like a house, follower is a fundamental part from team. If their followership good, so that team absolutely good also. And this will influence their work performance.

BIOGRAPHY-INDONESIAN AIR FORCE

CAPTAIN DOLLY JOHAN PERKASA HUTAGALUNG

Captain Dolly Johan Hutagalung is Chief of Internal Affairs, 7^th Squadron, 8^th Wing, Suryadarma Air Force Base (AFB), Subang, West Java. He responsible for coordination of any on ground activity and the internal security of the squadron. He flies the EC-120B Colibri, conducting seach and rescue, air lift, medical evacuation, humanitarian relief operations and low speed interception.

Captain Hutagalung was born in Tangerang, Banten. He graduated from Matauli senior high school in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatera. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2008 after graduating from Indonesian Air Force Academy. He become an Air Force Pilot in 2010 after graduating from the Indonesian Air Force Flying School, Flight Training Wing, Adi Sucipto AFB. He has served 7^th Squadron from 2010 until present.

During his service, Captain Hutagalung has served in various missions as a helicopter pilot in 7^th Squadron. He has conducted low speed interception at the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung city, humanatarian missions in Subang state and disaster relief in Pekanbaru province.

WEAKNESSES OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Author Capt Galung, Editor Maj Thrush (USAF)

           

at Kennedy Space Center, Orlando-Florida

The Developed countries although they have modern technology with its advantages, also have some weaknesses which need to be overcome gradually in order to prevent second and third order effects. We know that technology is frequently dependency on cyber, and the problems is many people are able to influence cyber technology. The second most important is satellite technology, this is very influential for people living right now and also in the future. And no less important is individualistic culture for people who live in modern countries.

            Vulnerability of cyber has become the sexiest topic for all of countries around the world, especially for developed countries. Cyber technology can not be spread from human lives now and make people become dependent with that. Moreover, many national and private assets are controlled and established by government with cyber. However, some bad people try to abuse that condition for their own benefit and make other people become victims. And this is the worst thing, if bad people / organizations like terrorists sabotage the national assets with cyber and paralyze people’s activities, this is will interfere with national stabilization.       

CYBER TECHNOLOGY ERA

         Author Capt Galung, Editor Maj Thrush (USAF)

at CNN Atlanta-US

        Now days, technology is so familiar in every human live. Especially people who live in the city will easily find something which is technology development such as; traffic lamp, ATM, computer, etc. Do you realize that all of them are part of cyber technology? This technology has many advantages for making human lives easier. But, cyber technology also has some disadvantages if we do not take care carefully. Therefore, we need to use this technology wisely and keep it under control.

            Every technology always brings alteration in its era, the same with cyber technology which has many benefits for human life. With cyber technology we can integrate a lot of data within one system, so it makes the administration process more simple. Because of its simplicity, it is able to cut process time from many systems and make all of them faster. Eventually, cyber technology helps human life, especially all occupations with computer base become easier.

            On the other hand, cyber technology also bring its dark side if we do not control it very carefully. We know that all of system with technology base  are costly, and the same condition is true with cyber technology, everything are expensive in the name of cyber. Moreover, some people we call hackers abuse this technology for their own favor frequently. And the more sophisticated a technology, it means the more difficult it is to care, we need special knowledge and tools to keep it sustainable.

            From both of these conditions, make we need to think about cyber technology wisely. Always use this technology based on human needs, do not make it abundant and not worth the purpose. When we utilize cyber technology, do not forget to complement with its security system for keeping it safe from hacker certainly. And the important thing we have to give knowledge about cyber technology to people, so they can use that safely.

            The conclusion, Cyber technology makes human lives easier because it has many advantages. But, if we do not pay attention to control that, it will cause some problems. So, we have to use cyber technology wisely, in order to keep human beings in control of the technology, not technology control the human being.

