The (,
Jawi: ڤاسوكن خاص تنترا اودارا) – it is better known as PASKAU – is the special operations force of the
Royal Malaysian Air Force
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, ms, Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia; TUDM; Jawi: ) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (; ). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force format ...
(RMAF; ). Its main functions are to carry out high-value target protection,
ground forward air controller,
combat search and rescue
Combat search and rescue (CSAR) are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.
A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, aerial refuelin ...
and
rescuing downed aircrew assignments. PASKAU is also tasked as the principal anti-hijack response force for military and civil aircraft in Malaysia. This task was taken over from ''
Grup Gerak Khas
The 21st Special Service Group (Abbr.: 21 SSG, ) is a command for Malaysian Army special forces, the '' Gerak Khas''. The 21 SSG and 10th Parachute Brigade are elite fighting formations of the Malaysian Army. Both units are independent units unde ...
''. All PASKAU members are airborne and commando-trained and can be deployed behind enemy lines via air, land and sea to assist in target designation for the Malaysian Armed Forces and RMAF missions.
The PASKAU Headquarters is known as RMAF Regiment ().
History
HANDAU
PASKAU can trace its origins back to 1974. A mortar attack by
Malayan Communist Party
The Malayan Communist Party (MCP), officially the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), was a Marxist–Leninist and anti-imperialist communist party which was active in British Malaya and later, the modern states of Malaysia and Singapore from 1 ...
agents from outside of
Kuala Lumpur RMAF Airbase, and in 1979, another mortar attack resulted in damage to an RMAF
DHC-4 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou (designated by the United States military as the CV-2 and later C-7 Caribou) is a Canadian specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. The Caribou was first flown in 1958 ...
transport aircraft. Due to these incidents, a specific directive from the RMAF led to the formation of a new security force which would take over security of RMAF airbases from the
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army ( ms, Tentera Darat Malaysia; Jawi: تنترا دارت مليسيا) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ () as do th ...
Royal Military Police Corps (RMPC). A cadre of RMAF airmen and officers was sent to PLPK (now known as
PULPAK) to receive commando training. The force became known as ''Pasukan Pertahanan Darat dan Udara'' ('Air and Ground Defence Force'), or by its abbreviation, HANDAU, and was established on 1 April 1980. The new force was tasked as the security force for RMAF airbases.
[In Bahasa Malaysia] The first HANDAU squadron was named 102 HANDAU Squadron. A small number of Malaysian Army ''
Grup Gerak Khas
The 21st Special Service Group (Abbr.: 21 SSG, ) is a command for Malaysian Army special forces, the '' Gerak Khas''. The 21 SSG and 10th Parachute Brigade are elite fighting formations of the Malaysian Army. Both units are independent units unde ...
'' commandos were attached to HANDAU as RMAF Air Rescue Team.
RMAF Security Regiment Headquarters
The 102 Squadron was the first unit to take over security duties from the RMPC at Kuala Lumpur RMAF Airbase, on 1 April 1980. RMAF Security Regiment Headquarters () was established as HQ for HANDAU, and since the HQ establishment up to 1 March 1987, ten more HANDAU squadrons were established.
RMAF Regiment
Since MAREJ's establishment in 1980, MAREJ reported directly to the Air Force Command () for all operations involving the HANDAU squadrons. As part of the June 1983 reorganization of the RMAF, MAREJ was moved under the RMAF High Command () and was also renamed as the RMAF Regiment. At the same time, the HANDAU squadrons were renamed to the RMAF Provost Squadrons. The RMAF Provost Squadrons was given with the task of providing security for RMAF Forward Operation Bases (FOB). As part of the same reorganization, two special operations (Spec Ops) elements also introduced to the RMAF Regiment. The special operations elements are Combat Air Rescue Team (CART; ) and Rapid Deployment Force (RDF; ).
PKU and PASKAU
In 1996, the special operations elements were reorganised and given a new name – ''Pasukan Khas Udara'' (
Abbr.: PKU; 'Air Special Forces'). The PKU strength was increased and its role expanded to include
counter-terrorism
Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or el ...
