The exercise which was conducted on January 16 at UniKL-MIAT campus in Dengkil, Sepang revolves around the scenario of a group of terrorist which had hijacked an airliner in bid to push the Government to release their detained leader. All ‘terrorist’ were subsequently killed in the exercise. Beside the RMAF, the RMP and the BOMBA have extended their assistance to ensure the exercise is a success.

More on RMAF PASKAU here

A total of 11 French officers and 37 MAF personnel have been involved in this command post exercise (CPX).

This has been the second exercise conducted together by the MAF and its French counterpart this year, after a Special Forces exercise known as the Ex MALFRENCH Daggert 2012 was conducted between the AdLA and the RMAF PASKAU commandos last month. (here)

The RMAF Chief of Staff has recently said that Kuantan AFB and Labuan AFB will be the main operational base for the RMAF’s recently acquired Eurocopter EC-725 Super Cougar CSAR helicopter. Out of 12 EC-725 initially acquired for the RMAF, 8 would be allocated to the Kuantan based No 10 Skn while the remaining 4 would be delivered to Labuan based No 5 Skn.

The two squadrons were chosen in view of their respective strategic locations, infrastructure, maintenance facilities as well as to meet the training requirement. Furthermore, they shall be supporting the Gong Kedak AFB which host the No 11 Skn flying RMAF’s most capable fighters, the fourth plus generation Sukhoi Su-30MKM Super Flanker which is task to oversee Malaysia’s maritime assets in the South China Sea.

No 5 Skn was established at RMAF Sg Besi (now Sg Besi AFB) on March 23, 1965 with 10 French made Aerospatiale SA 316B Allouette Mk III helicopter.  The squadron later moved to RAF Labuan on May 13 the same year in order to support ground troops deployed to East Malaysia. This is the time when Indonesia has launched cross border infiltration to the newly formed Malaysia in what it is known today as the Konfrontasi (Confrontation).The squadron has maintained a detachment in Tawau with its Allouette helicopters during the Konfrontasi. 

Tawau detachment in 1967

After a peace deal was signed between bot countries to end the hostilities, No 5 Skn has been actively involved in supporting the Malaysian Army in combating the North Kalimantan People’s Party (Parti Rakyat Kalimantan Utara-PARAKU), communist insurgents operating deep in the thick jungle of East Malaysia. On early July 1978, the squadron is being reequipped with the new Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri medium lift transport helicopter. The squadron has handed over its Allouette helicopters in 1997 to Alor Setar AFB’s PULATIBANG 2 training unit  to become a full Nuri squadron.

When the Malaysian Government enforced its 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 1979, the squadron’s Nuri was deployed on board the RMN’s KD Sri Bangi LST to support the Malaysian Army’s engineers and sappers to construct the country’s first offshore station at the Layang-layang Reef (now the Layang-Layang Island or Station Lima). Prior to the construction of a runway at Station Lima, the squadron’s Nuri has been tasked to conduct resupply missions all the way from its base in Labuan Island to the offshore island. It was a perilous tasks as the pilots depend solely on radio transmission as well as his compass to guide the helicopter to the Layang-layang Island.

An RMAF Nuri on board KD Sri Bangi during Ops Tugu in 1980

As a Search and Rescue unit, the squadron has involved in various SAR effort involving aircraft and helicopters involved in plane crashes. The squadron has been involved during the SAR mission for the ill fated Shorts SC.7 Skyvan (9M-AZB) operated by Airtech Rajawali Udara at Long Seridan, Sarawak which saw 14 lives being lost.

Six years later, the squadron’s Nuri was tasked to perform SAR operation in search of two RMAF Nuris (M23-27 and M23-30) which collided mid air and crashed at Sipitang, Long Pasia, Sabah. All 11 occupants and aircrews on board both of the helicopters were killed in the crash.

