Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL

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Pasukan Khas Laut
The PASKAL elite logo.
Active	1975 - Present
Country	Malaysia
Branch	Royal Malaysian Navy
Type	Naval Special Forces / Malaysian Special Operations Force
Role	Maritime and Riverine special operations
Size	Two squadrons
Part of	Malaysian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	RMN Naval Base, Lumut, Perak, RMN KD Semporna Naval Base, Semporna, Sabah
Nickname	PASKAL
Motto	Always The Best
Colors	Purple Coloured (beret)
Engagements	Spratleys Island UNIVEM II 1998, Angola MALCON - UNIFIL 2007, Lebanon
Commanders
Colonel of the Regiment	1st Admiral Nasaruddin bin Othman
Insignia
PASKAL Trimedia Badge

For other possible meanings, see Pascal.

PASKAL, abbreviation for Pasukan Khas Laut (Naval Special Forces) are the elite special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy, conduct in unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, direct action, counter-terrorism, close protections, specific enemy assassination, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance operations. The No. 1 on the Malaysian Most Top Special Forces went operational on October 1st 1980 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 Organisation
3 Purposes
4 Roles
5 Training
- 5.1 Expertise/Specialist Course
6 Weaponry and equipment
7 PASKAL Emblems and Badges
8 List of PASKAL Commanders
9 Famous PASKAL Members
10 Highlights/Top story
- 10.1 PASKAL in the media
- 10.2 Top story (PASKAL)
11 Recent Operations
12 See also
- 12.1 Similar Navy Special Forces Units Outside Malaysia
13 References
14 External links

[edit] History

The history of PASKAL began in 1975, when the Royal Malaysian Navy saw a need for a security regiment trained in modern maritime warfare. Its main purpose is to protect naval bases and national assets all over Malaysia. At that time, the RMN main base was still at KD Malaya (Kapal Diraja Malaya, His Majesty's Ship Malaya), Woodlands, Singapore before transferred to naval base in Lumut, Perak. The first batch of 30 officers led by Captain Sutarji bin Kasmin (now Admiral, retired) were sent to the Special Warfare Training Center (Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas) located at Kem Sg Udang, Melaka, trained by Grup Gerak Khas army commandos. They were also initially trained by instructors from Indonesian Navy KOPASKA, UK Royal Marines Commandos and US Navy SEALs.

In the year 1979, one of the 69 RMN personnel failed to complete the course due to broken leg sustained during training in Basic Jungle Commando Course in Indonesia. A few men, including RMN officer, Lieutenant Commander Ahmad Ramli Kardi traveled to Colorado, California and Norfolk, Virginia to be trained by US Navy SEAL.

[edit] Organisation

The manpower of the unit is secret, is estimated however in circles of experts to be about 1,000 men, who subdivide himself into two single associations. That PASKAL Unit 1 (PASKAL-First Unit) is on the Lumut Naval base stationed, that PASKAL Unit 2 (PASKAL-2nd Unit) in KD Sri Semporna, in Semporna, Sabah. A company (detatchment) is introduced in the Teluk Sepanggar naval base.

That PASKAL organizes consisted into several squadron (here, how in the US military forces, Batallions), that itself respectively of at least three company (Platoons). The company consists named of three trains (here, like in that Green Berets detachments) with respectively 14 men. The smallest organization unit is the so named Boat Troop with 7 command soldiers.

Basically each squadron (each battalion) controls all special capacities, that is, that each controls experts in terrorism fight, lower water destruction and maritime sniper being.

In addition an own message service component is the unit for clarification, Counter-espionage and telecommunication imputes, the so named Combat Intelligence team (Bahasa Malaysia: Tim Risik Gempur, or Battle-message service-group) (TRG).

[edit] Purposes

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

[edit] Roles

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.^[1] 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] Training

PASKAL recruits during the ended basic course parade.

As a Special Forces unit, PASKAL's personnel must be mentally and physically agile. Every new trainee is required to undergo 3 months of basic commando training at the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Lumut Naval Base. The criteria to joinned the naval special force, all personnel must be younger than 30 years old and has a good health record.

Upon completing the course, they will be sent to the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC) in Sungai Udang, Melaka to undergo basic parachuting.

Those who pass the gruelling training process will continue on to the Advanced First Class training where they are given specialised courses in several fields such as medic, communications, explosives and electrical / mechanical repairing. They are also required to pass a physical test every three months.

Among others, the test consists of:

7.8km running in 24 minutes (below 24 years of age)
1.5km swimming in not more than 25 minutes (in a swimming pool)
6.4km swimming in open sea with full mission load - in under 120 minutes
Day/Night sky diving at high elevation spots ie. hills, building and on ocean surface.
Free style swimming for 1.5km under 31 minutes
Surviving in water with hands and feet fully tied-up (drown-proofing)
Diving without breathing apparatus for a minimum of 7m in depth

Basic Recruitment Course

Pre-Selection/Warm-Up
Basic PASKAL commando
Diving endurance
Basic Sky-Diving

Carrier Development Course

First Class enrollment
Underwater Combat Maneuver
"Laskar Kanan" enrollment
"Bintara Muda" enrollment
Diving/Underwater Combat Superior

PASKAL routinely sends officers and men to train 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 Malaysia's main counter-terrorist task force for the defence of oil rigs and oil tanker/ships and to act as one of the elements in the Quick Reactions Force (QRF), or the Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat (PAC).