,
unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare (UW) is broadly defined as "military and quasi-military operations other than conventional warfare" and may use covert forces, subversion, or guerrilla warfare. This is typically done to avoid escalation into conventional ...
and Search and Rescue missions.
The unit also received training from the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
Special Air Service
The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terro ...
and the
United States Special Operations Forces for their new roles.
On 17 March 1999, PKU was moved from Kuala Lumpur RMAF Air Base to Jugra RMAF Air Base. The RMAF Provost Squadrons was separated from RMAF Regiment and made into a single department – RMAF Provost Marshal Department. On 1 April 2002, 22 years after HANDAU establishment, PKU now officially known as ''Pasukan Khas TUDM'' (: PASKAU; 'RMAF Special Forces').
On 24 January 2008, the
Sultan of Pahang
Sultan of Pahang () is the title of the hereditary constitutional head of Pahang, Malaysia. The current sultan is Al-Sultan Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah. He is the Head of Islam in the state and the source of all titles, honours and dignitie ...
,
Sultan Ahmad Shah, was made an
Honorary Colonel of the unit when he honoured the Honor Beret of PASKAU by Chief of Air Force,
General
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...
Tan Sri
The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles and honorifics which are used extensively in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the southern Philippines.
Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and several provinces in Indonesia regul ...
Azizan Ariffin (later promoted to
Chief of Defence Force in 2009) at Jugra RMAF Regiment, Bukit Jugra,
Banting
Banting is a town and the seat of Kuala Langat District, Selangor, Malaysia. Banting has a population of 93,497. The postal code for Banting is 42700 and is administered by the Zone of 15 and 19 of the Kuala Langat Municipal Council. It is situa ...
,
Selangor
Selangor (; ), also known by its Arabic language, Arabic honorific Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity", is one of the 13 Malaysian states. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east ...
.
Combat elements
1980–1993
RMAF Security Regiment Headquarters
* Air and Ground Defence Force (HANDAU)
* Air Rescue Team
1993–2002
RMAF Regiment
* RMAF Provost Squadrons
* RMAF Special Operations
** Rapid Deployment Force
** Combat Air Rescue Team
Current combat formations
Today, RMAF Regiment operates directly under RMAF Air Operations Headquarters and is located at Bukit Jugra RMAF Air Base, Banting. Below are the three main squadrons of PASKAU under the Operations Branch of the RMAF Regiment, the branch that responsible for special operations.
}), is the combat arm of PASKAU. Located at Jugra RMAF Airbase, this squadron is trained in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, infiltration and sabotage, and can work behind enemy lines to destroy or disable
high-value target
In United States military terminology, a high-value target (HVT) is the term given to a person or resource that an enemy commander requires to complete a mission. The term has been widely used in the news media for Osama Bin Laden and high-ranking ...
s. It has
AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM Ground Laser Target Designation (GLTD) team to provide forward target acquisition and tracking for attacking aircraft. Every mission involves a six personnel with different specialisations such as cross-trained Signallers, Medics, Weapons Specialists, Demolitions Experts, Snipers and Boatmen. PASKAU Counter-terrorist team, the Flight Hostage Rescue Team (FHRT), that specialises in aircraft hostage rescue operations is attached to this squadron.
CWS is equivalent to
U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team of the
24th Special Tactics Squadron
The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is the U.S. Air Force component to Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). It is garrisoned at Pope Fie ...
.
, -
, Combat Air Rescue Squadron
, Combat Search and Rescue
, Combat Air Rescue Squadron (CARS; ms, Skuadron Penyelamat Tempur Udara — SPTU), is capable of mounting a rescue operation behind enemy lines. It consist of six detachments operating from air bases with a Rescue Sub-Centre (RSC) at Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Butterworth, Gong Kedak, Kuching and Labuan AFBs. The CARS is also capable of sea rescue through its Maritime Para Rescue Team (MPRT) based in Bukit Jugra.