In 2004, the squadron has been also involved in rescue operations for two helicopters crashed at Ba’kelalan, Sarawak in two separate incidents which happened in the span of few weeks. On July 12, 2004A Hornbill Skyways’ Bell 206 Long Ranger crashed at Ba’kelalan, Sarawak with all the occupants and crews on board perished. More than a month later, on August 15, an RMAF Nuri (M23-11) from Kuching based No 7 Skn with 10 occupants on board crashed at Ba’kelalan killing 3 including both of its pilots.

On June 23, 2005, No 5 Skn’s Nuri was deployed to search for an RMAF Hawk Mk 108 (M40-21) from No 15 Skn which had crashed at Kg Kerupang, Pulau Buah, Labuan. The pilot of the jet aircraft, Kapt Mohamad Yusari bin Kliwon TUDM perished in the incident.

The last time, No 5 Skn was deployed for SAR operation on downed aircraft was on July 27, 2005 when another Hornbill Skyways’ Bell 206 Long Ranger crashed at Long Singut, Sarawak during an aerial survey mission. Out of 4 on board the helicopter, only one survived the crash.

The lone survivior waving after being rescued by PASKAU commandos

As part of Ops PASIR, No 5 Skn has maintained a detachment of Nuri helicopter at Tawau Airport along with the RMAF’s PASKAU commandos. (here) It is assumed that No 5 Skn will operate the last batch of EC-725 which will be delivered in 2014 (all four of them) to complement the squadron’s remaining Nuri.

No 5 Skn at Labuan AFB

MALCON ISAF has created another success when the contingent has been able to register zero rate of birth fatalities among the local population in its area of responsibilities. The Afghan Ministry of Defence has sent a letter of recommendation to the Malaysian team due to such success.

The Minister for Defence also highlights the RMN success to protect Malaysian vessels and merchant shipping that plies through the Gulf of Aden ever since the successful rescue operation conducted by Malaysian commandos on the hijacked MT Bunga Laurel on January 2011. The success of the deployment of two RMN Auxilliary ships namely Bunga Mas 5 and Bunga Mas 6 has been emulated by other countries.

The crews of Bunga Mas 6 which is made up of RMN, RMNVR, GGK, PASKAL and PASKAU

The Defence Minister also touched on the success of Eyes in the Sky (EiS) joint air patrols over the Straits of Malacca by Malaysia (RMAF), Indonesia (TNI-AU and TNI-AL) and Singapore (RSAF). After three years, the operation has successfully lowered the piracy threats in one of the busiest waterways in the world to zero.

EiS launching ceremony a few years ago. At the background were RSAF F-50MPA and DISNERBAL GAF Nomad

With regard to recent acquisition of EC-725, the Minister said the EC-725 would also assist through maritime surveillance operation from the air. Nevertheless, according to the Minister, the Nuri will be upgraded and shall be sold at reasonable price to assist other countries with small defence budget.

The exercise which was conducted at Kuala Tahan National Park, Kuala Gandah Pahang and RMAF Jugra, Banting Selangor  also involved an S-61A-4 Nuri helicopter from No 3 Skn as well as 2 BAe Hawk FGA from No 6 Skn.

BAe Hawk Mk 208 operated by No 6 Skn

Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri

RMP police during a demonstration of Ops Pasir

There is also calls by Sabah state official that the RMAF should have a permanent base in eastern Sabah to help authorities nab criminals before they could escape into international waters. To date, the RMAF main airbase in Sabah is located at the Federal Territory of Labuan which houses No 14 Skn C-130H-30 Hercules transport aircraft as well as S-61A-4 Nuri helicopter. It also maintain a detachment of Nuri helicopter and a group of PASKAU special forces at Lahad Datu Airport. (here)

Nevertheless, the Philippines National Police (PNP) officials in southern island province of Tawi Tawi close to the international border with Malaysia in the east coast, said they were on the look out for the two abducted men but had no information on their possible whereabouts yet.

Despite the initial peace agreement between MILF and the Philippines Government offers a hope for peace in the southern Mindanao as well as the neighbouring coast of Sabah, pirate and splinter militant factions remain a major threat to the security of this country.

