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Keris MAREX

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Keris Marine Exercise
StatusActive
GenreBilateral military exercise
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Indonesia
Years active2022–present
Participants Indonesia
United States
Organized by

Keris Marine Exercise (Keris MAREX) is a two-week bilateral military exercise between the Indonesian Marine Corps (Indonesian: Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia, or KORMAR RI) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) focusing on strengthening partnership and aims to enhance military interoperability between forces, foster strong working relationships as Marine partners, and ensure regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. Keris MAREX is annually conducted since 2022 in Indonesia.

Overview

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The first Keris Marine Exercise (Keris MAREX) was initiated in 2022. The primary objectives of the Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) are to enhance military interoperability, strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Indonesian Marine Corps, and promote regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.

The exercise focuses on improving maritime domain awareness, expanding military capabilities, and advancing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Additionally, Keris MAREX aims to foster strong working relationships, develop bilateral problem-solving techniques, and forge bonds of friendship between the participating forces.[1]

Keris MAREX 2022

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U.S. marines from Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Indonesian marines from 7th Marine Infantry Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade, held the Opening Ceremony of Keris Marine Exercise (Keris MAREX) at the field of 7th Marine Infantry Battalion, Ketapang, Pesawaran, Lampung, 10 November 2022.

The inaugural of Keris MAREX bilateral exercise, led by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia (KORMAR), promotes military interoperability and maritime domain awareness capabilities, strengthens relationships, and expands capabilities among participating forces. The opening ceremony of the Keris MAREX 2022 was held at the field of the 7th Marine Infantry Battalion (Yonif 7 Marinir) Command Headquarters, Ketapang, Pesawaran Regency, Thursday, 10 November 2022.[1][2]

Marine forces from the U.S. Military and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) held the Keris MAREX 2022 from 11 November to 25 November 2022, at Piabung training area, in Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. Throughout Keris MAREX 2022, approximately 180 U.S. Marines from the Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) force and 260 KORMAR Marines from the 7th Marine Infantry Battalion have trained closely together.[3]

The exercise activities focused on increasing combined capabilities for coastal defense, joint fires, rocket artillery, small unmanned aerial systems, and cultural and community engagements. The exercise includes a variety of training evolutions such as patrolling, close-quarters battle and ambushing, unmanned aircraft systems employment, sensor to strike, tactical combat casualty care, and explosive ordnance disposal. Exchanges of various functional areas include joint planning, expeditionary advanced basing operations, joint planning operations, and small boat operations. The exercise culminated with a mission rehearsal to increase interoperability and display emerging maritime domain awareness capabilities.[1]

Keris MAREX 2023

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Indonesian Marine Corps, or Korps Marinir (KORMAR), and U.S. Marine Corps conducted the Keris Marine Exercise (Keris MAREX) 2023 from 23 November to 11 December 2023 at Piabung Training Area, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, Indonesia.[4][5]

Approximately 150 U.S. Marines and 150 Indonesian Marines personnel from 4th Marine Infantry Brigade, 1st Marine Force (Pasmar 1), participated in this Keris MAREX 2023 to enhance coastal defense, joint fires, crew-served weapons, and small unmanned aerial system combined capabilities. Participants also conducted community engagement events and subject matter expert exchanges to further our combined commitment to regional security and cooperation.[6][7]

Keris MAREX 2024

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U.S. Marines and Indonesian Marines stand in formation during the Opening Ceremony of Keris MAREX 2024 at Marine 10th Infantry Battalion, Batam, Indonesia, 6 November 2024.
Indonesian marines with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion participate in a medium machine gun range during Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 on Kabupaten Lingga, Singkep, Indonesia, 13 November 2024.

Indonesia – U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force–Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) and elements of Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia (KORMAR) began Keris Marine Exercise (Keris MAREX) 2024 aboard Marine 10th Infantry Battalion (Yonif 10 Marinir) in Batam, Indonesia. Keris MAREX 2024, taking place from 6 November to 19 November 2024 marks the exercise’s third year in execution.[8][9]

During Keris MAREX 2024, approximately 200 U.S. Marines from MRF-SEA and 360 personnel from the 10th KORMAR Infantry Battalion trained side by side, focusing on combined operational planning and coastal defense strategies and tactics.[10]

The exercise contains marksmanship ranges, indirect fires with mortars, infantry tactics training, and small unmanned aircraft system utilization. Additionally, to increase the survivability of forces, Marines took part in jungle survival and medical CASEVAC training. The exercise culminated in a final mission, pitting the combined force of Indonesian and U.S. Marines against a notational enemy attempting to execute an amphibious landing. Utilizing tactics, techniques, and procedures refined during Keris MAREX, the Marines executed coastal defense operations and further solidify the interoperability of U.S. and Indonesian forces build during the exercise.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Jakarta, U. S. Embassy (2022-11-21). "United States and Indonesia Hold Inaugural Keris Marine Exercise in Lampung". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
  2. ^ Dispen Kormar (2022-11-11). "BRIGIF 4 MAR/BS KORPS MARINIR GELAR LATIHAN BERSAMA USMC KERIS MARINE EXERCISE (KERIS MAREX) TAHUN 2022". marinir.tnial.mil.id (in Indonesian).
  3. ^ U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia (2022-11-22). "U.S. and Indonesia Hold Inaugural Keris Marine Exercise in Lampung". pacom.mil.
  4. ^ Jakarta, U. S. Embassy (2023-11-24). "United States and Indonesia to Conduct Keris Marine Exercise 2023". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia.
  5. ^ Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia (2023-11-27). "Keris MAREX 23: MRF-SEA, KORMAR Forces Marines intro to MOUT". 7atc.army.mil.
  6. ^ U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. Shaina Jupiter (2023-12-01). "Keris MAREX 23: Introduction to MOUT, Weapons Handling". www.marines.mil. Archived from the original on 2025-02-13.
  7. ^ Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia (2023-12-06). "Keris MAREX 23: 1/7, KORMAR Security Patrol". 7atc.army.mil.
  8. ^ Capt. Mark McDonough (2024-11-06). "U.S. and Indonesian Marines Kick Off Third Annual Keris MAREX Training in Batam". pacom.mil.
  9. ^ Jakarta, U. S. Embassy (2024-11-08). "U.S. and Indonesian Marines Commence Keris Marine Exercise 2024". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
  10. ^ Staff Sgt. Dana Beesley and Capt. Mark McDonough (2024-11-21). "U.S. and Indonesian Marines Conclude Successful Keris MAREX 2024". pacom.mil.
  11. ^ U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. Shaina Jupiter (2024-12-04). "Keris MAREX 24: ENDEX". pacom.mil.
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