CARS is equivalent to
U.S. Air Force Pararescue.
, -
, Field Protection Squadron
, Special Protections, Pathfinders and Forward Air Controllers
, The Field Protection Squadron (FPS; ms, Skuadron Kawalan Medan — SKM) provides special protection to high-value military facilities such as air defence radar and forward operating bases (FOB). High-value target protection not only involves installation but also close or special escort duty. This team is equipped with the Field Intrusion Detection System (FIDS) for zone protection. During the insertion operation into enemy territory, FPS would be the pathfinders and able to act as Ground Forward Air Controllers (GFAC).
FPS is equivalent to
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Force Tactical Air Control Party.
National Special Operations Force
In 2016, the main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia were formed into a single special operation
task force. Several operators from FHRT of PASKAU were selected to be part of the
National Special Operations Force.
Training and expertise
It is not obligatory for HANDAU airmen to pass the commando school, it is however compulsory for Special Operations airmen. Since 1996, it is becoming compulsory for any airmen wishing to join the PKU (the then name for the PASKAU) to complete the basic commando course. In 1993, the RMAF established their own commando course – the RMAF Commando Course (). Prior to that, commando-trained RMAF Regiment airmen were required to pass the Malaysian Army Basic Commando Course offered at the PULPAK.
Currently, every officer and enlisted personnel are presented with a light blue beret and light blue lanyard once they pass the RMAF Commando Course, and a tactical knife after they pass the PASKAU expert course. They can then continue to complete further advanced training which allows them to take part in all operations.
On 6 May 2004, only 81 of 198 personnel who started the three month training program received their blue berets, including the best trainee Laskar Udara Meor Mohd Nazri Othman, 23, having survived the challenging three-month series 07/2004 Basic Commando Training while in October 2007, only 20 of the 54 trainees successfully completed the three-month training program.
RMAF Commando Course
The course lasts for 12 weeks and has six modules. In this course, trainees will learn land, sea and air insertion, jungle warfare tactics, sabotage and hostage rescue.
# Camp Module
# Long-distance march
# Jungle Training Module
# Water Training Module
# Dark Water Module
# Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion (SERE) Module
PASKAU Expert Course
PASKAU operatives are capable of conducting operations using:
;Tactical
*
Close quarters combat
Close-quarters combat (CQC) or close-quarters battle (CQB) is a tactical situation that involves a physical fight with firearms involved between multiple combatants at short range. It can occur between military units, police/corrections officer ...
– CQC
*
Combat diving
A frogman is someone who is trained in scuba diving or swimming underwater in a tactical capacity that includes military, and in some European countries, police work. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver, comb ...
*
Counter-insurgency
Counterinsurgency (COIN) is "the totality of actions aimed at defeating irregular forces". The Oxford English Dictionary defines counterinsurgency as any "military or political action taken against the activities of guerrillas or revolutionar ...
*
Counter-terrorism
Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or el ...
*
Counter-sniper tactics
Counter-sniper tactics have evolved in sniper warfare to reduce the effectiveness of snipers.
Reducing the risk of damage
During the stalking phase of their attack, a sniper will, if time allows, try to identify high-value targets, such as seni ...
* Laser-designation – Using
AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM GLTD II, the units 'paint' hostile targets, marking them for attack by air-dropped laser-guided munitions such as the
Paveway
Paveway is a series of laser-guided bombs (LGBs).
''Pave'' or PAVE is sometimes used as an acronym for ''precision avionics vectoring equipment''; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft. Laser guidance is a ...
II LGB (
laser-guided bomb
A laser-guided bomb (LGB) is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser guidance to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than an unguided bomb. First developed by the United States during the Vietnam War, laser-guided bombs quickly p ...
)
*
Marksmanship
A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision shooting using projectile weapons (in modern days most commonly an accurized scoped long gun such as designated marksman rifle or a sniper rifle) to shoot at high-value targets at longer-than- ...
*
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening a polity, effort, or organization through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. One who engages in sabotage is a ''saboteur''. Saboteurs typically try to conceal their identitie ...