A few hours prior to the rescue of MT Bunga Laurel, South Korean  SEAL commandos have stormed the hijacked Samho Jewelry chemical tanker and managed to kill 8 pirates and captured 5 others. Those who were killed does not include a skirmishes between the SEAL and the pirate about three days earlier when more than 4 pirates were also killed.

South Korean SEALs during the rescue of Samho Jewelry

The TNI-AL also does not show mercy to the Somali pirates. After the release of MV Sinar Kudus on May 2011, Indonesian commandos and marines from Satgas (Task Force) Merah Putih which consist of counter terrorist operatives from Denjaka and Detasmen 81 Kopassus have killed four Somali pirates after they tried to retake the vessel again.

Indonesian commandos with a captured skiff. All four Somali pirates on board the skiff were killed.

A more gruesome fate that befell on some of the pirates is when the Russian commandos overwhelmed a group of pirates, bundle them up in a life raft and sprayed a hail of automatic gun shots on them leaving them as shark’s feed. Most of the time, these pirates are no more younger than 15 year old boy just like several juveniles captured by the Malaysian commando.

And now, after more than a year in prison, the trials on these pirates is still on-going. Quite clearly that the Malaysian captor has treat them well. These pictures clearly show that they are healthy, well fed and happy being here in Malaysia.

Smiling and waving..These pirates are sure having a blast..

Despite the fact that legal actions may take longer time, I surely hope that these notorious pirates would face the brunt of Malaysian law accordingly. Let them and the others know that this country does not tolerate life threatening criminal acts which they commit. To me they are guilty from the very day they’ve hijacked MT Bunga Laurel. It is very fortunate for the ship crew that they’ve managed to send distress signal to the Navy and that they’ve managed to retreat and seek refuge inside a panic room (some called it the citadel) before the pirates could get them.

Nevertheless, it is quite frustrating to see if they could get away from the law just like some of the pirates captured by EU forces, due to the complexity of legal proceeding, further apprehension of the pirates would simply involved the EU forces disarming them and have them to sail back to the shore in a small boat (with “just enough fuel”). Don’t be fooled by these skinnies, the may look harmless now but they sure are not when they hijacked the Malaysian tankers.

Weapons captured from the pirates

The helicopter crew as well as CAR team utilises Night Vision Goggle (NVG) while conducting night time sorties during the exercise.  Night time operation is critical to MAF helicopter units including from RMN’s CUT (Naval Aviation Branch) and the Malaysian Army’s PUTD (Army Aviation Unit). On January last year, a Eurocopter AS-555SN Fennec from CUT’s No 502 Skn had engaged a Somali pirate mothership during a night time rescue operation of the hijacked MT Bunga Laurel off the Gulf of Aden. The Fennec is equipped with FLIR camera as well as NVG.

The locally made semi-organic body armour weighed less than 3.5 kilogram and cost less than RM 20,000 per suit, cheaper than currently available types. Tembusu Resources Bhd’s factory with the initial running capital of RM 16 million would employ 150 peoples within three years. The ballistic vest would be targeting local enforcement and security personnel market. There is also plans to export the vest to Asian market.

Prior to this, another Malaysian ballistic vest maker, Armour Factory Sdn Bhd has been producing a wide range of ballistic vest for military, special operation as well as law enforcement usage. Malaysia’s STRIDE has also conducted research on ballistic vest material to further improve its potentials.

Vest produced by the Armour Factory

Nevertheless, ballistic vest in MAF service is currently limited to overseas deployment as can be seen in operations in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Afghanistan (ISAF) and Timor Leste (Operation Astute) as well as for special operation units including GGK, PASKAL and PASKAU.

The objective of the exercise is to increase the effectiveness of RMAF tactical operation in its Ops PASIR area of operation as well as night time rescue operation by CAR team using NVG. The S-61A-4 Nuri’s autohover capability will also being tested of its effectiveness especially during rescue operations conducted over water. For the first time SAR exercise will be conducted during the night.