UNIQUE ACTIVITES IN SQUADRON OFFICER SCHOOL

Author Capt Galung, Editor Maj Thrush

With Maj Thrush, Flight Commander of C37

            Squadron Officer School (SOS) has its unique style during education times. As a purpose to create a better Air Force leader in the future, SOS encourages all captains to explore their potential leadership while utilizing these unique activities. The first one is Project-X, this is an out side activity which needs brain and muscle. The second activity is Air Power Doctrine Wargaming (ADWAR), this is like multiple player game. The last one is Team Research & Innovation Project (TR&IP), this is a project task that will examine the problem.

            Project-X is a combination between psychology and physical activities, so it needs brain and muscle to work together smoothly. Project-X is actually a heritage from  the second world war, at the first time this was utilized by Nazi German and was adapted by the British, furthermore until now US  continues to develop it. Project-X also was called a laboratory of leadership, this is a best place to practice and learn about leadership for every student. Beside we can train our leadership, furthermore Project-X test our body strength  and sharpness of thought.

           

SOS FEEDBACK SYSTEM

Author Capt Galung, Editor Maj Thrush (USAF)    

With Col Razor during IOS Graduation Day

  Squadron Officer School (SOS) has its unique style during education times. As a purpose to create a better Air Force leader in the future, SOS encourages all captains to explore their potential leadership while utilizing these unique activities. The first one is Project-X, this is an out side activity which needs brain and muscle. The second activity is Air Power Doctrine Wargaming (ADWAR), this is like multiple player game. The last one is Team Research & Innovation Project (TR&IP), this is a project task that will examine the problem.

            Project-X is a combination between psychology and physical activities, so it needs brain and muscle to work together smoothly. Project-X is actually a heritage from  the second world war, at the first time this was utilized by Nazi German and was adapted by the British, furthermore until now US  continues to develop it. Project-X also was called a laboratory of leadership, this is a best place to practice and learn about leadership for every student. Beside we can train our leadership, furthermore Project-X test our body strength  and sharpness of thought.

           

SPECIAL OPERATION, COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE (CSAR)

 Capt Dompak Hutagalung.

Iswahjudi AFB, SAR crews

        Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones with purpose to save strategic personnel and material from enemies. Since first world war until now, this operation has had some evolutions. Because a high advantages from this operation, all Airforce in the world adapt and commit this operation. Also in Indonesian Air Force, we develop our CSAR doctrine to support air operation.

SQUADRON OFFICER SCHOOL-Flight Rangking

Author Capt Galung, Editor Maj Thrush (USAF)

SOS FLIGHT RANKING

          Squadron Officer School (SOS), like others school programs SOS also has system to manage flight ranking. Until this time, I saw that every problem solving activity has some points which determine flight ranking. Almost every week or after that problem solving exercise have  been done, current flight rankings will be broadcast to students. This system gives compete effect in all of SOS activities.

      
    These are some problem solving exercise which have points determine to flight ranking such as ; Team Leadership Program (TLP), Team Building Exercise (TBX), Project X and also Field Leadership Exercise (FLEX). If flight can accomplish each exercise it will get 1 point, and if flight can show its good performance, they will gain bonus points. In total 47 flights are able to fight over these points, so it means a lot of competition.

FIELD LEADERSHIP EXERCISE (FLEX)

        

  
       This activity is part of Squadron Officer School (SOS) out side or field activity and this is also a new one for me. First I will try to describe FLEX from my experience. I will also try to explain why FLEX has become one of the most interesting activities in SOS. Like other games, FLEX also has rules of engagement which should be obeyed by all players.

     
    FLEX is a combination of sport and air operation knowledge. We did FLEX on small field, almost like a basket ball court. Every student should participate in this activity with different position. The game starts with initial deployment from each team and wait for whistle from referee. Game will be over if one of the teams gains air superiority, and then will be restarted again for the next game.

MY LEADERSHIP HISTORY

Author : Capt Hutagalung, checked by Maj Thrush USAF

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR IN MY SQUADRON

            Life is never ended learning process, it also happens when I learned leadership in my duty. Like Mr. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”[i] I learned many things about leadership from my unit in Indonesian Air Force when I was posted at Squadron 7^th, Wing 

8^th, Suryadarma Air Force Base[ii] in 2010.  Until now, I have met some squadron commanders with different leadership behavior. But, one of the most interesting for me was my first squadron commander during my first two years. He used reward and punishment method for motivation his members. Actually, I did not totally agree with his method at the time, but as a good follower, I tried to execute his order. And I think another leadership behavior probably is more than appropriate with that situation.

