Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, meets with Indonesian leaders

16 August 2024

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, met with key leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 31, 2024.

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Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, meets with Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, for an office call in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 31, 2024.

240731-O-N0824-1001 JAKARTA, Indonesia (July 31, 2024) -- Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, meets with Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, for an office call in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 31, 2024. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (Courtesy photo by Indonesian Navy Public Relations)

During his two-day visit Kacher met with the Hon. Kamala Shirin Lakhdir, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, as well as Adm. Muhammad Ali, chief of staff of the Indonesian Navy, and Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, to discuss current and future cooperation between the U.S. and Indonesian navies.

Kacher’s visit to Indonesia underscored the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific both the United States and Indonesia embrace through joint exercises and leadership engagements.

"Indonesia and the US are both maritime nations, and we have been vital partners over the last 75 years. Engagements with our Indonesian navy counterparts like those I was able to have in Jakarta remain the cornerstone of our strong bilateral defense relationship."

During this trip, discussions between the admirals were centered around building that relationship through support for a rules-based order in the maritime domain while enhancing abilities to respond to shared challenges, including short-notice at-sea engagements, humanitarian assistance/disaster response, and looking into future opportunities to operate together.

This year also marked the 30th iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Indonesia, highlighting the 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. During that time, the naval partnership has grown to incorporate staff talks, joint operations, disaster relief operations, and working together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.