The 17-8-45 formation is an important part of the Flag-Raising Ceremony Unit (Paskibraka) carrying out its duties during Indonesia's Independence Day commemoration ceremony. The formation is more than just a lineup; it is connected to the history of Indonesia's Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945.
The 17-8-45 formation consists of three main groups: the 17 Unit positioned at the front as escorts, the 8 Unit serving as the core group carrying the flag, and the 45 Unit positioned at the rear as honour guards. The number 17 refers to the date of the proclamation, the number 8 refers to the month of August, and the number 45 refers to the year 1945.
The history of this formation is inseparable from Husein Mutahar, a figure known as one of the pioneers of Indonesia's Paskibraka. In 1946, Husein Mutahar was tasked with preparing the raising of the National Flag in Yogyakarta and selected five young men from various regions to carry it out. This idea was further developed in 1967 when President Suharto asked Mutahar to oversee the raising of the National Flag; at that time, Mutahar developed the troop arrangement into three groups according to the numbers 17-8-45.
During the ceremony, each group has a different role. The 17 Unit serves as escorts and guides positioned at the front of the formation, the 8 Unit forms the core group that carries and raises a replica of the Red and White National Flag, and the 45 Unit functions as honour guards. This division means that the flag-raising sequence requires high levels of coordination, precision and discipline from all Paskibraka members.
The 17-8-45 formation holds strong symbolic value because each number reminds the nation of the moment Indonesia was born as an independent country. The presence of this formation also shows that the Paskibraka's role is not merely a matter of ceremony procedures, but carries a message about honouring the nation's struggle history, unity and love for the homeland. Nevertheless, the form of the Paskibraka formation can be adapted according to the type of ceremony; for example, in the 2026 Pancasila Day Commemoration Ceremony, the BPIP established a Paskibraka formation in the shape of five groups reflecting the five principles of Pancasila.