       

ETHICS ANALYSIS PAPER

Author : Capt Hutagalung IAF, Checked by Maj Thrush USAF

YOUR EDUCATION AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

            We live to learn and we learn to live, both of them like two sides of the coin which always together in our live. Like Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to economize.”[i] From this quote, we know that how education is very important for a country. Indonesian Air Force is an integral part of Indonesian country, and one of operation squadron from Indonesian Air Force is Squadron 7^th. Such as all squadron in Indonesian Air Force, my squadron also has education planning for all of officers, especially a pilot. On the other hand, my squadron activity as a helicopter squadron is very busy to support my air force duty in dedication to the nation. However, some officers in my squadron  did not use their school opportunity to gain more knowledge maximally, moreover they make their precious times became useless. It is better if they utilize that rare school opportunities to improve their self-capability, furthermore they will able to enhance quality of squadron 7^th in the future.

SOS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

            SOS (Squadron Officer School) is a mandatory school for USAF (United State Air Force) members to gain new rank from Captain to Major. This course emphasizes leadership at the tactical level, how these Captain will lead their units in the future. SOS uses a unique method for transferring knowledge to all students. And also some activities during SOS that will support students to achieve their goals as an individual and as a team.

        
    Captain is a high rank for CGO (Company Grade Officer) and also a crucial rank for officers that will determine their job success in the future. We can say that Captain rank is a motor drive from an armed force, so effective or not an armed force / air force it depend on leadership from their Captain. That is the reason, why SOS is mandatory for USAF Captains. They need their Captains to have good leadership to keep the USAF as the greatest air force in the world.

UNITY IN DIVERSITIES

            My country Indonesia is the example for others in this world about unity in diversities. How is this possible? I will start from Indonesian geographical position in world. What factors make Indonesia diverse? How does Indonesia resolve diversities and use these for unity?

          
       Indonesian geographical position is so strategic; between Asia and Australia continents, and between Indian and Pacific oceans. Indonesia can be passed by international sea commerce through the Malaka strain, this strait connects economic matters in the Middle East to America continent. Indonesia also lia on the Equator line, this makes Indonesia have dry and rainy seasons and this is the primary reason why Indonesian land is very fertile. Because of these things, Indonesian position is very important in world perspective.

FIRST WEEK IN SOS 18B

            First of all, before I start to write my journal, I apologize if some body can not understand my writing clearly, because of my language barrier. But believe me, I have done my best and I promise will make improvement in my next journal and  other assignments.

            My first week in SOS just have done, even those were just half week or three days exactly, but its like a long week for me. There were some differences between IOS and SOS study program that I was feeling. And also many new things that I found in SOS. Furthermore, all of them give me some issues in my first week.

BUILDING A GREAT TEAM

        


          A team is combination group of people with cohesion and interdependence to achieve some goals. We need a great team to get a great goals, that is why we need to build our team through some processes or exercises to become great. If you are a leader, you need to focus 100% to lead your team together with your members. And as a follower, give your best performance to support your team.

            In many case, we need a Team Building Exercise (TBE) for melting the situation if you are a new team and improve team work in your team. TBE is all about analysis, planning and execution in particular time and obstacles. Manage your time well, analyse the details and make planning with all of your members. When you have chosen one plan, execute these carefully. If you failed after executing your plan, maybe this plan was not right fit, just start the circle again from beginning. Never give up until the last second.