* Sang Moo Doo (multi-technique martial arts including
Aikido
Aikido ( , , , ) is a modern Japanese martial art that is split into many different styles, including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practiced in around 1 ...
,
Judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponi ...
,
Karate
(; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the ...
and
Taekwondo
''Taekwondo'', ''Tae Kwon Do'' or ''Taekwon-Do'' (; ko, 태권도/跆拳道 ) is a Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques. T ...
)
*
Sniper
A sniper is a military/paramilitary marksman who engages targets from positions of concealment or at distances exceeding the target's detection capabilities. Snipers generally have specialized training and are equipped with high-precision r ...
s
*
Unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare (UW) is broadly defined as "military and quasi-military operations other than conventional warfare" and may use covert forces, subversion, or guerrilla warfare. This is typically done to avoid escalation into conventional ...
;Insertion Techniques
*
High-altitude military parachuting
High-altitude military parachuting, or military free fall (MFF), is a method of delivering military personnel, military equipment, and other military supplies from a transport aircraft at a high altitude via free-fall parachute insertion. Two ...
– high altitude low opening/high altitude high opening of parachutes
* Single occupant delivery operation module – insertion via fighter jet
* Hover jump
*
Rappelling
Abseiling ( ; ), also known as rappelling ( ; ), is the controlled descent of a steep slope, such as a rock face, by moving down a rope. When abseiling the person descending controls their own movement down the rope, in contrast to low ...
*
Special patrol insertion/extraction
The Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) system was developed as a means to rapidly insert and/or extract a reconnaissance patrol from an area that does not permit a helicopter to land. SPIE has application for rough terrain as well as wa ...
– SPIE rig
;
Intelligence Gathering
This is a list of intelligence gathering disciplines.
HUMINT
Human intelligence (HUMINT) are gathered from a person in the location in question. Sources can include the following:
* Advisors or foreign internal defense (FID) personnel wor ...
*
Special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance (SR) or Recon Team is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organizations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detect ...
*
Counterintelligence
Counterintelligence is an activity aimed at protecting an agency's intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service. It includes gathering information and conducting activities to prevent espionage, sabotage, assassinations or ot ...
*
Signal intelligence
Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is intelligence-gathering by interception of ''signals'', whether communications between people (communications intelligence—abbreviated to COMINT) or from electronic signals not directly used in communication ( ...
– SIGINT
*
Long-range reconnaissance patrol
A long-range reconnaissance patrol, or LRRP (pronounced "lurp"), is a small, well-armed reconnaissance team that patrols deep in enemy-held territory.Ankony, Robert C., ''Lurps: A Ranger's Diary of Tet, Khe Sanh, A Shau, and Quang Tri,'' revised ...
* Providing base security to
RMAF
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, ms, Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia; TUDM; Jawi: ) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (; ). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force format ...
installations
; Expertise Oriented
*
Combat search and rescue
Combat search and rescue (CSAR) are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.
A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, aerial refuelin ...
(The recovery of friendly units from behind enemy lines)
*
Operations in built up areas – OBUA
*
Fighting in built-up areas
Urban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and city, cities. Urban combat differs from combat in the open at both the Military operation, operational and the Military tactics, tactical levels. Complicating factors in urban war ...
– FIBUA
*
Military operations on urbanized terrain
Urban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. Urban combat differs from combat in the open at both the operational and the tactical levels. Complicating factors in urban warfare include the presence of civilians and ...
– MOUT
*
Hostage rescue
A hostage is a person seized by an abductor in order to compel another party, one which places a high value on the liberty, well-being and safety of the person seized, such as a relative, employer, law enforcement or government to act, or refr ...
* Special demolitions
*
Explosive ordnance disposal
Bomb disposal is an explosives engineering profession using the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. ''Bomb disposal'' is an all-encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the militar ...
– EOD
During May 2009, PASKAU participated with the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...
