Thread: Special Forces

SE Asia has very battle tested units that have seen much combat in different roles.

Kopassus in Indonesia was on the of the first military SF units to free an airplane that was taken by terrorists in another nation. Too bad they happened to conduct the raid the same day Reagan got shot so no one noticed. They killed 4 of the 5 terrorists only losing 1 man and no hostages. Funny thing is they loaded the C-130 with one extra coffin and the terrorist died on the way back from Thailand . They also played a big part in the war with the Dutch over Irian Jaya, the war with Britain, invasion of East Timor, and the internal civil war within the nation.

Kopassus has a rather nasty rep in Asia as a whole for human rights voilations, but they are good at special operations. The unit started out a ranger type unit, then became and airborne ranger type outfit, then a combined airborne ranger and green beretish unit (in different groups), then added in CT skills, then cut back on manpower and became an SAS type unit and now is back to a mixed unit. They used to train with GSG-9, SAS, Aussie-SAS, Green Berets and the Mossad (for intel work). They can no longer train with the USA due to military to military sanctions (Bush wants Congress to end the sanctions). They use varied weapons like the SS-V, M-16A1 (with M-203), FN-MAG, FN-Minimi, MP-5, P-1/P-2 (locally made HP-35) and other goodies.

Indonesia recently formed Raider units which are similar in concept to the Army Rangers in the USA as shock and highly mobile light infantry. They use normal infanty weapons like the SS-V, FN-MAG and FN-Minimi.

The Philippine elite units have seen action againist communists and muslim guerillas for years. The LRC is a new unit formed by the USA to free hostages while the Scout Rangers actively hunt guerillas and terrorists. The LRC uses the M-4 and FN-Minimi.

Thai units saw action in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and their own civil war. Thailand has 2 divisions of special forces which are generally thought the best trained in SE Asia. Thai units carry made different types of weapons like the M-16 family, HK-33, P-90, MP-5, M-60, G-3 and others. They often train with the USA as well.

Well here are some from Asia...

Indonesian Kopassus paracommandos
Indonesian Raiders
Philippine Light Reaction Company
Philippine Scout Rangers
Thai Special Forces

Paskhas used to be like airborne rangers and paracommandos but are not used for C-SAR, G-FAC and CT work as well as a wartime role to attack enemy airbases and the rescue their own bases. They are members of the Indonesian air force. They carry SS-V rifles, FN-Minimi and FN-MAG machine guns and have modern helmets and vests.

Brimob are the mobile police and used to actually be a part of the military (until late 1990s). The unit actually had an Airborne Ranger Regiment in the late 1950s and they were issued with AR-15s in the ealry 1960s. They were probably the first in the world to use the AR-15 in action. The Airborne Regiment was disbanded during the 1980s to streamline the military. Field units use the AK-101, SS-V, M-16A1 and F-88 (AUG) while the new Det-81 uses the M-4A1.

Paskal are Malaysian naval commandos. Becuase they also guard oil platforms they get paid by the private sector and have good gear.

The Scout Ranger Regiment are the Philippines best COIN soldiers. Well trained and equipped they have been in action every year since they were formed (other then the few years they got disbanned for because of a couple coups ). During the 1980s they became famous and then infamous for taking part in several coups on the government. They use M-16A1/M-16A2s, Ultimax-100s, FN-Minimis, M-14s, M-60/M-60E3s and Galil Sniper Rifles. A wide mix of weapons to do their work.

Indonesian Air Force Paskhas Commandos
Indonesian Brimob (Mobile Police) Detachment 81 member
Malaysian Paskal Commando
Thai Special Forces member
Philippine Scout Ranger