METODE PENDIDIKAN DI SOS US

Assalamualaikum wr wb,

 C37 Flight, Centurion Sq

        Selesai sudah minggu ke dua di SOS, selagi ingat segera penulis menulis blog ini mengenai beberapa kegiatan di SOS yang penulis nilai menarik dan bermanfaat terhadap pengembangan leadership perseorangan, serta mekanisme pembentukan team building yang tepat sasaran. Harapan  penulis, pengetahuan tersebut akan berguna suatu hari nanti bagi Indonesia, khusus nya bagi TNI AU.

at FLEX Field

       Di SOS, kami ditekankan mengenai pembentukan karakter sebagai seorang pemimpin atau leadership. USAF (United State Air Force) menganggap para Captain nya saat ini adalah calon penerus potensial mereka.  Mereka percaya, Captain merupakan pemimpin di level teknis dan pelaksana langsung di lapangan harus memiliki kemampuan mempimpin yang baik untuk menghadapi berbagai problem di medan operasi. Tidak tanggung-tanggung, dalam satu kali pendidikan SOS, mereka memanggil 700an Captain secara bersamaan. Penulis dapat merasakan betapa pentingnya letak pendidikan SOS ini bagi USAF. Sebagai contoh, dalam beberapa kali seminar/kuliah SOS menghadirkan para General Officer nya untuk memberikan pelajaran secara langsung ke Captain. Sampai saat ini sudah 2x seminar yang dipimpin oleh seorang General Officer : pertama mengenai recruitment personel yang dipaparkan oleh Major General Gourett Hareneak dan seminar yang kedua mengenai Air Power yang dibawakan oleh Liutenant General Darrly Roberson yang merupakan komandan Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Bisa dibilang AETC ini selevel dengan Kodiklat TNI AU.

            

FIRST WEEK IN SOS 18B

            First of all, before I start to write my journal, I ask for apologize if some body can not understand my written clearly, because of my language barrier. But believe me, I have done my best and I promise will make improvement in my next journal and  others assignment.

            My first week in SOS just have done, even those were just half week or three days exactly, but its like a long week for me. There were some differences between IOS and SOS study program that I was feel. And also many new things that I found in SOS. Furthermore, all of them give me some issues in my first week.

            I had done IOS 17C before I continue joint SOS 18B now, and this course took seven weeks for us. We were all 29 students for 16 countries mixed in IOS and divided to three flights : Red Tail, Blue Knight and Golden Eagle. Perhaps because many of us were a first time came to US and some off our countries like Indonesia  did not have English for second and third language, so the flight commander and course director always guide us positively. Every lessons were explained in detail and make sure all the student understands what were the lessons mean. And often remain us for the next assignments or activities with direct speech or in our group application.

IOS 17C FIELD ACTIVITIES

     Ada beberapa kegiatan di IOS yang dilaksanakan di luar ruangan, yang bertujuan untuk melatih Leadership dan Followership para siswa. Kegiatan tersebut di antaranya adalah : TLP (Team Leadership Project), Project-X dan Flex, serta tambahannya adalah PT (Physical Training).

       TLP bentuknya seperti game komunikasi yang bertujuan untuk menyampaikan suatu informasi. Kami melaksanakan 3x TLP selama di IOS. Sebelum pelaksanaan kegiatan, setiap flight akan dibagi lembar permasalahan yang birisi mengenai aturan main dan petunjuk menyelesaikan permasalahan nya. Selama 45 menit kami diberi waktu untuk menerapkan APTEC mode (Analys, Planning, Training, Execute and Critic), setelah itu menuju lapangan di luar untuk melaksanakan problem solving selama 15 menit.

       Project-X, mirip dengan kombinasi psikologi game dan outbond di Indonesia, hanya saja bentuk nya lebih komplex dan beragam. Tempat pelaksanaan nya pun khusus dibuat untuk project-x. Mereka menyebutkan sebagai Leadership labroratory, disini kepemimpinan dan kerja sama tim sangat dibutuhkan.

ATLANTA TRIP

       

     

       Field Study Program (FSP) yang ke 3, dilaksanakan pada tanggal 18 - 20 September. Perjalanan dimulai pada hari Senin, di tengah perjalanan kami singgah ke Tuskegee University dan  Moton Field. Hari ke dua kami berkunjung ke pabrik pesawat Lockhed Martin di Marianete, Central Desea Control (CDC) dan Carter Center. Hari ke tiga nya kami melaksanakan kunjungan ke CNN dan Human Right Center.