320th Special Tactics Squadron in an underwater search and recovery course as part of a joint training exercise code-named ''Teak Mint 09-1''. The USAF presented
Barret M107 anti-material rifle
An anti-materiel rifle (AMR) is a rifle designed for use against military equipment, structures, and other hardware (materiel). Anti-materiel rifles are chambered in significantly larger calibers than conventional rifles and are employed to elimin ...
s for use by the RMAF PASKAU team.
Teak Mint 09-1 is a joint training exchange designed to enhance
United States – Malaysian military training and capabilities.
Role
PASKAU's establishment has increased the RMAF capability in special air operations such as Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR). It must also be capable of securing forward RMAF bases and be able to assist in the execution of airstrikes using specialist weapons. PASKAU consists of specially selected and trained RMAF regiment personnel. The role of this unit is very different from army ''
Grup Gerak Khas
The 21st Special Service Group (Abbr.: 21 SSG, ) is a command for Malaysian Army special forces, the '' Gerak Khas''. The 21 SSG and 10th Parachute Brigade are elite fighting formations of the Malaysian Army. Both units are independent units unde ...
''; or the navy
PASKAL
The Pasukan Khas Laut (''Naval Special Warfare Forces,'' Jawi: ), commonly abbreviated to PASKAL, is the principal special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
PASKAL's task is to conduct small-unit maritime military operations that ...
.
Identities
Sky blue beret
The Sky blue beret is worn by all HANDAU airmen and later by all units in the RMAF Regiment, including the RMAF special operations teams and RMAF Provost squadrons. Initially, commando-trained HANDAU unit members wore the green beret with GGK's cap badge similar to the GGK but with HANDAU cap badge backing. After RMAF Provost unit was separated from the RMAF Regiment, they were no longer permitted to wear the sky blue beret. Instead the RMAF Provost wear navy blue beret similar to other conventional RMAF units. All commando-trained RMAF Provost members are given a choice, either join the PASKAU and moved to RMAF Jugra Airbase or stay with the provost and their original bases.
The sky blue beret is now only allowed to be worn by the PASKAU team members.
The cap badge position is worn facing left between the end of the eyebrow and above the ear – similar to all other Malaysian commandos trained elite units.
Light blue lanyard
Every member of commando-trained HANDAU was given with light blue lanyard together with green beret and
Fairbairn–Sykes commando dagger once they completed their commando training at the PLPK (now
PULPAK). The tradition of giving the light blue lanyard was inherited from the Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU; now known as ''21 Grup Gerak Khas'') which was originally from the
40 Commando, Royal Marines. The tradition was continued by HANDAU and later by PASKAU even after the RMAF established their own commando school in 1993.
Tactical knife
PASKAU no longer issues Fairbairn–Sykes commando dagger to its members. Each graduate of the RMAF Commando School is issued with a tactical knife instead. The tactical knife is a symbol of jungle survivalist.
PASKAU shoulder tab
PASKAU operators wear shoulder tab embroidered with "PASKAU" on the right shoulder sleeve. Shoulder tabs are synonymous with elite forces in Malaysian Armed Force.
Equipment
Functions
Target marking
:To mark a target for an airstrike, such as radar or
surface-to-air-missile (SAM) sites, sub-units must be able to infiltrate behind enemy lines. The target can then be 'painted' using GLTD II.
Security of important assets
:The unit must secure critical RMAF areas from enemy ground attack. The task is made harder in forwarding locations and other hostile environments where the threat level is higher.
Search and rescue
:Search and rescue missions, on land (on both sides of the lines) and at sea, are the responsibility of PASKAU. A wide variety of circumstances are usually encountered. For instance, when a
Sikorsky S61 "Nuri" helicopter crashed on the slopes of Gunung Gerah in November 1989, reaching the wreckage required abseiling into the jungle. Other SAR missions are shown in the 'Recent Operations' section further down this page.
Counter-terrorism
:Incidents involving hijacked aircraft and terrorists throughout Malaysia come under the remit of PASKAU. The unit is trained to solve the problem with the least effect on the passengers and aircraft.
