69 Commando

The 69 Commando (, Jawi: ٦٩ كومندو); also known as Very Able Troopers 69 (abbreviation: VAT 69) is an elite multi-tasking special forces unit of the Royal Malaysia Police. The VAT 69 is based at Ulu Kinta, Perak and together with Special Actions Unit ( ms, Unit Tindakhas; UTK), they are part of ''Pasukan Gerakan Khas'' (abbreviated ''PGK'', ). The mission of 69 Commando is to conduct high-risk tasks such as counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency within the borders of Malaysia.

Prior to 1989, the 69 Commando was primarily tasked with the war against communist terrorists in the Malaysian jungle. Today, 69 Commando has much wider counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency role, but it still maintains considerable expertise in jungle warfare; many of their operators are drawn from the Senoi Praaq, an elite tracking unit which is now part of RMP's General Operations Force.

History

VAT 69, also known as ''Task Force, Charlie Force'' and ''Special Project Team'', was founded in 1969 (hence the number 69) and is modelled on the British 22nd Special Air Service Regiment, as a small combat unit to counter the tactics and techniques of communist terrorists. The idea for an elite counter-terrorist paramilitary police unit was originally proposed the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, The Honorable Allahyarham (late) Tun Dr Ismail to fight the communist insurgency.A. Navaratnam, pp.9-10

In October 1969, 1,600 officers and men from the Police Field Force () applied for VAT 69 training of which 60 passed the basic commando training tests. A group of instructors from SAS were sent to Fort Kemar, Perak to supervise the training of the first 69 Commando recruits. Only 30 police officers managed to pass and they formed the first nucleus troop of 69 Commando Battalion. The official name for VAT 69 at that time was Pasukan Polis Hutan 69; PPH 69 (Police Field Force ''69'') and they were part of Police Field Force (now General Operations Force).

In the 1970s, VAT 69 started its initial operations and was successfully deployed against the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) during the Second Malayan Emergency. VAT 69 was responsible for neutralizing a significant number of MNLA guerrillas and seizing large amounts of weapons and equipment. VAT 69 cooperated closely with the Senoi Praaq Regiment, an exclusively Orang Asli police light infantry unit, in operations against pro-Communist ASAL groups, which were composed of Orang Asli sympathisers of the Malayan Communists.

In 1977, three new squadrons were raised and trained by the New Zealand Special Air Service and a special course was conducted to train their own instructors. This expansion program was completed in 1980 and VAT 69 had fully equipped units with its own logistics department.

In 1978, 65 officers and operators from VAT 69 were sent to Hua Hin, Thailand to be trained by instructors from the Parachuting Training Centre of Border Patrol Police, Royal Thai Police. The course lasted for a month and the trainee learned to jump via static line insertion.

Merger in Pasukan Gerakan Khas

On 20 October 1997, under then Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad and then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor.; the Royal Malaysia Police re-organised VAT 69 and UTK under one unified special operations command known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK; ''Police SOCOM''). Although amalgamated into one directorate, they are essentially still two separate entities operating in two distinct operational environments.

Functions

VAT 69 roles are believed to include:
* Intelligence collection in deep reconnaissance missions and warfare.
* Special operations to support the RMP Special Branch in combating subversive organisations or terrorist activities.
* Counter-terrorism operations inside Malaysian territory in conjunction with armed forces.
* Law enforcement operations in dealing with armed criminals inside Malaysian territory.
* Counter-terrorism operations outside Malaysian territory; including Operation Astute in Timor Leste.
* Search and rescue operations inside or outside Malaysian territory, such as aid operations in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Acheh, Indonesia.
* Support in term of technique and training to the other RMP elite units; namely STAFOC, STING and STAGG

Identity

Sand coloured berets

The sand coloured beret was bestowed by 22nd Special Air Service when the original VAT 69 troop was founded and trained by SAS instructors. The sand-coloured beret then given back to the VAT 69 after the beret was officially accepted as an official headdress of VAT 69 on 18 December 2004 by the then Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar.

On 14 November 2006, for the first time in the history of Royal Malaysian Police, the maroon and sand-coloured berets of PGK were honoured as Royal Berets by Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putera Jamalullail, the then King of Malaysia.

Parachute wings

These wings, worn on the left arm of the uniform, identify the wearer as a qualified parachutist, airborne unit and air assault operations operator. The parachute wings are mostly worn by operators from Pasukan Gerakan Khas and are awarded on completion of the Basic Tactical Parachuting Course ().

VAT 69 Commando emblem and insignia

;Motto
:Warisan Darah Perwira (''Inheritance of The Blood of Warriors'')
;Black
:Black symbolises the highly secretive nature of VAT 69 operations.
;Red
:Red symbolises bravery.
;Yellow
:Yellow symbolises "Loyalty to King and Country" ( ms, Taat Setia kepada Raja dan Negara).
;Javelin
:Lembing, another traditional weapon used by Malay warriors.
;Two pieces of the curved Kerambit dagger.
:Arranged to form the number 69, signifying stealth and efficiency.