This year’s Eks Kelawar will involved Helicopter Insertion and Extraction (Abseiling, Fast Roping, SPIE-Rig and External Load (USL)), Search and Rescue using SARFIND, Night Medical Evacuation (MEDEVEC),Tactical Navigation, Night Combat Search and Rescue (NCSAR), Night Search and Rescue (NSAR) and Night Sea Rescue (NSR).

Around 145 RMAF personnel are involved in the 12 days exercise.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will take on the responsibility of securing the merchant vessels, under a proposal mooted by the ministry of shipping and, as a pilot project, will train 100 of its personnel for the purpose, a government source told IANS. Initially, the CISF intends to post five personnel, including an officer, on board a cargo vessel.

Currently, Indian Navy ships, among those from other nations, are deployed on escort duties for all vessels in the Gulf of Aden region but it has been felt that specific steps needed to be taken to ensure the security of Indian vessels. Dispatching special forces onboard naval ships are not new in the effort to combat piracy.

The Royal Malaysian Navy whose two Auxilliary Ships are currently involved in Ops Fajar has been dispatching commandos on board its escorted Malaysian merchant vessel with great success for several years now. On September 15, 2011, MAF special protection team consist of GGK, PASKAU and PASKAL commando has managed to deter a hijacking attempt on MT Eagle Stealth by Somali pirates. Upon realizing the presence of Malaysian commandos on board the merchant vessel, the pirates, boarding 5 skiffs fled the area to safety.

MT Eagle Stealth

However, the practice of having armed guards on board cargo ships has its flip side too. Earlier this year, Italian marines on board a cargo vessel shot dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast, mistaking them to be pirates. The two marines are being tried by a court in Kerala.

Modenas ATV

Modenas KR 3 500cc racing bike

Modenas Jaguh 175cc

Quad bike ATV is not new with the MAF. The RMAF has been using a Suzuki ATV for base security purposes while Malaysian peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon, the Malbatt UNIFIL is also using Polaris ATV for transportation purposes within the base’s perimeter.

The RMAF uses Suzuki ATV for its special operation unit especially in base security role

Polaris ATV with trailer used by Malbatt UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon

In other part of the globe, the Al-Shabab fighter for example has been using quad bike as light strike vehicle. The ATV is surprisingly fitted with Heavy Machine Gun (HMG). Such measure further shows the versatility and flexibility of such vehicle.

Al-Shabab’s ATV fitted with HMG

Although its maneuverability is unsurpassed especially in off road condition, the ATV also has its own setback, the biggest is its endurance. ATV could not travel for a very long distances. Plus, the vehicle does have tendency to overturn as well as causing injuries (and in some cases fatalities) to its occupants.

Nevertheless, I think that the Modenas made ATV should be given a chance especially for base security, special operation as well as support. The ATV might be useful for parachute riggers to collect the parachute canopies in huge areas especially during a paradrop training. The 10th Para Brigade usually use 3 tonne trucks or DEFTECH Supacat vehicle to collect these canopies.

DEFTECH Supacat operated by 10th Para Brigade

In lieu with such offer, the court hearing which should begin today was postponed until October 8. The defence attorney, Edmun Bon said during proceeding that the prosecution team has offered the accused alternative to all charges which brings to life imprisonment instead of death penalty.

All of the pirates were previously charged under Section 3, Firearm Act 1971 which could bring mandatory death if found guilty. According to alternative charges, they will be charge under Section 32(1)(a) Firearm Act 1960 which could bring life imprisonment or a period not exceeding 14 years.

He said the certificate to prosecute the applicant issued by the Attorney-General to prosecute the applicant was also valid since it was issued in accordance with Section 127A(1)(d) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

On other issues raised by the applicant’s counsel Edmund Bon on facts stated in the charge, Kamardin said it should be decided by the court at the end of the trial.

Following the development, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abas told reporters that the prosecution intended to call a total of 110 witnesses, including crew members of the vessel MT Bunga Laurel.

On July 5, the 16-year-old filed a notice of motion to quash the charge seeking a declaration that the High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the charge against him under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalty) Act 1971.