Add caption

       Tuskegee University (TU) merupakan Universitas negeri di Alabama yang kaya akan sejarah, universitas ini pertama didirikan tuntuk memfasilitasi warga kulit hitam menuntut ilmu pada masa politik apartheid berjaya. Sekaligus pada masa WW2 dibentuk juga fasilitas pendidikan militer untuk warga kulit hitam, termasuk menjadi penerbang dan teknisi pesawat. Pada masa itu, diskriminasi warga kulit hitam di militer masih sangat kental. Salah satu kisah kepahlawanan ya lahir dari Tuskegee adalah Skadron pesawat tempur Red Tail. Sampai sekarang, TU masih digunakan sebagai universitas umum dan juga militer. Salah satu Program USAF di Tuskegee adalah pendidikan perwira melalui jalur ROTC (Reserve Officer Teaining Course). Program ini memfasilitasi mahasiswa/i yang mau kuliah umum sekaligus menjadi militer dengan mendapat beasiswa dari militer, Program seperti ini masih belum ada di Indonesia. Tidak jauh dari TU terdapat lapangan tebang Moton Field (MF) yang dahulu kala dipakai para penerbang Red Tail untuk berlatih, sampai sekarang pun MF masih aktif digunakan oleh siswa ROTC.

IOS ACTIVITIES, WEEK 4th

IOS day, 28 - 31 Agustus 2017

Red Tail Flight

Assalamu'alaikum,

            Sudah masuk minggu ke 4 kegiatan sekolah IOS. Di minggu ini ada beberapa kegiatan yang menarik, di antaranya adalah ; Midterm Feedback, FSP ke 2 dan debat antar flight. Hari aktif belajar hanya sampai hari Kamis, dilanjutkan dengan persiapan libur Labor day sampai hari Senin depannya.

          Midterm Feddback ini merupakan penilaian siswa pada pertengahan waktu sekolah. Kami mendapat feedback penilaian dari beberapa tugas yang sudah kami laksanakan, beserta dengan evaluasi kinerja kami selama kegiatan belajar mengajar. Selain itu, kami juga mendapat record penilaian dari teman satu flight, mereka menyebutnya dengan istilah Peer Feedback. Ini merupakan hal baru bagi saya, selain mendapat penilaian dari guru, saya mendapat penilaian juga dari teman. Secara general, remark saya adalah harus lebih aktif lagi menyampaikan pemikiran saya selama di kelas.

IOS WEEK 3

Week 3. Good day every body.

         Minggu yg cukup melelahkan, 3x PT (out) dalam seminggu: senin , rabu dan jumat.

Tugas-tugas kelas yg diberikan di minggu ke dua sudah beberapa yg dikumpulkan. Namun ada beberapa tugas yg sifat nya mingguan, seperti: stand up brief (seperti laporan mingguan yg berisi kegiatan seminggu sebelum dan sesudah, beserta remark nya), journaling (mengarang sesuai judul).

Prasmanan Euy

        Khusus tugas-tugas yg sudah kami selesaikan adalah: Air Force Biography, Bullet Background Paper dan student lead discussion. Rata-rata tugas berbentuk essay, slide dan paparkan di depan. Kesulitan yg sy hadapi terutama kemampuan berbahasa yg kurang, hal ini benar-benar mempengaruhi.

        Beberapa tugas juga sudah menanti kami. Dengan kegiatan IOS yg cukup padat, apabila ada PT maka kegiatan dimulai pukul 6 a.m. Selain itu dimulai pukul 8 a.m. Untuk pulang ground school sekitar pukul 4 p.m. Setiap pergantian jam pelajaran selalu diselingi dengan break time 5 - 10 menit. Sedangkan untuk makan siang nya diberi waktu 1 jam.