Organisation

There are four infantry squadrons in VAT 69 Commando with its own logistics unit, totaling around 1,900 members. Squadrons are split into patrol teams consisting of six to ten operatives led by a Police Inspector (Insp) or Superintendent of Police (SUPT). Within each patrol, individual members may specialise in sniping, explosive ordnance disposal, demolitions, communications and as field medics.

Previously separate entities, both the VAT 69 and the UTK were amalgamated into the PGK Command on 20 October 1997, when it was launched by the 5th Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor. However, VAT 69 and the UTK are still operational as separate units. The UTK is now officially known as ''Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment A'' and VAT 69 has been deputised to ''Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment B.''

Based at the Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, the PGK is under the direct command of the RMP's Internal and Public Security ( ms, Keselamatan Dalam Negeri dan Ketenteraman Awam) Director. The unit commander holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) and is the Deputy Director of the Internal and Public Security Branch.

Roles

Originally established to counter the communist threat during the insurgency years; VAT 69 was raised and trained by the British SAS to specialise in jungle warfare, deep reconnaissance and counter-insurgency. Originally trained by the British SAS, VAT 69 commandos conduct land, sea and air special operation techniques, with a specialty in jungle warfare and deep reconnaissance missions. They execute special operations in support of the Police Special Branch fight against subversive organisations and terrorist activities, conduct offensive operations using special weapons and tactics, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, hostage rescue, close protection and supporting the special forces, Rapid Deployment Force () or infantry force of the Malaysian Armed Forces in any security measures.

With the growing threat of terrorism since the 11 September attacks, this unit has increasingly adapted itself to conduct counter-terrorism duties. With the aim of creating teams that are capable of dealing with a broad range of operations (especially counter-terrorism operations), the PGK has forged closer relations with the special forces of the Malaysian Armed Forces, including the 10th Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas, PASKAL and PASKAU, so as to enable them to more effectively enforce security within Malaysia's borders.

VAT 69's and UTK's snipers, technicians and explosive expertise specialists regularly cross-train with foreign special forces including the Special Air Service Regiments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the Royal Thai Border Patrol Police, and a number of U.S. services including the Army Green Berets, Navy SEALs and others.

In 2014, RMP establishes new elite units ( STAFOC, STING and STAGG). UTK and VAT 69 is given another role which is to support these three new units in term of training and technical capabilities.

Recruitment, selection and training

All members of the Malaysian police services with two years of service can enter the Basic 69 Commando Course (). To enter the commando course, the police personnel need to enter and pass the Kursus Asas Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) (''General Operations Force (GOF) Basic Course'') which last for three months. Trainees will learn jungle operations during the GOF Basic Course. Because of this, many of VAT 69 operators are drawn from the GOF personnel.

The Basic 69 Commando Course lasts for three months training period, which includes thirteen weeks of basic training and nine weeks of advanced training. A primary selection period is as long as two days. Depending on the department's policy, officers generally have to serve a minimum tenure within the department before being able to apply for a specialist section such as VAT 69 & UTK. This tenure requirement is based on the fact that PGK officers are still law enforcement officers and must have a thorough knowledge of department policies and procedures. To be eligible to join the PGK special forces, one must be younger than 30 years old and have a good health record.

Prospective trainees are expected to exceed the minimum requirements of the Physical Screening Test (PST), which requires that trainees must be able to:
# Run 3.2 km in 11 minutes or less
# Swim freestyle for at least 8–10 laps
# Do at least 9–13 chin-ups
# Do at least 30 sit-ups
# Do at least 60 push-ups
# Do at least 30 squat thrusts

Basic 69 Commando Course

In Basic 69 Commando Course, it has three phases which are:

;First Phase
:Trainees will spend most of their time mastering patrol techniques.

;Second Phase
:In this phase, all trainees will learn skills and lessons such as tracking, communication, field medical and explosive. This also involves making booby traps, explosives and various demolition techniques.

;Third Phase
:Final movement test where the trainees are tested in all aspects of the skills and lessons that they had learned. At the moment, special attention is given to trainees who show leadership potential.

Advanced Training

To accomplish its varied mission profiles, the 69 Commando ensures that its members are well trained in the required aspects of special operations. These include:

;Insertion Techniques
# HALO/HAHO
# Fast roping techniques
# Helo casting
# Abseiling
# Combat diving

;Combat Techniques
# Close Quarters Combat – CQC
# Counter-insurgency
# Unconventional warfare
# Sabotage
# Close VIP protection
# Vehicular assault
# Unarmed combat
# Knife combat
# Marksmanship
# Booby-trap defusal
# Underwater demolitions

;Intelligence Gathering
# Intelligence
# Counter-intelligence
# Special reconnaissance
# Long-range Combat Patrol

;Task Oriented
# Aircraft Hijackings
# Car stops
# Combat, Search and Rescue ( CSAR)
# Coordinate multi-location warrant service
# Dignitary