The juvenile, who is being detained at the Sungai Buloh Prison with six other Somalis, also wanted an order from the court that the charge against him be stayed permanently and/or set aside permanently and/or to be quashed. In his affidavit, he claimed that the purported offence as stated in the charge occurred outside the territory of Malaysia and not on Malaysian soil or high seas.

He claimed that the ship stated in the charge was not a Malaysian ship or registered in Malaysia.

On Feb 11 last year, he was charged with six Somali nationals with shooting at a Malaysian armed forces team on board the MT Bunga Laurel in their attempt to rob the merchant vessel, with the intention to cause death or harm, about 250 nautical miles off Oman, on Jan 20 last year.

They are facing the charge under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

On Jan 20, 2011, Royal Malaysian Navy commandos came to the aid of MT Bunga Laurel when it came under attack by Somali pirates armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, in a rescue operation codenamed ‘Fajar’.

Judge Kamardin Hashim, in dismissing an application by one of the seven accused to drop the charge, said that the Attorney-General’s sanction to prosecute was correct in law. The applicant, a 16-year-old, had applied for the charge against him to be struck out on the basis that the incident happened outside Malaysia or its waters.

Yesterday, his lawyer Edmund Bon submitted that the AG’s sanction to prosecute dated Feb 11 last year should be set aside because it was wrong in law.  He also said the AG’s decision to prosecute, based on the assumption that the pirates’ actions were a threat to national security, was not proven.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abas, in asking the court to reject the application, submitted that although the incident happened outside Malaysia, shots were fired at Malaysian commandos. He said this clearly indicated that there was a threat to the nation’s security and that the AG’s discretion to prosecute should not be disputed.  The judge dismissed the application and fixed today for the main trial.

The seven – Ahmed Othman Jamal, 26, Abdil Eid Hasan, 21, Koore Mohamed Abdile, 19, Abdi Hakim Mohd Abdi, 19, the applicant, and two other 16-year-old juveniles – were charged in February last year under Section 3 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalties) 1971, which carries the death penalty. They were alleged to have boarded the tanker, MT Bunga Laurel, armed with guns, with intent to hijack it. On board were 23 Filipino crew members.

The commandos, from a RMN auxiliary ship, stormed the tanker and a shootout ensued between the pirates and the commandos. The commandos overpowered the pirates and brought them here to face trial.

The tanker, laden with lubricating oil and ethylene dichloride, all of which is believed to be worth in excess of an estimated RM30 million, was on its way to Singapore when the pirates struck. Bon was assisted by lawyers Imran Hadzalie Abd Hamid, Lee Teong Hooi, A.Saha Deva, Saranjeet Kaur and Amrit Pal Singh while Abazafree was assisted by DPPs Najib Zakaria and Lailawati Ali.

They were also visited RMAF’s ACMI center as well as Mig-29N simulator center which are located inside the base.

At the ACMI Center

Mig-29 Simulator Center

Members of the detachment consist of 5 officers and 30 other ranks drawn from RMAF PASKAU special forces as well as aircrew and technical personnel from No 7 Skn oparting the S-61A-4 Nuri helicopter.

Both crews have been operating in the Gulf of Aden for more than 100 days. Throughout 145 days of deployment, the crews involved in Ops Fajar 14 have successfully conduct 23 convoys to escort and protect 14 Malaysian ships while the crews of Ops Fajar 15 have successfully conduct 23 convoy protecting 13 ships within the period of 100 days.

In all, several speedboats were destroyed as well as fuel and ammunition stores, alliance officials said. No lives were lost in the attack and no Somalis were injured, the EU said.

The EU military actions against the pirate mainland bases is unprecedented as most of other countries involved in anti-piracy operation in the area were reluctant to conduct similar action fearing for the safety of the captured hostages.

