Paskal

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PASKAL
The PASKAL elite logo.
Active	1975 - Present
Country	Malaysia
Branch	Malaysian Armed Forces
Type	Naval Special Forces
Role	Sea, Air and Land Special Operations/Counter-Terrorist force.
Size	Classified
Part of	Royal Malaysian Navy (Malay:Tentera Laut Di-Raja Malaysia)
Garrison/HQ	RMN Naval Base, Lumut, Perak
Motto	Sentiasa Terbaik - "Always The Best"
Colors	Purple Coloured (beret)

For other possible meanings, see Pascal.

Pasukan Khas Laut (Special Maritime Unit, Paskal) is an elite navy commando unit and special operations force in Malaysia. "Pasukan Khas Laut" (PASKAL) was formed on 1 October 1982 with the explicit purpose of enforcing Malaysia's maritime claims through sea, air and land operations (similar to the United States Navy SEALs).

1 History
2 Purposes
3 Training
- 3.1 Expertise/Specialist Course
4 Weaponry and equipment
5 Famous Paskal Members
6 Missions/Highlights/Top story
- 6.1 Special Highlights on PASKAL
- 6.2 Top story (PASKAL)
7 See Also
- 7.1 Similar Navy Special Force Units Outside Malaysia
8 External links

[edit] History

In 1975, the Royal Malaysian Navy saw a need for a security team trained in modern maritime warfare. Its main purpose was to protect naval bases and national assets all over Malaysia. The first batch of 30 officers were sent to the Central Commando Training Center located at Kem Sg Udang, Melaka where they were trained by the Indonesian KOPASKA, UK Royal Marines Commandos and US Navy SEALs.

[edit] Purposes

On October 1, 1980, PASKAL was officially established when the Government begin to enforce its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) which coveres 200 nautical miles off Malaysia's waters. In addition, there was a requirement to protect Malaysian offshore stations near the disputed Spratly Islands.

[edit] Training

As a Special Forces unit, Paskal's personnel must be mentally and physically agile. Every new trainees are required to undergo 3 months of basic commando training at RMN Lumut Naval Base and then, they will be sent to SWTC (Special Warfare Training Centre), Sungai Udang to experience basic parachuting and diving. Those who passed the grueling training process, will continue to withstand the Advanced First Class training. Paskal's personnel are given specialize courses in several fields such as medical, communications, explosives and electrical / mechanical repairing. They are also required to pass a physical test once for every three months. Among the test conducted:

7.8km running in 24 minutes (below 24 years of age)
1.5km swimming not more than 25 minutes (in swimming pool)
6.4km sea swimming with full mission load-in under 120 minutes

Day/Night sky diving at peak spot ie. hills, building and ocean surface.
Free style swimming for 1.5km under 31 minutes
Surviving in water with hands and feet tighten (drown-proofing)
Diving without breathing apparatus for minimal 7m in depth

Basic Recruitment Course

1] Pre-Selection/Warm-Up
2] Basic PASKAL commando
3] Diving endurance
4] Basic Sky-Diving

Carrier Development Course

i) First Class enrollment
ii) Underwater Combat Maneuver
iii) "Laskar Kanan" enrollment
iv) "Bintara Muda" enrollment
v) Diving/Underwater Combat Superior

PASKAL routinely trains with the SAS/UK, NGSLO, BUD/SEAL, EOD (USA), Submarine Escape (Australia), Assault Swimmer and Australia, Clearance Diver (Australia/USA), Sniper Supervisor (Australia), Mountain Climbing (France), SASR Australia, etc. On 26 August 1991, the National Security Council declared PASKAL as the main counter-terrorist task force for the defence of oil rigs and oil tanker/ship and to act as one of the elements in the Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat[1] (PAC) or "Rapid Deployment Force (RDF)".

[edit] Expertise/Specialist Course

Domestic

Survival Night/Mission Test
Combat Tracking
CSAR
Urban Terrain (FIBUA)
Unconventional Warfare
Minor Combat Equipment Handling
Section Leader
Platoon Sergeant
Chief of Company
Medical War Fare
Tae Kwon Do (Martial Arts)
Close Quarter Combat Tactical
Medical apprentice
Basic Free-Fall Diving
Abseiling and Air Rescue Operations
Cliff Hanger
Small Patrol Movement
Explosive Ordinance Disposal
Sniper
Chief of Diving
Small Vehicle Operator
Small Water base trans Operator
Sky Diving Coach
Sniper Coach
Cliff Hanger Coach
Intelligence
Intel Sergeant
Team Intel Officer
Photographer
Foreign Language

Paskal is strongly influenced by the tactics and organization of British Special Boat Section (SBS). Paskal usually trains with GGK as well as US Navy SEALs, Indonesian Navy's KOPASKA and, of course - SBS.