Capabilities
Mobility
:PASKAU is able to be rapidly inserted into an operational area by land, air or sea.
Flexibility
:The group is capable of being deployed independently or as part of a joint task force with other special operations groups.
Sustainability
:The unit is able to operate independently and conduct special operations for sustained periods without external assistance.
Technology
:The group has access to high-tech equipment and weaponry to improve its ability to execute complex and demanding special operations.
Special training
:The group employs specialised physical training that exceeds that of conventional forces. This is to ensure that operators are well-prepared to execute highly demanding Spec Ops-type missions. They are especially suited to classified missions involving small sub-units.
Mission and the future
The future direction for PASKAU includes the continuous expansion of the team expertise and roles as well as enhancing the team's effectiveness with newer and more capable equipment.
Recent operations
Operation Daulat
In March 2013, PASKAU commandos were deployed on a joint operation with all branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency special forces to execute Operation Daulat. They conducted psychological operations against the Sulu terrorists by dropping leaflets to urge them to lay down their weapon and surrender to the authorities. The PASKAU commandos were used to paint enemies' target via GLTD for strikes by laser-guided bombs against terrorist camps at Kampung Tanduo,
Lahad Datu
Lahad Datu ( ms, Bandar Lahad Datu) is the capital of the Lahad Datu District in the Dent Peninsula on Tawau Division of Sabah, Malaysia. Its population was estimated to be around 27,887 in 2010. The town is surrounded by stretches of cocoa and ...
.
MALCON-ISAF
Malaysia sent troops, including PASKAU,
10th Parachute Brigade, ''
21 Grup Gerak Khas'' and
PASKAL
The Pasukan Khas Laut (''Naval Special Warfare Forces,'' Jawi: ), commonly abbreviated to PASKAL, is the principal special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
PASKAL's task is to conduct small-unit maritime military operations that ...
to Afghianistan as part of thee
International Security Assistance Force
' ps, کمک او همکاري '
, allies = Afghanistan
, opponents = Taliban Al-Qaeda
, commander1 =
, commander1_label = Commander
, commander2 =
, commander2_label =
, commander3 =
, comman ...
(ISAF) in
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
. The team which consisted of 40 soldiers was deployed to assist
New Zealand Armed Forces
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF; mi, Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa, "Line of Defence of New Zealand") are the armed forces of New Zealand. The NZDF is responsible for the protection of the national security of New Zealand and her realm, promoti ...
in the peacekeeping missions and
humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material and logistic assistance to people who need help. It is usually short-term help until the long-term help by the government and other institutions replaces it. Among the people in need are the homeless, refugees, and ...
in the
Bamiyan District, Afghanistan.
Genting Sempah incident
In July 2007, PASKAU, with the 10th Parachute Brigade, 22nd Commando Regiment of ''21 Grup Gerak Khas'' and the ''
Pasukan Gerakan Khas
''Pasukan Gerakan Khas'' (Abbreviation: PGK; 'Special Operations Command — Police SOCOM', Jawi: ڤاسوكن ڬرقن خاص) is a special operations command of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The PGK has two distinct sub-units; the Specia ...
'', supported by the
United States Navy Air Fleet (from
USS Jarrett (FFG-33)
USS ''Jarrett'' (FFG-33), was the twenty-fifth ship of the guided missile frigates, was named for Vice Admiral Harry B. Jarrett (1898–1974).
Ordered from Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California on 23 January 19 ...
), Police
General Operations Force
The General Operations Force ( ms, Pasukan Gerakan Am; PGA, ''Jawi'': ڤاسوكن ڬرقن عام) is the light infantry arm of the Royal Malaysia Police. The General Operations Force was established in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency by t ...
Senoi Praaq
) The Silent Killer( ms, Pembunuh Senyap)
, patron =
, motto ="We never killed anyone who didn't deserve to die"( ms, "Kami tidak pernah membunuh sesiapa yang tidak berhak untuk mati")"Cepat, Cekap, Ihsan"(''"Speed, Efficiency, Courtesy"'')
, ...