The MAF currently deploys 2 RMN auxilliary ships, the Bunga Mas 5 (BM 5) and Bunga Mas 6 (BM 6) to the Somali coast as part of Ops Fajar, a Malaysian Government mandated anti piracy operation which aims to protect Malaysian maritime trade interest. A small air element consist of a single AS-555SN Fennec helicopter operated by CUT’s No 502 Skn is also deployed on board the BM 5.

BM 5 also brought a team of National Special Operation Forces (NSOF) operators which were drawn from RMAF’s PASKAU, RMN’s PASKAL, the Malaysian Army’s GGK as well as RMP’s VAT 69/UTK units. It is not known whether the NSOF operatives were also attached to BM 6.

Nevertheless, prior to the operation, the US Special Forces led by the Navy SEAL had successfully conducted nightime raid on the pirate’s hideout in Gadaado on January 26, rescuing two aid workers, an American and a Dane.

The commando were parachuted in the dark from special operation aircraft, walk their way amidst heavy fire, rescue the hostages and were brought out from Somalia via special operation helicopters awaiting for them and ferried them to safety.(here)

This year, the exercise will be carried out merging activities conducted by GGK from Malaysian Army with Special Service Group (USAF) known as Ex Balance Mint. The merging of both exercises (Balance and Teak Mint) is aimed to optimize the usage of air assets and support requirements and thus enhancement of interactions among all participating personnel in conducting the exercise.

PASKAU operators during parajump training with USAF counterparts

USAF special forces undergoing jungle survival training

Among RMAF aircraft that were put to display were the Su-30MKM, Mig-29N, Beech B-200TMP, Fokker F-28, C-130H-30 Hercules, MB-339CM, PC-7 Mk I, CN-235-200 and MD-3-160.

An S-61A-4 Nuri helicopter was involved in the dynamic demonstration of RMAF’s elite PASKAU unit. Mig-29N and Su-30MKM jets also put a stunning display during the event.

An exhibition was held inside the No 20 Skn’s hangar attended by Malaysia’s defence industries, UPNM as well as RMAF’s units including No 401 GBAD Skn which operates the Starbust VSHORAD missiles.

The RMAF took the opportunity to launch its new official magazine dubbed the Air Force Digest. Later in the evening, a concert was held which was performed by various Malaysian artist including Hattan, Adibah Noor, Ana Rafali and many more.

The RMAF’s Pasukan Khas Udara-Special Air Unit (PASKAU) recently celebrate its 33rd years of foundation at RMAF Jugra. The unit owes its history from the creation of RAF Regiment (Malaya) in 1948. As similar to its parent unit, RAF Regiment (Malaya) is a specialist airfield defence corp that are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance, minimise the damage caused by a successful attack and ensure that air operations can continue without delay in the aftermath of an attack.

91 Sqn RAF Regiment (Malaya)

The regiment uphold the aggressive defence doctrine whereby they actively seek out infiltrators in a large area surrounding the airfield. Six RAF Regiment (Malaya) Squadrons were established from 1948 to 1961 starting from 91 Sqn until 96 Sqn. These units were very active during the Malayan Emergency against Malayan Communist Party guerrilla.

Mortar Det 93 Sqn RAF Regiment (Malaya)

With the formation of RMAF in 1958, most of the RAF Regiment (Malaya) personnel were absorbed into the RMAF Regiment (now known as Rejimen TUDM) which consist of Provos TUDM, PASKAU, GBAD and infantry unit.

PASKAU or previously known as HANDAU (Air and Land Defence-Pertahanan Darat dan Udara) was formally established in the aftermath of a communist’s mortar attack on Sungei Besi AFB which destroyed a single DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft.

RMAF Caribou damaged by Communist Insurgent’s mortar fire

The May 1975 incident prompted the RMAF to establish HANDAU in 1st April 1980 with the creation of Skn 102. Within the coming years, ten other PASKAU’s squadrons were established which include Skn 201, Skn 202, Skn 103, Skn 104, Skn 105,Skn 106, Skn 107, Skn 208, Skn 109 and Skn 204.

