U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 joined Allied and partner nations in Indonesia for Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2024, Aug. 26 to Sept. 6. The annual multinational training event emphasized combined operations to enhance interoperability and support a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Super Garuda Shield 2024 marked the third year the exercise expanded into a combined and joint event. The exercise brought together military forces from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, France, Thailand, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States, focusing on strengthening partnerships, joint capabilities, and operational readiness.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), MRF-D 24.3, provided aviation lift, assault support, and casualty evacuation capabilities, while 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), MRF-D 24.3, led command and control operations. U.S. Marines and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, also participated in the exercise.
VMM-268 (Rein.) deployed four MV-22B Ospreys more than 1,200 miles from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, to Juanda International Airport in East Java, Indonesia. The squadron demonstrated the Osprey’s extensive range and ability to operate in distributed environments. Additionally, they established a forward arming and refueling point at an expeditionary advanced base in Surabaya, Indonesia, ensuring continuous support for the exercise aviation elements.
The FARP allows for refueling and rearming multiple aircraft without having to rely on host nation fuel trucks. This capability greatly increases the operational tempo and the sustained mission rate across the exercise.
“Exercises like SGS provide complex, realistic training environments for participating Allied and partner forces,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. David Heggland, the current operations officer with VMM-268 (Rein.). “The people have been awesome out here—super helpful, super hospitable—and we can’t wait to work with them again.”
U.S. Navy medical personnel with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), and Marines with VMM-268 (Rein.), provided casualty evacuation support throughout the exercise. The CASEVAC team remained ready to respond, consisting of an en route care team aboard an MV-22B Osprey. En route care teams consist of medical personnel trained to integrate with various aircraft or vehicles, providing critical care to patients while in transit.
“CASEVAC standby is one of our mission sets, and we acted as the primary platform for an airdrop involving Japanese, Indonesian, and U.S. Army jumpers,” explained Heggland. “It was really cool to work with them.”
The culminating event of the exercise featured a combined amphibious and air assault. U.S. Marines with 1st Bn., 1st Marines, 1st MARDIV, executed an integrated insertion alongside the Indonesian National Armed Forces, with air support provided by the MV-22B Ospreys assigned to VMM-268 (Rein.). This final event emphasized the joint force’s ability to collaborate on short notice, enabling critical maneuver, enhancing interoperability and fostering greater cohesion among participating forces.
“We’re trying to be as serious as possible, doing it by procedure, but also having fun with it,” said Indonesian National Armed Forces 2nd Lt. Reno Dewanga, a pilot with 600 Squadron, 2nd Wing. “It was a great experience to engage with people who share the same perspective about military life.”
Super Garuda Shield continues to serve as a crucial venue for U.S. and partner forces to strengthen relationships, improve collective readiness, and prepare for future challenges. The exercise demonstrated the versatility and operational capability of Marine forces, emphasizing MRF-D 24.3’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
“This exercise allowed us to practice and refine our expeditionary capabilities while building lasting partnerships with our allies,” said Heggland.
By leveraging the strengths of multiple nations, Super Garuda Shield contributes to the larger goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, bolstering collective adaptability and resilience among joint and combined forces.