IOS 2nd WEEK

BDU Issue

 Hello guys,

        Tidak terasa sudah selesai minggu kedua di IOS, ada beberapa kegiatan yang kami laksanakan. Kegiatan di kelas masih berkisar pada pengenalan materi dan lingkungan lokal maupun nasional. Tidak lupa dengan melanjutkan orientasi kebeberapa tempat seperti perpustakaan dan lapangan tempat kegiatan luar. Ada beberapa pembagian inventaris juga yang nantinya akan digunakan selama pendidikan disini.

        Beberapa pengenalan pelajaran maupun pengetahuan yang ada di sekolah dan lingkungan. Bantak hal baru yang harus segera sy pelajari, selain meningkatkan kemampuan berbahasa. Modul-modul yang digunakan juga banyak yang baru sy temui, khusus nya platform pelajaran, pembahasan materi dan tugas yang mereka sebut dengan Blackboard. Singkat nya, Blackboard ini seperti platform media sosial, dan setiap siswa diberikan fasilitas halaman di dalam nya untuk mempelajari semua materi dan tugas dari IOS. Jadi semua pengerjaan tugas dilaksanakan secara online. 

         Selanjutnya ada peminjaman dan pembagian inventaris. Peminjaman BDU (Battle Dress Unifrom) , seragam PDL versi Indonesia, BDU ini akan digunakan untuk kegiatan PTEX, seperti out bond gitu lah. Tapi jangan lupa dikembalikan seragamnya, karena hanya pinjaman, lagi pula bekas juga. Khusus untuk buku, kami diberikan kesempatan memilih sendiri buku-buku yang ada di perpustakaan, pada saat kunjungan ke Maxwell Library. Sy mengambil cukup banyak buku, setelah itu barulah terpikir bagaimana bawa nya ke Indonesia, hehehe....   Namun buku-buku yang bisa kami ambil hanya yang merupakan karya para lulusan Airforce College, tapi cukup banyak juga pilihannya.

TRIP to PENSACOLA FLORIDA

Naval Aviation Museum

Blue Angles former aircraft

The Gate

       Weekend pertama kami pun tiba, tidak perlu waktu lama untuk memutusan kemana kami akan pergi. Apalagi kami sudah menyewa mobil dengan rate $275/mounth + assurance $200 for 3 months. Sebuah mobil yang cukup layak untuk membawa kami menjelajah ke negara bagian lain yang masih merupakan tetangga Alabama. 

T-34 Turbo Mentor

Pensacola Beach

         Pensicola - Florida, berjarak kurang lebih 250 mil dari Montgomery, dengan waktu tempuh hampir 3 jam. Jalan di sini sangat bagus dan terawat, jalan antar kota/kabupaten saja sudah setara dengan jalan tol di tanah air kita. Terletak di selatan Montgomery, dan terlebih dahulu kami mengarah ke kota Mobile sebelum akhirnya berbelok ke barat menuju Florida. Perjalanan kami dapat dikatakan sangat lancar, tidak terlalu banyak kendaraan di jalan. Dan yang menjadi tambahan pengalaman kami, layak nya jalan tol di Indonesia, di pinggir-pinggir jalan disini pun banyak papan peringatan untuk speed limit, rata 60 mil/h, ini setara dengan 100 km/j. Namun sama saja dengan kita, sedikit sekali yang bisa menepatinya, kecuali mobil-mobil besar seperti truck. Jangan-jangan itu batas kecepatan terendah yah, hehehe.

          Oh iya ada sedikit hal menarik disini dalam hal pengisian BBM di SPBU nya. So pasti harga BBM di dalam air base jauh lebih murah dibanding di luar, mungkin sudah ada subsudi khusus bagi militer. Teknis pengisiannya kita lakukan sendiri, pembayaran nya bisa dilakukan memakai credit card, ataupun cash. Kita harus memilih terlebih dahulu sebelum melaksanakan pengisian, layaknya pengambilan uang di mesin ATM, kita tentukan bahan bakar apa yang mau kita gunakan dan cara pembayarannya. Karena kami tidak ada yang punya credit card, maka cash adalah satu-satu cara yang kami punya. Setelah memilih semua keterangan diatas, kita bisa mulai melakukan pengisian sendiri, masuk nya fuel sesuai dengan yang kita inginkan, nanti akan langsung terecord besaran jumlah dan harga nya, setelah selesai kita dapat membayar di kasir. Oleh karena itu, SPBU disini selalu dilengkapi dengan sejenis mini market.

