RMAF Special Forces

The RMAF Special Forces were officially established on 1 April 2002, but their lineage traces back to the RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force, better known as HANDAU (an abbreviation of its Malay name), which was an infantry unit of the RMAF.^[3]

The RMAF Special Forces traces its lineage back to 1974, following a mortar attack by Malayan Communist Party members outside RMAF Kuala Lumpur Air Base. Another mortar attack in 1979 damaged an RMAF DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft. These incidents prompted a specific directive from the Air Force Command to form a new security force to take over the security of RMAF air bases from the Malaysian Army's Malaysian Military Police Corps (now known as the Royal Military Police Corps).^[4][3]

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. Flight Lieutenant Mior Rosli was later selected as the unit's first commanding officer. Corporal Mahazir became the first airman to receive commando training at the Special Warfare Training Centre in Malacca. Subsequently, more officers and airmen were trained, leading to the establishment of the Pasukan Pertahanan Darat dan Udara (the "Air and Ground Defence Force"), abbreviated as HANDAU, on 1 April 1980. This new force was tasked with the security of RMAF air bases, and the first HANDAU squadron was named 102nd HANDAU Squadron. A small number of Malaysian Army Gerak Khas commandos were attached to HANDAU as the RMAF Air Rescue Team.^[1][3][5][6]

The HANDAU was reactivated on 1 June 2020, by the Air Force Command. Existing RMAF Provost Squadrons were restructured, with half of them being designated as HANDAU squadrons. This restructuring expanded their responsibilities beyond military police duties to include roles as air force ground forces and security forces.^[2]

On 1 April 1980, the 102nd HANDAU Squadron became the first unit to assume security duties from the Malaysian Military Police Corps at RMAF Kuala Lumpur Air Base. The RMAF Security Regiment (Malay: Markas Rejimen Keselamatan TUDM — MAREJ) was established as the command headquarters for HANDAU squadrons. From the regiment's establishment until 1 March 1987, ten additional HANDAU squadrons were established.

Since its establishment in 1980, MAREJ has 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 reorganisation of the RMAF, MAREJ was transferred under the RMAF Air Operations High Command (Malay: Markas Besar Operasi Udara — MABES, now known as the RMAF Air Operations Command) and was also renamed the RMAF Regiment. Additionally, as part of the same reorganisation, two special operations elements were introduced to the RMAF Regiment: the Combat Air Rescue Team (CART; Malay: Tim Penyelamat Tempur Udara) and the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF; Malay: Pasukan Gerak Cepat).^[7]

In 1993, the HANDAU squadrons were renamed the RMAF Provost Squadrons. These squadrons were tasked with military police duties while also providing security forces for RMAF's air bases.^[7]

In 1996, the special operations elements were merged and given a new name: Pasukan Khas Udara (Abbr.: PKU; 'RMAF Special Air Service'). PKU's strength increased, and its role expanded to include counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, and search and rescue missions. The unit also received training from the British Special Air Service and the United States Special Operations Forces for their new roles.^[5]

On 17 March 1999, PKU was relocated from RMAF Kuala Lumpur Air Base to RMAF Jugra Air Base. The RMAF Provost Squadrons were separated from the RMAF Regiment and placed under a new air force law enforcement department, the RMAF Provost Marshal Department. On 1 April 2002, 22 years after HANDAU's establishment, PKU officially changed its name to Pasukan Khas TUDM (Abbr.: PASKAU; 'RMAF Special Forces').^{[note 1][7]}

On 24 January 2008, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, was appointed as colonel-in-chief of the RMAF Regiment. This honour was bestowed during a ceremony at RMAF Jugra Air Base in Banting, Selangor, where the Chief of Air Force, General Azizan Ariffin RMAF (later promoted to Chief of Defence Force in 2009), presented the Blue Beret of RMAF Special Forces to Sultan Ahmad Shah.^[8]

1980–1993

1993–2002

2002–2020

2020–2021

Today, the RMAF Regiment operates directly under the RMAF Air Operations Command and is based at RMAF Jugra Air Base in Banting. Here are the five main squadrons of RMAF Special Forces:

The Combat Wing Squadron (CWS; Malay: Skuadron Sayap Tempur — SST) was the primary combat arm of the RMAF Special Forces. While other squadrons focused on search and rescue or security operations, the CWS specialised in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, infiltration, sabotage, and covert operations targeting high-value objectives. Based at RMAF Jugra Air Base, the squadron included the Flight Hostage Rescue Team (FHRT), a counter-terrorism unit specifically trained for aircraft hostage rescue operations.^[5]

As part of the Capability Development 55 plan, the CWS was disbanded in 2021. Its responsibilities were redistributed between the Force Protection Squadron and the Special Air Combat Assault Squadron, ensuring continuity of its critical roles in Malaysia's defence strategy.^[11]

In 2016, the main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia were consolidated into a single special operations task force. Several commandos from the Flight Hostage Rescue Team (FHRT) of RMAF Special Forces were selected to be part of this National Special Operations Force. However, the National Special Operations Force was disbanded in July 2018.^[12]

