In view of this heavy and difficult task, the Jayapura airbase currently enjoying the status of a C-type base, will have its status promoted to a B-type base.

"The change in status will be realized soon, after the necessary formalities had been completed," Jayapura airbase commander Flight Col Suwandi Miharja said here after leading the Air Force 63rd anniversary commemoration here Wednesday.

Thus there would be many changes at the Jayapura airbase, including the number of personnel, armaments, facilites and infrastructure supporting operations, as well a hospital.

"The expansion of the number of aircraft at the Jayapura airbase depends on the state`s financial capacity. But at least it would become an essential force," Suwandi said.

Right now the Jayapura airbase is under the IVth Sector Command in Biak. Under the national air defense system, this sector is directly linked to the Sector Commander and directly under the National Air Defense Commander and the Military (TNI Chief.

In Papua, the Jayapura airbase is an Air Task Force under the umbrella of the military operations command in Papua, where the Papua Operations Commander is the Chief of the XVIIth (Cenderawasih) Military Command himself.

Suwandi said now the Jayapura airbase has a helicopter, a Cassa plane whose operations are integrated with both the airforce, army and navy.

In the meantime, to strengthen the air defense in Papua, the Jayapura airbase has established cooperation with the Sentani airbase for the operation of civil radar which would cover the RI-PNG border region. This radar will be integrated with other radars in Biak and in other areas currently being developed, such as Merauke and Timika.

Under this operational system, it is expected that defense and security in Indonesia`s air space would be sronger and massive.