SUNGGUH MULIA...!! Jagoan TNI AU Marah Lihat Jenderal Makan Daging, Prajurit Cuma Tempe

TNI AU punya sejarah panjang dan menarik yang dipenuhi kisah – kisah heroik dan inspiratif bagi generasi muda. Salah satunya adalah kisah tentang sosok Marsekal Muda Leo Wattimena. Salah satu pilot paling handal yang pernah dimiliki Negeri Ini.

Leo berjasa besar membangun kekuatan Angkatan Udara Republik Indonesia (AURI) di era 1950 dan 1960an. Saat itu AURI adalah Angkatan Udara terkuat di belahan bumi bagian selatan. Jauh lebih kuat dari Australia, apalagi Singapura dan Malaysia.

Sosoknya dikenal disiplin dan punya kemampuan keras. Dia tak malu bekerja di pelabuhan supaya bisa tetap sekolah.

Baca : Selama Ini Diam, Inilah Pasukan Khusus Paling Misterius Indonesia Yang Ditakuti Dunia

Kesempatan emas untuk Leo muda datang di tahun 1950. Pemerintah Indonesia mengirim 60 penerbang untuk dididik di Trans Ocean Airlines Oakland Airport (Taloa) di Amerika Serikat. Leo membuktikan kelasnya. Dia jadi lulusan terbaik di Taloa hingga kemudian dipercaya untuk mengikuti pendidikan lanjutan sebagai instruktur.

Setelah pulang ke Indonesia, Leo segera menerbangkan pesawat pemburu P-51 Mustang. Dia jadi legenda karena kepiawaian dan kenekatannya. Teman sesama pilot di dalam dan luar negeri sampai geleng-geleng kalau lihat Leo menerbangkan pesawat tempur.

Sebutan 'orang gila', 'pilot handal', 'jenius', 'G-Maniac' disematkan pada Leo saat dia beraksi di udara. Demikian dikutip dari Dinas Penerangan TNI AU.

Pria kelahiran Singkawang, Kalimantan Barat 3 Juli 1927 itu kemudian dikirim berlatih menjadi pilot tempur pesawat 'pancar gas' di Inggris tahun 1954. Indonesia membeli de Havilland DH-115 Vampire yang merupakan pesawat tempur bermesin jet pertama AURI. Lagi-lagi Leo jadi yang paling jago.

Dua tahun kemudian dia kembali dikirim ke Rusia untuk mempelajari jet tempur MiG 15 dan 17. Pesawat terbaik pada masa itu. Lalu dia ke Mesir untuk mempelajari aneka teknik pertempuran.

Karir Leo melesat secepat pesawat jet yang dikemudikannya. Mulai dari komandan skadron pesawat pancar gas hingga menjadi Panglima Angkatan Udara Mandala dengan pangkat Komodor Udara tahun 1962. Usianya saat itu baru 35 tahun dan sudah menjadi jenderal bintang satu.

Komodor Leo Wattimena juga dikenal egaliter dan selalu memperhatikan para prajuritnya lebih dulu. Saat mempersiapkan misi penyerbuan Irian Barat, Leo melihat para prajurit cuma diberi makan tempe. Padahal mereka akan diterjunkan di belantara Irian dan belum tentu pulang dengan selamat.

Sementara itu, Leo melihat para jenderal yang cuma duduk-duduk di belakang meja enak-enak makan daging ayam.

Leo marah besar. Dibuangnya jatah makanannya sebagai bentuk protes untuk anak buah yang mau bertempur.

Baca juga: Inilah Makanan Wajib Tentara di Dunia, Punya TNI Bikin Ngiler. Ada yang Mau Nyobain?

Itulah Leo, pilot dan komandan jagoan yang sangat peduli pada prajurit rendahan.

Setelah Presiden Soeharto berkuasa, satu per satu Jenderal yang dianggap sebagai saingan atau membahayakan dikirim sebagai Duta Besar. Istilah Orde Barunya Didubeskan.

Mayjen Hartono, komandan Kko TNI AL (kini Marinir), dikirim sebagai Duta Besar di Korea Utara. Sementara Marsekal Muda Leo Wattimena menjadi Duta Besar di Italia. Mayjen Sarwo Edhie Wibowo awalnya juga hendak dibuang ke Moscow, namun tidak jadi. Belakangan Sarwo didubeskan di Korea Selatan.

Semangat Leo langsung hilang. Menjadi Dubes berarti harus berpisah dengan pesawat tempur kesayangannya. Seumur hidup yang dicita-citakan Leo hanya menjadi pilot tempur bukan diplomat berdasi.

Setelah masa dinasnya habis, Leo kembali ke Indonesia. Kondisi kesehatannya terus memburuk. Dia meninggal dunia dalam usia 47 tahun. Jenazah Marsekal Muda yang berani itu dimakamkan di Taman Makan Pahlawan Kalibata. Nama Leo Wattimena diabadikan sebagai nama Lapangan Udara di Morotai.

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