Originally, passing the commando school was not mandatory for all HANDAU officers and airmen, but it became compulsory for those in special operations units. Since 1996, completing the basic commando course has been a requirement for any RMAF personnel wishing to join the PKU (now PASKAU). In 1993, the RMAF established its own commando course, the RMAF Commando Course (Malay: Kursus Komando TUDM), replacing the previous requirement for RMAF Regiment airmen to complete the Malaysian Army Basic Commando Course at the Special Warfare Training Centre.^[13]

The RMAF Special Forces selection and training process takes place at the RMAF Combat Training School at RMAF Bukit Ibam Air Force Base in Pahang. Established in 2018, the school took over responsibility for the RMAF basic commando course from the RMAF Regiment at RMAF Jugra Air Base in 2019. Upon graduation, all participants receive a sky blue beret, a light blue lanyard, and a Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. However, achieving operational status requires further special operations training.^[14][15]

On 6 May 2004, only 81 out of 198 personnel who started the three-month Basic Commando training program received their blue berets, including the top trainee, Laskar Udara (Aircraftman) Meor Mohd Nazri Othman. Similarly, in October 2007, only 20 out of 54 trainees successfully completed the training.^[16][17]

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.^[18]

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

RMAF Special Forces 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)^[19]
• Snipers
• Unconventional warfare

Insertion Techniques

• High-altitude military parachuting – high altitude low opening/high altitude high opening of parachutes
• Single occupant delivery operation module^[20] – 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, RMAF Special Forces 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 Special Forces team.^[21] Teak Mint 09-1 is a joint training exchange designed to enhance United States – Malaysian military training and capabilities.^[21]

The establishment of RMAF Special Forces has significantly enhanced the RMAF's capabilities in special air operations, including combat search and rescue (CSAR). RMAF Special Forces is also responsible for securing forward RMAF bases and assisting in the execution of air strikes using specialist weapons. This unit consists of specially selected and trained RMAF Regiment personnel, and its role is distinct from that of the army's Gerak Khas and the navy's PASKAL.

Target marking

To mark a target for an air strike, 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 RMAF Special Forces. 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.

Counter-terrorism

Incidents involving hijacked aircraft and terrorists throughout Malaysia come under the remit of RMAF Special Forces. The unit is trained to solve the problem with the least effect on the passengers and aircraft.

The sky blue beret is the distinctive headgear of the RMAF Special Forces commandos, symbolising their elite status. It features a red RMAF Regiment beret backing (beret flash), with officers wearing a woven RMAF insignia and other ranks displaying metal insignia corresponding to their rank. The beret is awarded upon successfully completing the rigorous Special Forces Selection.^[22]

Initially, all HANDAU personnel within the RMAF Regiment wore the sky blue beret, regardless of their role in special operations or provost duties. Commando-trained HANDAU members used to wear a green beret with the Gerak Khas cap badge, similar to the 21st Special Service Group but with a red RMAF Regiment backing. After the RMAF Provost Unit split from the RMAF Regiment, they adopted the navy blue beret, in line with other conventional RMAF units. Commando-trained personnel in the Provost unit had to choose between joining the RMAF Special Forces and keeping the sky blue beret or staying with the Provost unit and wearing the navy blue beret.^[23]

Today, the sky blue beret is worn exclusively by the RMAF Special Forces. Like other Malaysian elite units, the cap badge is worn on the left side of the beret, positioned between the eyebrow and ear. The beret-wearing style of all Malaysian special forces has its origins in the Royal Marines Commando Snipers.^{[note 2][15]}

In the past, every commando-trained member of HANDAU was awarded a light blue lanyard, along with a green beret and a Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger, upon completing their commando training at the Special Warfare Training Centre. This tradition of the light blue lanyard traces back to the Malaysian Special Service Unit, which adopted it from the 40 Commando, Royal Marines, during its founding. The tradition was upheld by HANDAU and later by the RMAF Special Forces, even after the RMAF began conducting its own commando course in 1993.^[3]

Since 2018, the RMAF Combat Training School has been issuing the Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger to all its graduates, replacing the previous practice of awarding a Glock knife to RMAF Special Forces commandos who completed advanced courses. The Fairbairn-Sykes dagger is considered a prestigious symbol of belonging to an elite commando unit.^[24][25]

RMAF Special Forces commandos wear a shoulder tab embroidered with "PASKAU" on the right shoulder sleeve. Shoulder tabs are synonymous with elite forces in the Malaysian Armed Forces. Prior to the unit's name change in 2002, all RMAF commandos wore a "HANDAU" shoulder tab, as the units that are now part of RMAF Special Forces were previously part of the RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force (HANDAU).^[3]

The RMAF Special Forces, as a ground-based unit within the air force, wear tiger-stripe green combat uniforms as their official attire. This tiger-stripe camouflage pattern was previously used by the Malaysian Army until they transitioned to a digital pattern in 2013. Today, the tiger-stripes pattern is still utilised by the RMAF Special Forces and RMAF Ground Base Air Defence to showcase their ground-based combat capabilities.^[26]

Retired weapons

•M16 rifle variant A1 & M653 Carbine - now use for training and ceremony

���Vektor SP1 semi automatic pistol

•Heckler & Koch P9 semi automatic pistol

•Heckler & Koch PSG1 semi automatic rifle

Mobility

RMAF Special Forces 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 commandos are well-prepared to execute highly demanding Spec Ops-type missions. They are especially suited to classified missions involving small sub-units.