,
Police Air Wing,
Fire and Rescue Department, Forestry Department Rangers, Civil Defence Department (JPA3) and local villagers, were deployed in a search and rescue operation after a RMAF Sikorsky S61 'Nuri' helicopter went down with a crew of six near Genting Sempah, in the
Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands is a hill station located on the peak of Mount Ulu Kali in the Titiwangsa Mountains, central Peninsular Malaysia, at 1,800 metres elevation. Located in the state of Pahang. It was established in 1965 by the late Chinese busines ...
. The SAR team located the wreckage on 17 July at 1324hrs with its rotor blades detached. The bodies of all crew members were found in the cabin of the stricken aircraft.
MALCON-UNIFIL 2007
PASKAU was part of a contingent which also included the 10th Parachute Brigade, ''Grup Gerak Khas'' and PASKAL which were deployed to assist the administrative workload at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters in Lebanon which 160 soldiers including 3 Malaysian special forces as the Quick Reaction Team.
Hawk 208 crash
On 27 June 2006, PASKAU was involved in the search for Major Muhammad Rohaizan Abdul Rahman after his Hawk 208 fighter crashed into the sea off
Rompin
The Rompin District is a district located in the southeastern corner of Pahang, Malaysia. Rompin is currently under the Rompin District Council.
The district covers an area of 5,296 km and located 130 kilometres from Kuantan, the capital ci ...
,
Pahang
Pahang (;Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , Pahang Hulu Malay: ''Paha'', Pahang Hilir Malay: ''Pahaeng'', Ulu Tembeling Malay: ''Pahaq)'' officially Pahang Darul Makmur with the Arabic honorific ''Darul Makmur'' (Jawi: , "The Abode of Tranquility") is a ...
on 31 May 2006. The remains of the pilot were found on the seabed 28 days after the crash, 150 meters off the coast of Pantai Lanjut, Rompin, Pahang.
Bukit Batu Tiban incident
PASKAU was involved in rescue operations on 28 July 2005, after a Hornbill Skyway
Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter crashed in Bukit Batu Tiban, Ulu Baleh,
Kapit
Kapit is a town and the capital of Kapit District in Kapit Division, Sarawak, Malaysia on the south bank of the Rajang River. The district comprises 15,595.6 square kilometres and as of 2020 has a population of 65,800.
Kapit is accessible by ...
, near the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border. Three passengers and the pilot died, one passenger survived.
Brinchang incident
On 7 June 2005, 21 PASKAU and 35
VAT 69
Vat 69 is a blended Scotch whisky created by William Sanderson & Son Limited of South Queensferry, Scotland, now part of Diageo.
History
William Sanderson was born in Leith, Scotland January 27, 1839. He started an apprenticeship with wine ...
of the ''
Pasukan Gerakan Khas
''Pasukan Gerakan Khas'' (Abbreviation: PGK; 'Special Operations Command — Police SOCOM', Jawi: ڤاسوكن ڬرقن خاص) is a special operations command of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The PGK has two distinct sub-units; the Specia ...
'' operators were involved in the search for four children who were reported to be missing on Fraser's Hill as well as another two persons who were lost on
Gunung Brinchang in the Cameron Highlands. They were all found three days later.
Piper 28 crash
PASKAU, together with the
Department of Civil Aviation
A civil aviation authority (CAA) is a national or supranational statutory authority that oversees the regulation of civil aviation, including the maintenance of an aircraft register.
Role
Due to the inherent dangers in the use of flight vehicles, ...
(DCA) and the 10th Parachute Brigade of the Malaysian Army, were involved on 14 March 2004, in the search and rescue of the occupants of a civilian
Piper 28 aircraft which had crashed. The aircraft went down in a heavily forested area 3.2 kilometres south-west of the Langat Dam,
Selangor
Selangor (; ), also known by its Arabic language, Arabic honorific Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity", is one of the 13 Malaysian states. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east ...
