PASKAU

PASKAU can trace its origins back to 1974. A mortar attack by Malayan Communist Party agents from outside of Kuala Lumpur RMAF Airbase, and in 1979, another mortar attack resulted in damage to an RMAF DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft.[3] 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 Royal Military Police Corps (RMPC). The unit was drafted at the end of 1976 by Group Captain Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar, Squadron Leader Lai Kiat Meng, and Flight Lieutenant Mior Rosli. Later, Fight Lieutenant Mior Rosli was selected as the unit's first commanding officer. Corporal Mahazir is the first airman to receive commando training at the Special Warfare Training Centre in Malacca.[4] Later, more officers and airmen were sent, resulting in the establishment of a force known as Pasukan Pertahanan Darat dan Udara (the "Air and Ground Defence Force'), or by its abbreviation, HANDAU, on 1 April 1980. The new force was tasked as the security force for RMAF airbases.[1][5] The first HANDAU squadron was named 102 HANDAU Squadron. A small number of Malaysian Army Gerak Khas commandos were attached to HANDAU as RMAF Air Rescue Team.[6]

The HANDAU was reactivated on 1 June 2020, by the RMAF. Existing RMAF Provost Squadrons are now referred to as "HANDAU". Their responsibilities no longer focus solely on their role as military police squadrons but also as air force ground forces and security forces. They are now a part of the RMAF Regiment and wear the beret backing of the RMAF Regiment on their navy blue beret.[2]

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 (Malay: Markas Rejimen Keselamatan TUDM — MAREJ) was established as HQ for HANDAU, and since the HQ establishment up to 1 March 1987, ten more HANDAU squadrons were established.

Since MAREJ's establishment in 1980, MAREJ reported directly to the Air Force Command (Malay: Markas Tentera Udara — MTU) 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 (Malay: Markas Besar Udara — MABES) 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; Malay: Tim Penyelamat Tempur Udara) and Rapid Deployment Force (RDF; Malay: Pasukan Gerak Cepat).[7]

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, unconventional warfare and Search and Rescue missions.[5] The unit also received training from the United Kingdom Special Air Service 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 (Abbr.: PASKAU; 'RMAF Special Forces').[7]

On 24 January 2008, the Sultan of Pahang, 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 Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin RMAF (later promoted to Chief of Defence Force in 2009) at Jugra RMAF Regiment, Bukit Jugra, Banting, Selangor.[8]

Today, RMAF Regiment operates directly under RMAF Air Operations Headquarters and is located at Bukit Jugra RMAF Air Base, Banting. Below are the six main squadrons of PASKAU under the Operations Branch of the RMAF Regiment, the branch that responsible for special operations.

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.[15]

1. Camp Module
2. 160 kilometres (99 mi) Long-distance march[5]
3. Jungle Training Module
4. Water Training Module
5. 120 kilometres (75 mi) Dark Water Module
6. Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion (SERE) Module

PASKAU operatives are capable of conducting operations using:

Tactical

• Close quarters combat – CQC
• Combat diving
• Counter-insurgency
• Counter-terrorism
• Counter-sniper tactics
• 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 II LGB (laser-guided bomb)
• Marksmanship
• Sabotage
• Sang Moo Doo (multi-technique martial arts including Aikido, Judo, Karate and Taekwondo)[16]
• Snipers
• Unconventional warfare

Insertion Techniques

• High-altitude military parachuting – high altitude low opening/high altitude high opening of parachutes
• Single occupant delivery operation module[17] – insertion via fighter jet
• Hover jump
• Rappelling
• Special patrol insertion/extraction – SPIE rig

Intelligence Gathering

• Special reconnaissance
• Counterintelligence
• Signal intelligence – SIGINT
• Long-range reconnaissance patrol
• Providing base security to RMAF installations

Expertise Oriented

• Combat search and rescue (The recovery of friendly units from behind enemy lines)
• Operations in built up areas – OBUA
• Fighting in built-up areas – FIBUA
• Military operations on urbanized terrain – MOUT
• Hostage rescue
• Special demolitions
• Explosive ordnance disposal – EOD

During May 2009, PASKAU participated with the United States Air Force 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 rifles for use by the RMAF PASKAU team.[18] Teak Mint 09-1 is a joint training exchange designed to enhance United States – Malaysian military training and capabilities.[18]

PASKAU operators armed with Colt M4A1 assault rifle providing security coverage for the USAF C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft during the Thunderbirds 2009 air show at RMAF Airbase, Subang, Malaysia.

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.[19] 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.[20]

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.

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.

Since 2018, PASKAU has reissued the Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger to its members. Every RMAF Commando School graduate is issued a commando dagger. Prior to 2018, PASKAU commandos who completed an advanced course received a tactical weapon instead of a commando dagger. The tactical dagger is a symbol of survival in the jungle.[21] Each graduate of a commando school in the Malaysian Armed Forces will receive a Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger beginning in 2018.[22]

PASKAU operators wear shoulder tab embroidered with "PASKAU" on the right shoulder sleeve. Shoulder tabs are synonymous with elite forces in Malaysian Armed Force.

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.[25]

Malaysia sent troops, including PASKAU, 10th Parachute Brigade, 21 Grup Gerak Khas and PASKAL to Afghianistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The team which consisted of 40 soldiers was deployed to assist New Zealand Armed Forces in the peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid in the Bamiyan District, Afghanistan.[26]

In July 2007, PASKAU, with the 10th Parachute Brigade, 22nd Commando Regiment of 21 Grup Gerak Khas and the Pasukan Gerakan Khas, supported by the United States Navy Air Fleet (from USS Jarrett (FFG-33)), Police General Operations Force Senoi Praaq, 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.[27][28] 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.[29]

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.[30][31]

On 27 June 2006, PASKAU was involved in the search for Major Muhammad Rohaizan Abdul Rahman RMAF after his Hawk 208 fighter crashed into the sea off Rompin, Pahang 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.[32][33]

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, near the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border. Three passengers and the pilot died, one passenger survived.[34][35]

On 7 June 2005, 21 PASKAU and 35 VAT 69 of the Pasukan Gerakan Khas 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.[36]

PASKAU, together with the Department of Civil Aviation (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. The pilot, Captain Nasir Ma Lee Abdullah, was killed while the passenger, Nazarullah Mohd Sultan, was found alive.[37]

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, 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.[38]

PASKAU with RMP General Operations Force, 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.[39]

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 of the Royal Malaysia Police.