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COUNTRY INFORMATION

YouTube: (2024) First time in Jakarta
YouTube: (March 2024): The wonders of Java (Indonesia)

Diplomatic relations were established on December 28, 1949,
A new, US Embassy inaugurated on March 19, 2019.

U.S. Embassy: Indonesia
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Politico: (April 17):
Diplomatic cables show Iran war is damaging US on multiple fronts across the world - POLITICO

Historical Summary - US Embassy Jakarta
(Source:from Gemini.ai)

The Cold War and "Konfrontasi" (1949–1965)

• Dec 28, 1949: Formal establishment of diplomatic relations. The U.S. was one of the first nations to recognize Indonesian independence.

• The 1958 CIA "Incident": While not a direct attack on the embassy building, the 1958 "Allen Pope" incident (a U.S. pilot shot down supporting a rebellion) created extreme hostility toward the embassy staff, who were viewed as agents of subversion.

• 1963–1965 (Konfrontasi): During the "Confrontation" with Malaysia, Sukarno’s government became increasingly anti-American. The U.S. Embassy was frequently targeted by state-sanctioned protests. In 1964 and 1965, mobs organized by the PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) periodically surrounded the embassy, leading to severe restrictions on the movement of embassy personnel.

2. The 1965 Coup and its Aftermath

• September 30, 1965: Following a failed coup attempt by the "30th of September Movement," Indonesia entered a period of extreme violence.

• MSG Role: The embassy was isolated as the military under General Suharto launched a purge of communists. Declassified documents show the embassy was tracking executions closely. This era is historically sensitive as it is alleged the embassy provided "death lists" to the Indonesian military.

3. The Fall of Suharto and "Reformasi" (1998)

• May 1998 Riots: As the Asian Financial Crisis triggered mass unrest, Jakarta descended into chaos.

• Incident: Protesters converged on the embassy area near Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. While the embassy itself was not breached, the violence in the city forced an ordered departure of all non-essential personnel and families. MSGs were in a state of maximum alert to secure the perimeter as student protesters occupied the nearby parliament.

4. The Counter-Terrorism Era (2000–2012)

• August 5, 2000: A bomb squad was called to the embassy after a "mysterious device" (a small bottle filled with explosive materials) was discovered on the grounds. It was safely removed before detonating.

• September 9, 2004: A massive truck bomb detonated outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, just a short distance from the U.S. mission. While the U.S. Embassy was not the target, this event led to a permanent upgrade of the "Hardened" security posture for all Western missions in Jakarta, including reinforced walls and wider setbacks.

• September 17, 2012: Violent protests erupted over the "Innocence of Muslims" film. This was a significant tactical event for the MSG detachment:

  • Protesters hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at the embassy gates.

  • Police and MSG protocols involved the heavy use of tear gas and water cannons to push mobs back from the fence.

5. Current Events (2026)

• April 5, 2026: In a very recent development , thousands of protesters gathered outside the embassy to protest the deaths of Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon.

• Security Posture: The demonstration was massive, filling the streets near the National Monument (Monas). Although the protest was largely organized by Islamic groups, it required the embassy to implement "Lockdown" protocols for the duration of the rally to prevent any potential breaches of the Merdeka Selatan perimeter.
  

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March 19, 2019: New, US Embassy inaugurated

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1975
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Abner, Thomas, MSgt 1974-75 Jakarta / 6119-Helicopter Maintenance Chief

1974
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Abner, Thomas, MSgt 1974-75 Jakarta / 6119-Helicopter Maintenance Chief

Jakarta, Indonesia

MCESG Region 3 (MSGBn Company C)
(Volunteer Detachment Archivist Needed)
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