International Officer School (IOS) Preparetion Corse

US Capt rank

God day every one,

       Akhirnya kegiatan minggu pertama telah berhasil kami lewati dengan cukup lancar. Dimulai dengan penjemputan di bandara Montgomery oleh Maj Aguerlo dan dilanjutkan dengan perjalanan menuju Maxwell AFB kurang lebih 15 menit. Setelah membeli makan siang di Base Excange (sejenis market dengan foodcort), selanjutnya kami diarahkan untuk melaksanakan "log in", atau bisa disebut dengan check in di building dimana kami akan tinggal. Tidak tanggung-tanggung, rate per room/hari nya $60, memang fasilitas room nya setara dengan hotel bintang 3 (kayaknya, hehe...), lengkap degan dapur mini nya.

BX canteen

            Hari selanjutnya kami bergerak menuju IOS building untuk melaksanakan registrasi ulang dan bagi yang belum memiliki SIM international akan difasilitasi translate SIM dalam negeri kita sehingga bisa digunakan selama di Alabama. Di tempat tersebut juga dibagikan emblem pangkat/rang versi US Airforce yang harus dikenakan selama menempuh pendidikan. Selah itu diarahkan kami menuju HQ untuk membuat military ID yang berupa card yang berfungsi layaknya KTA selama disini. Dengan begitu kami telah resmi menjadi penghuni resmi Maxwell AFB walaupun hanya sementara.

Journey for International Officer School (IOS)

Bersama family di bandara Soeta

         Minggu pikul 22.00 WIB di bandara Soeta, sy diantar oleh anak, istri, ortu, mertua dan keluarga besar lainya. Sebelumnya sudah janjian dengan rekan-rekan calon siswa IOS-SOS lainnya yaitu: Kpt Pnb Kresna Hendra, Kpt Pnb Oliv Rizando dan Kpt Pnb Vincentius. Terminal 2 menjadi saksi sejarah awal perjalanan sy menuju salah satu negara adi daya saat ini, Unitat State of America (USA). Disana kami direncanakan akan melaksanakan sekolah setara dengan Sekkau di dalam negri, yaitu adalah sekolah wajib yg akan menjamin kenaikan pangkat kami menjadi seorang mayor.

at Narita-Japan, transit 3 jam

          Perjalanan yang sangat melelahkan bagi sy atau mungkin kami. Me nempuh 3x penerbangan mulai dari: Indonesia (Soeta) - Jepang (Narita) dengan waktu tempuh 6 jam, Jepang - US (Dallas) dengan waktu tempuh 11 jam dan Dallas - Montgomery dengan waktu tempuh 2 jam. Jadi total penerbangan yang kami lewati mencapai 21 jam dengan transit di Narita selama 3 jam dan di Dallas selama 2 jam, sehingga total keseluruhannya menjadi 26 jam, gilee....  Namun kami tiba di Montgomery-Alabama pada pukul 12.00 waktu lokal. Jetleg, itu pasti. Namun rasa lelah itu terhapus sudah ketika kami sampai di Motgomery dengan aman dan selamat.

Alahamdulillah, terimakasih banyak ya Allah.

End.

REKREASI BERSAMA SKADRON UDARA 7

       Minggu, 9 Juli 2017. Masih dalam rangka HUT Skadron 7, keluarga besar Pegasus melaksanakan rekreasi bersama ke Ciater Highland Resort atau yang lebih dikenal dengan sebutan Riung Rangga. Tidak kurang 300 orang menghadiri acara tersebut. Daerah perbukitan dengan didukung oleh panorama alam yang indah dan udara yang segar.

