The key to our current National Defense Strategy is integrating allies and partners across all domains of conflict. The president is keenly focused on the IndoPacifc and his strategy intends to- “Advance a free and open IndoPacific that is more connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.” Tactical exercises with our international partners have broadened in scope to be demonstrations of political and economic cooperation. The Garuda Shield exercise, which has been conducted for 15 years, became Super Garuda Shield. In the past it was only the U.S. and Indonesia, with a few observer nations. Super Garuda Shield included 14 nations either as participants or observers. U.S. Army Pacific Command brought a wide variety of units including Infantry, Artillery, Aviation, and Engineers. For the first time the 25th Infantry Division (ID) Band sent nine Soldiers to support the exercise. The inclusion of the band meant a greater opportunity to bolster the relationship between the U.S. and Indonesian militaries, but also make new connections with the civilian population surrounding the training areas.
Initially, the 25th ID Tropic Lightning Brass Band was expected to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies, which would require learning Indonesian military music and integrating with the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI Army) Band. Fortunately almost all military bands around the world use western European music notation, so the 25th ID Band members could learn the music quickly. They also learned a variety of music from the United States, including artists such as Taylor Swift, A-ha, Lil Nas X, Blackstreet, and James Brown. They also included the traditional “When the Saints Go Marching In,” which represents America’s unique artistic heritage of jazz. The plan included two troop morale performances, but the mission would expand significantly upon arrival at Baturaja Training Camp.
Attempts to plan community outreach performances were unsuccessful through the U.S. State Department and Indonesian Embassy. Public Affairs officials from 7th Infantry Division and 3rd Brigade, 25th ID, linked the band with members of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion and a Psychological Operations Soldier. This multifaceted team used their expertise to conduct three engagements in five days, developing lasting partnerships with the local community in the Baturaja Area.

https://youtu.be/dm1M4ZwzXK0
The first event on August 6th was at Taman Tani Merdeka Park in the Town of Martapura, just a few minutes from the TNI Army Base. Over 2000 local citizens enjoyed the band’s music along with food and craft vendors of all kinds. The chance for the community to interact with American Soldiers was highly effective in communicating the importance of military cooperation and thanking them for supporting their armed forces during the exercise.

https://fb.watch/ffHmJcjxKs/
On the 8th, the band was invited to play for a variety of school groups at the Mayor of Oku Timur’s office building. The TNI Army Base lies within the Mayor’s district so much of the local support for the exercise came from the people of his town. This event was especially important since the band got to connect with elementary to high school level students.