[edit] Weaponry and equipment

Weapon selection and use is a confidential issue. Nevertheless, with rumors of financing from a consortium of 30+ oil companies with offshore assets in Malaysian waters, Paskal's inventory includes some of the most advanced and sophisticated equipment in the Armed Forces. Today, PASKAL is equipped with modern weaponry and gadgets, such as night vision, subskimmer (DPV), laser-guided assault rifle. There's the wide array the weapons of PASKAL.

Sidearms: Browning HP, Glock 17, Sig Sauer P226.
Shotguns: Franchi SPAS-12, Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Remington 1100.
Submachineguns: FN P90, HK MP5(many diff. variants).
Assault Rifles/Carbines: AK 102, Colt M4A2, Colt M16A1 Model 653, Steyr AUG.
Sniper Rifles: Accuracy International AWM, Barrett M82, HK G3 SG-1, HK MSG-90, HK PSG-1.
Machineguns: FN Minimi.

PASKAL is widely considered to be the best trained, equipped and supported unit in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

[edit] Famous Paskal Members

Lieutenant Commander Ahmad Ramli bin Kardi
Lieutenant Commander Anuar bin Alias
Lieutenant Commander Che Adnan bin Mat Isa
Warrant Officer Mohd Room bin Bahari
Private Hairi Mat Balong

[edit] Missions/Highlights/Top story

One of Paskal's roles is to launch offensive operations independently via sea, land and air in enemy controlled waters. Paskal were trained to conduct maritime operations such as anti-pirating, anti-ship / oil rigs hijacking.The security of 30+ oil rigs in Malaysian waters are under the control and responsibility of Paskal. Until now, Paskal had been able to conduct training in almost all of those oil rigs.

The Paskal's missions also consist of beachhead / deep penetrations reconnaissance, demolition and sabotage, but their skills and activity extend beyond that. Paskal can be deploy in securing landing sites for Army's amphibious attacks, attacking top priority ships in enemy harbors, special ship boarding operations, Counter-Terrorist missions (CT), countermine operations and join-operation with other Army Task Force such as entering hi-peak from a free fall sky-diving.

Paskal's personnel were also located in man-made offshore stations particularly in Layang-Layang atoll as well as in several RMN's ships. Like other Special Forces units, Paskal requires special type of weapons and equipments such as sub machineguns and ammunition that is specifically designed for underwater combat. Another equipment that has been used by Paskal is a sub skimmer which is one of the UDV - Underwater Delivery Vehicle, a high-speed inflatable / collapsible craft that can be converted into to a small 'submarine'. Its crew usually use close-circuit breathing apparatus while remaining in underwater. Subskimmer is the best way to move around without being detected. Besides above, PASKAL also been given specific mission that requires their expertise in the interest of national security.

[edit] Special Highlights on PASKAL

PASKAL Special Force was on air by TV3's Majalah 3 on 30 August 2003 inconjuction with Merdeka Day. The 1 hour popular series also featured Gerak Khas (Armed Forces) and PASKAU (Air Force Special Unit).

> 1 Oct 2002 opening of RMN's RM5 million Special Forces (Pascal) headquarters.

> 26 August 1991, National Security Council declared NAVY PASKAL is the main task force team to neutralize terrorist attempt against oil rigs and oil tanker/ship and to act as one of the element in Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat (PAC) or "Immediate Response Team" which is a military operations team at sea and land.

> Leftenan Komander (Kehormat), Ahmad Ramli Kardi - PASKAL senior personnel is one of the free-fall diving team for Malaysian North Pole free fall diving in 1998.

Leftenan Komander Anuar, a PASKAL hero at UN mission in Angola (UNIVEM II) 1998 received "Pingat Gagah Berani"

[edit] Top story (PASKAL)

> "From there, a strategy was drawn up to send rescuers made up of naval commandos, Paskal, who later succeeded in recapturing Padanan Island and rescuing the hostages....."

> SEMPORNA Pandanan Island, near here, where three Malaysians were abducted by an armed group last month, today became a major training ground for the Malaysian Armed Forces

> "Navy's special forces PASKAL, will step up security at LIMA" - Datuk Seri Najib (Defence Minister)

> PASKAL basic course closing ceremony

> Navy commandos serve warning on pirates in Malacca Straits

> RMN launches ops to prevent Acehnese from entering Malaysia

> Navy Counters Attack By Merchant Ship Pirates

> Lt Komander Anuar, a PASKAL hero at UN mission in Angola (UNIVEM II) 1998

> Commandant admits clashes with pirates in Sabah waters

> Moro freedom fighters among 2,000 foreigners nabbed in Sabah waters

> Paskal is only for highly motivated personnel with high endurance ability

> PASKAL deployed to Sabah for safe-guarding water coast.

> PASKAL unit elit (in Malay version)

> PASKAL assisted to verify the TAG Heuer 2000 watch series won't crack under pressure.