The future direction for RMAF Special Forces includes the continuous expansion of the team expertise and roles as well as enhancing the team's effectiveness with newer and more capable equipment.

On 18th July 2014, after the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Donetsk, Ukraine, four commandos from the RMAF Special Forces were deployed as security personnel for Malaysia's MH17 Negotiation Team, known as "The Dozen Persons". The four commandos included Major Muhammad Mustafa Omar RMAF, Air Force Sergeant Shahrizal Abu Bakar (retired as Warrant Officer II), Air Force Corporal Rosli Mustafa (retired as Flight Sergeant), and Leading Aircraftman Mohd Afendy Ahmad Zaini. The team, accompanied by specialists, covertly entered separatist-controlled areas through the warzone to negotiate the repatriation of the remains of MH17 victims, including crew and passengers, and recover the flight recorders essential for the crash investigation.^[29]

In March 2013, RMAF Special Forces commandos played a key role in Operation Daulat, a joint operation involving all branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police, and Malaysia Coast Guard special forces. RMAF Special Forces commandos conducted psychological operations by dropping leaflets urging Sulu terrorists to surrender. Additionally, they employed Ground Laser Target Designators (GLTD) to mark enemy targets for airstrikes with laser-guided bombs against terrorist camps in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.^[30]

Malaysia sent troops, including RMAF Special Forces, 10th Parachute Brigade, 21st Special Service Group and PASKAL to Afghanistan 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.^[31]

In July 2007, RMAF Special Forces, with the 10th Parachute Brigade, 22nd Commando Regiment 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, Malaysia Civil Defence Force 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.^[32][33] The SAR team located the wreckage on 17 July at 1324 hrs with its rotor blades detached. The bodies of all crew members were found in the cabin of the stricken aircraft.^[34]

RMAF Special Forces was part of a contingent which also included the 10th Parachute Brigade, 21st Special Service Group 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.^[35][36]

On 27 June 2006, RMAF Special Forces 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 metres (0.081 nmi) off the coast of Pantai Lanjut, Rompin, Pahang.^[37][38]

RMAF Special Forces 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.^[39][40]

On 7 June 2005, 21 RMAF Special Forces and 35 VAT 69 of the Pasukan Gerakan Khas commandos 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.^[41]

RMAF Special Forces, together with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the 10th Parachute Brigade, 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 (2.0 mi) southwest of the Langat Dam, Selangor. The pilot, Captain Nasir Ma Lee Abdullah, was killed while the passenger, Nazarullah Mohd Sultan, was found alive.^[42]

On 19 January 2003, a fibreglass boat carrying two senior officers and four servicemen from RMAF Special Forces 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. Major Audrey Smith RMAF and Major Damian Sebastian RMAF, Sergeant Radzi Abdul Majid and Sergeant Saad Che Omar were safely recovered while Corporal Hasnul Abdul Rahman and Corporal Ayub Sidek perished.^[43]

RMAF Special Air Service with RMP General Operations Force, the State Forestry Department, the Malaysia Civil Defence Force, the Department of Civil Aviation and the 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.^[44]

On 14 November 1989, Combat Air Rescue Team was involved in rescue operations after a RMAF Sikorsky S-61 '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.

Despite being the youngest special forces unit in Malaysia, the RMAF Special Forces has produced individuals who have left an indelible mark on history. Some of the notable members include:

• Mior Rosli – Major Hj. Mior Rosli bin Dato’ Hj. Mior Mohd Jaafar RMAF (retired), known as the founding father of the RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force (HANDAU) and RMAF Special Forces, was the first officer commanding the unit. He played a pivotal role in draughting the foundation of RMAF HANDAU, which later evolved into the RMAF Special Forces. After retiring, he became a prominent activist, serving as the president of an NGO dedicated to defending the welfare of military veterans. In the political arena, he stood as an independent candidate for the P118 Setiawangsa parliamentary seat during Malaysia's 15th general election.^[45][46][47]
• Mustafa Omar – Colonel Muhammad Mustafa bin Omar RMAF has been the Commander of the RMAF Special Forces since July 2023. Initially trained as an aircraft engineer, he transitioned to become a special forces commando. He gained international recognition for his prominent role in Malaysia's Negotiation Team for MH17, where he was involved in examining the MH17 flight recorders, with his image featured in global news coverage.^[48]

• Elite Forces of Malaysia
  • Malaysian Army 21st Special Service Group
  • Malaysian Army 10th Parachute Brigade
  • Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL
  • Malaysia Coast Guard Special Task and Rescue
  • Royal Malaysia Police Pasukan Gerakan Khas

• Pasukan Khas Udara Royal Malaysian Air Force