Jakarta. The Indonesian Air Force has dispelled concerns over the presence of low-flying F-16 Fighting Falcon jets in Jakarta’s skies the day after protests, saying that the warplanes were only practicing for an upcoming running event.

Many Jakartans posted online about hearing roars of fighter jets on Friday at around 6 a.m. Some netizens even feared that the jets were one of the government’s crowd control tactics following Thursday’s demonstrations. The Air Force quickly clarified that the warplanes were only out for a ceremonial flight or a “flypast” at the government-backed Merdeka Run to be held this Saturday. 

“The flights were part of the practices for the Merdeka Run that seeks to enliven the Independence Day celebrations,” the statement reads.

The routine involved three F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. These US-made planes left East Java’s Iswahjudi base to fly around the National Monument area on Friday. They flew to the Halim Perdanakusuma base once they completed the planned route. The aircraft will be out in the skies again the next day for a flypast at the Merdeka Run before flying back to Iswahjudi. 

The Air Force is also set to deploy its EC-725 Caracal and CN-295 aircraft for the flypast.

Demonstrators rallied in the parliament area on Thursday, even stretching into early morning, to mark a year after the worst national unrest since 1998. The 2025 riots stemmed from public disappointment over yawning economic gaps and police brutality.

In a separate post, defense think tank Lembaga KERIS wrote that fighter jets could not be used to clear riots or attack civilians. 

Aerial displays have become a common sight in the Independence Day festivities. 

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