Fighter jets fly over the KRI Dewaruci, a Navy tall ship, in Manado Bay on Wednesday.
Manado. Rain did not deter more than 25,000 people from turning up hours early to bag a great spot to watch a display of naval firepower in North Sulawesi on Wednesday afternoon. An international fleet review featuring six Indonesian warships and 26 foreign warships took to the waters of Manado Bay as part of Sail Bunaken 2009, an event designed to establish North Sulawesi as an international tourism destination. “We brought our lunch as we wanted to secure the right place to see the warships and jet fighters clearly,” said Delian, who came with her family, sitting on the edge of the esplanade bordering the Bay of Manado. The jewel in the crown was the appearance of US Navy aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington. The nuclear-powered vessel — over 333 meters long, as high as a 24-story building and accommodating 80 aircraft — opened the fleet review, followed by other US warships, the USS Cowpens, USS Fitzgerald and USS Mustin. Several F-18 Hornet fighter planes also took off from the deck of the supercarrier and flew overhead, prompting applause from the crowd onshore. Widodo Adisucipto, the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, took the salute in place of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Speaking on behalf of the president, Widodo said the event was a reflection of Indonesian pride and the country’s “strong commitment to maritime affairs.” The fleet review also featured warships from China, Pakistan, India, Australia and New Zealand. The review was closed by a rally of some 40 sailboats. The nine-day event, billed as the world’s largest maritime event of the 21st century, winds up today.
