Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base (Tjililitan Airfield)

Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base is an Indonesian Air Force Type A installation located in East Jakarta, approximately 12 kilometers from Jakarta city center. The base land is owned by the Indonesian Air Force, with airfield infrastructure shared with commercial civil aviation operations.

Established around 1924 as Tjililitan Airfield under Dutch colonial rule, the facility initially served civil routes and the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (ML-KNIL). During World War II, ML-KNIL Air Group III operated Martin B-10 bombers from the site prior to its capture by Japanese forces in 1942. Under Japanese occupation, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service deployed Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters from the airfield. Following the post-war Dutch return and the Indonesian National Revolution, the Netherlands transferred the installation to the Indonesian Air Force on 20 June 1950. The site was officially renamed Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base on 17 August 1952 in honor of air officer Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma. The base subsequently hosted 2nd Squadron C-47 Dakota aircraft during Operation Trikora in the early 1960s and was a central location during the 30 September Incident in 1965 before being secured by army personnel. Civil commercial operations were introduced to the site in 1974.

The base operates under the 1st Air Force Operations Command, overseeing the western sector of Indonesian airspace. It serves as the headquarters for the 1st Air Force Operations Command, the National Air Operations Command, and Air Defense Sector Command I. Additional administrative and medical units stationed on site include the Air Force Aerial Survey and Mapping Service, the Air Force Psychology Service, and the Dr. Esnawan Antariksa Air Force Central Hospital. The Commander of Wing I at the base also serves as the Air Task Force Commander of the Rapid Reaction Strike Force.

Stationed aviation units include the 2nd Transport Air Squadron operating CASA CN-295 MPA aircraft, the 17th VIP Air Squadron operating Dassault Falcon 7X and Boeing 737NG aircraft, the 31st Heavy Transport Squadron operating C-130J Super Hercules, C-130H/HS, L-100-30, and Airbus A400M aircraft, and the 45th VIP Air Squadron operating Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopters. Facilities include military hangars, maintenance infrastructure, aprons, and the Naratetama VVIP Terminal utilized for presidential and state guest transport operations.