RMAF Regiment’s Ferret Scout Car

HANDAU in 1986

HANDAU operators during parachute training

Among HANDAU’s first mission was the search and rescue of Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie’s crashed Cessna 206 aircraft somewhere in Janda Baik, Pahang on January 10, 1982. (here) Elements from No 103 Skn were deployed from No 10 Skn’s three S-61A-4 Nuri and a single Allouette Mk III helicopters in search for the missing wreckage as well as its three occupants.

In 1993, HANDAU was reorganised as RMAF Provost squadrons in which its roles and operations mainly  concentrate on CSAR, Rapid Deployment Force and Forward Operating Base securities. Three years later, as part of the restructuring of the regiment as well as the unit, HANDAU was renamed as PASKAU and was organised in the same line as PASKAL and GGK of the RMN and Malaysian Army respectively.

Several units within PASKAU were established namely the Hostage Rescue Unit (HRU) which speacialises in aircraft rescue operations, CSAR unit, Field Protection Unit (FPU), JTAC and GTLD unit as well as Maritime Para Rescue Team (MPRT). All unit are air transportable and could be deployed by either an aircraft or helicopter.

PASKAU SOF Unit

PASKAU GTLD/JTAC Team

PASKAU HRU

PASKAU CSAR Unit, equivalent to USAF PJs

PASKAU FPU

PASKAU MPRT rubber boat inside the cargo hold of RMAF C-130 transport aircraft

PASKAU Suzuki ATV quadmotor

Element from PASKAU’s UPARP has been active in providing SOF support to MAF overseas deployment such as MALBAT UNIFIL and SPT Ops Fajar. The initial nucleus of MMEA’s Special Tactic and Rescue (STAR) Team was trained by PASKAU operator at RMAF Jugra.

PASKAU operator as part of MALBAT UNIFIL QRF team

PASKAU and Ops Fajar Special Protection Team after the successful rescue of MT Bunga Laurel

The nucleus of MMEA STAR team. Note PASKAU’s blue beret

As similar to other SOF unit, female were not allowed into PASKAU. The RMAF Regiment however maintained several female personnel for provost role.

RMAF female provost with PASKAU FPU operator.

It has been more than a month now that the RMN Auxilliary Ship Bunga Mas 5 (BM 5) set sail to Gulf of Aden to continue its mission as part of Ops Fajar 14. BM 5 was the ship that rescue a Malaysian tanker, MT Bunga Laurel early last year.

This would be the ship’s fifth deployment to Gulf of Aden ever since it was first deployed there on June 22, 2009. In its previous deployment, BM 5 has been at sea for 245 days before returning home on February to undergone maintenance regime .

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden as well as the Indian Ocean has not shown any decrease despite intensive international enforcement at the area. Therefore it was decided by the Government that MAF presence at the Gulf of Aden shall be continued to ensure the security of areas.

Eventhough BM 5 has not been around for two month, another auxilliary ship, the BM 6 has taken over its task to protect Malaysian maritime interest that passes these pirate infested area. For the Ops Fajar 14 deployment, BM 5 contingent consist of 41 MAF personnel including the tri service National Special Operation Forces (NSOF). Also deployed were 20 naval reservist from MISC company. An air element consist of a Fennec helicopter was also part of the BM 5 contingent.

In conjunction with BM 5 deployment, an annual maritime counter terrorism exercise known as Eks Naga Mas 54/2012 ( Golden Dragon) was conducted involving 28 NSOF operators, a Super Lynx Mk 300 helicopter, a single AS-555SN Fennec helicopter, four RHIB and BM 5 itself. The exercise was conducted off Pangkor Island.

The Eks Naga Mas was a special counter terrorist exercise conducted annually since 1987 as part of training for PASKAL operators on rescue operation of a hijacked maritime vessel.  Various merchant vessel has been use for the exercise throughout time including MV Muhibbah cruise ship, MV Fajar Samudera and many more. This was the first time BM 5 has ever been involved in such exercise.

The Eks Naga Mas has been credited as the main factor which enable PASKAL operators to successfully secure MT Bunga Laurel from Somali pirate on January 20 last year.