. The pilot, Captain Nasir Ma Lee Abdullah, was killed while the passenger, Nazarullah Mohd Sultan, was found alive.
PASKAU boat capsizing
On 19 January 2003, a fibreglass boat carrying two senior officers and four servicemen from PASKAU capsized after encountering large waves in stormy conditions. This occurred during reconnaissance operations in the vicinity of
Sibu Island
Sibu Island ( ms, Pulau Sibu) is an island group in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia.
History
The area was declared as a marine park in 1993.
Geography
It consists of several islands, namely Sibu Besar Island, Sibu Tengah Island, Sibu Kukus ...
, Johor at around 10:30 am. RMAF Majors Audrey Smith and Damian Sebastian, Sergeants Radzi Abdul Majid and Saad Che Omar were safely recovered while Corporals Hasnul Abdul Rahman and Ayub Sidek perished.
Bukit Galla incident
PASKAU with RMP
General Operations Force
The General Operations Force ( ms, Pasukan Gerakan Am; PGA, ''Jawi'': ڤاسوكن ڬرقن عام) is the light infantry arm of the Royal Malaysia Police. The General Operations Force was established in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency by t ...
, the State Forestry Department, the Civil Defence Department (JPA 3), the Department of Civil Aviation and the Negeri Sembilan Fire and Rescue Department, were involved on 20 February 1999, in search and rescue operations after a civilian
Beechcraft BE-36 aircraft crashed into the slopes of Bukit Galla, Mantin, Negeri Sembilan. The pilot and his passenger, Patrick Dutrey and Natalie Marie Chappate, were killed.
[ In Bahasa Malaysia]
Gunung Gerah incident
On 14 November 1989, PASKAU was involved in rescue operations after a TUDM Sikorsky S61 'Nuri' helicopter went down on the slopes of Gunung Gerah and Gunung Bilah near the Kelantan-Perak border. 21 passengers were killed, including 15 policemen from the
General Operations Force
The General Operations Force ( ms, Pasukan Gerakan Am; PGA, ''Jawi'': ڤاسوكن ڬرقن عام) is the light infantry arm of the Royal Malaysia Police. The General Operations Force was established in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency by t ...
of the
Royal Malaysia Police
The Royal Malaysia Police (often abbreviated RMP) ( ms, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM)), is a (primarily) uniformed national and federal police force in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organisation. Its headquarters are located at Bukit Aman ...
.
See also
*
Elite Forces of Malaysia
The Special Forces and Elite Forces include both a specially and higher trained unit and a small percentage of personnel from a specific Malaysian military branch, law enforcement or government agency. In Malaysia, the term 'Special Forces' is wid ...
**Malaysian Army
21st ''Grup Gerak Khas''
**Malaysian Army
10th Parachute Brigade
** Royal Malaysian Navy
PASKAL
The Pasukan Khas Laut (''Naval Special Warfare Forces,'' Jawi: ), commonly abbreviated to PASKAL, is the principal special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
PASKAL's task is to conduct small-unit maritime military operations that ...
** Malaysia Coast Guard
Special Task and Rescue
The Special Task and Rescue ( ms, Pasukan Tindakan Khas dan Penyelamat APMM – PTK APMM, Jawi: ''ڤاسوكن تيندقن خاص دان ڤڽلامت ماريتيم'') or STAR is the maritime tactical unit of the Malaysian Maritime Enforceme ...
** Royal Malaysia Police ''
Pasukan Gerakan Khas
''Pasukan Gerakan Khas'' (Abbreviation: PGK; 'Special Operations Command — Police SOCOM', Jawi: ڤاسوكن ڬرقن خاص) is a special operations command of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The PGK has two distinct sub-units; the Specia ...
''
References
External links
Pasukan Khas UdaraRoyal Malaysian Air Force
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, ms, Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia; TUDM; Jawi: ) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (; ). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force format ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:PASKAU
Airborne units and formations
Counterterrorist organizations
Military units and formations established in 1980
Special forces of Malaysia
Counterterrorism in Malaysia
Air force special forces units