      Gambaran besar kegiatan dimulai sejak pukul 06.00 WIB, sebagian besar personel berkumpul di depan pos jaga Skadron 7 untuk persiapan pemberangkatan. Sudah disediakan 2 bis besar dan 1 bis agak besar untuk mendukung transportasi, walau ada juga yang menggunakan mobil pribadi berangkat bersama keluarganya. Perjalan berangkat cukup lancar, memakan waktu 1,5 jam untuk sampai di lokasi acara. Kepanitian yang dibentuk pun dapat melaksanakan tugas nya dengan cukup baik. Sesampai nya disana, kami mulai melaksanakan senam peregangan otot sebelum melaksanakan jalan santai dengan rute mendaki bukit sepanjang 200 meter. Photo bersama dilaksanakan di atas bukit dengan bener bertema kegiatan.

         Setelah jalan santai, dilanjutkan dengan lomba gembira yang diikuti oleh bapak, ibu, serta anak-anak dengan hadiah-hadiah yang menarik. Perlombaan berjalan dengan cukup seru dan tidak terasi waktu mendekati makan siang. Kegiatan bergeser ke dalam gedung serba guna yang sudah disiapkan konsumsi makan siang di dalam nya. Namun sebelum melaksanakan makan, ada perkenalan anggota baru dan juga pasangan yang baru menikiah diselingi dengan music dan door prize. Makan siang yang ditunggu-tunggu pun tiba, konsumsi yang disajikan cukup bersahabat, anak-anak pun kebagian menu khusus dan snack. Dan acaar puncak adalah melaksanakan halal bilhalal oleh seluruh keluarga besar Pegasus. Tak terasa acara selesai sampai pukul 14.00 WIB, kami pun meinggalkan lokasi kembali menuju Kalijati, namun perjalan mulai tersendat kemungkinan ada nya kendaraan yang pulang weekend. Alhamdulillah seluruhnya dapat kembali dengan aman dan selamat.

CUTI BERSAMA LEBARAN 2017

Assalamualaikum, 

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1438H, Mohon Maaf Lahir dan Batin.

       Tidak terasa liburan lebaran sudah berlalu, tahun ini cukup istimewa dikarenakan lamanya libur ditambah oleh presiden RI Bapak Jokowi sebanyak 1 hari sesudah dan 1 hari sebelum. Total libur lebaran dimulai sejak tanggal 22 s. d. 30 Juni 2017, plus 2 hari weekend pada tanggal 1 dan 2 Juli nya. Khusus nya sy yang kebagian cuti sesudah mendapat jatah libur sejak tanggal 24 Juni s. d. 2 Juli 2017, namun dikarenakan beberapa pertimbangan, sy melaksanakan shalat Idul Fitri di Lanud Suryadarma (kebetulan pas kebagian SOC juga), setelah nya barulah bergeser ke bandung untuk berkumpul dengan anak, istri dan mertua.

      Beberapa dinamika kegiatan, sesampai nya di Bandung dengan menggunakan sepeda motor sy langsung merapat ke rumah nenek istri di daerah Cimahi , dan sesampainya disana ternyata istri dan keluarga sudah berencana jalan ke "vila" paman istri di daerah Ciparay. Membutuhkan waktu 2 jam untuk sampai di lokasi, sebenarnya bisa lebih cepat jika saja traffic nya tidak terlalu padat. Vila yang cukup sederhana namun luas dengan saung di tengah-tengah kolam, sangat nikmat digunakan untuk bersantai sejenak melepas lelah, meluruskan badan yang kaku akibat lama berkendara. 

     Esok hari nya (Senin), sy beserta anak dan istri bergeser ke rumah orang tua sy di Tangerang dengan menggunakan mobil pribadi kami yang imut, Karimun Wagor R versi GL. Jalanan cukup lenggang mulai dari tol Purbaleunyi sampai tol Jakarta-Tangerang, hanya menempuh waktu 2,5 jam untuk sampai di rumah orang tua sy, alhamdulillah. Ke dua orang tua sy sudah menunggu di rumah, setelah sungkem sebentar dan setoran THR (hehe..) , kami melanjutkan perjalanan ke rumah family yang dituakan dari orang tua sy secara adat batak.