[edit] Expertise/Specialist Course

Two PASKAL operators armed with Brügger & Thomet MP5 submachinegun and Glock 17 during the CQC basic training at Killing House in Royal Malaysian Naval Base, Lumut, Perak.

Domestic

Insertion Techniques

Basic HALO/HAHO
Freefall Instructor
Fast-roping Techniques
Abseiling and Air Rescue Operations
Tactical Cliff Climbing
Tactical Cliff Climbing Instructor

Combat Technique

Combat Tracking
Pathfinding & Jungle Survival
Unarmed Combat (Tae Kwon Do - based)
Close Quarter Combat Tactical
Sniper
Sniper Instructor
Unconventional Warfare
Section Leader
Platoon Sergeant
Company Commander

Intelligence Gathering

Intelligence
Intel Sergeant
Team Intel Officer
Photographer
C4-I Systems Implementations
Long Range Recon Patrol

PASKAL sniping operator takes aim the Accuracy International PM.

Task Oriented

Combat, Search and Rescue (CSAR)
Operation In Built-up Area - OBUA
Combat Medic Specialist
Diving Supervisor
Small Vehicle Operator
Small Surface Craft Operator
Survival Night/Mission Test
Combat Tracking
Foreign Language
Combat Medic Specialist
Explosive Ordnance Disposal

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

[edit] Weaponry and equipment

PASKAL's weapon selection and use is a confidential subject. Nevertheless, amid rumors of financing from a consortium of 30+ oil companies with offshore assets in Malaysian waters, PASKAL's inventory currently includes some of the most very advanced and sophisticated equipment in the Armed Forces. These high quality weaponry and gadgets include items such as night vision devices, subskimmer (DPV), laser-guided assault rifles, and many more.

The weapon technical equipment of the unit is subject become the secrecy, nevertheless of its weapons of used that in national police holidays publicly issued. Moreover rumors, that a consortium of oil firms active more than thirty in the Malaysian maritime area provides, by generous contributions at the navy, hold themselves that the budget of that PASKAL controls always sufficient means to procure around the most modern and most progressive weapons, that are on that the world market available. In addition for example Night vision device, Warmth picture cameras, field of combat supervision radar, sniper weapons belong of Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum and Heckler & Koch MSG-90, machine pistols of the Brügger & Thomet MP5A5 type in all variants, shotgun of Mossberg 500 and assault rifles including AK-102, Bushmaster M4A2 and Colt M16A1. Shortly said gets, the unit all weapons that it needs for its order fulfillment. The full list of equipment is classified, although during national Police Days, certain equipments can be on display.

[edit] PASKAL Emblems and Badges

Purple Coloured Beret: The purple beret reflects PASKAL's close relationship with the Indonesian Marine Corp.

Camouflage: The PASKAL camouflage uniform is identical to that worn by US Navy SEALs. It also reflects the close relations with this US Special Forces unit from which PASKAL also receives training.

Trimedia

The "Trimedia" is PASKAL's main emblem which is worn by every PASKAL trooper. Meaning :

1. Wing Emblem - the traditional symbol for para capability

2. Jet Fin & Face Mask Emblem - symbolises seaborne infiltration capability

3. Combat Dagger - symbolises jungle-warfare capability

4. Anchor - the symbol for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

[edit] List of PASKAL Commanders

**List of PASKAL Commander**
Name	Year	Remark
Admiral Dr. Haji Sutarji bin Kasmin	1975-2003	PASKAL Commander from 1975 and retired in 2003
First Admiral Nasaruddin bin Othman	2003-Now

[edit] Famous PASKAL Members

Admiral Dr. Haji Sutarji Kasmin (retired)
First Admiral Nasaruddin Othman
Captain Jamaludin Mohd Saman RMN
Commander Abd Malek Hj Mohd Daud RMN
Commander Ahmad Ramli Kardi
Commander Anuar Alias
Commander George Paul Thomas Rozario
Commander Jason Paskal
Lieutenant Commander Che Adnan Mat Isa
Master Chief Petty Officer Mohd Room Bahari
Private Hairi Mat Balong
PASKAL Senior Private Sukeri Abdullah (1994 - 1997)

[edit] Highlights/Top story

[edit] PASKAL in the media

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

1 Oct 2002 - Opening of RMN's RM5 million PASKAL headquarters.

26 Aug 1991 - National Security Council declared PASKAL as the main task force to neutralize terrorist attacks against oil rigs and oil tankers/ships and to act as one of the elements in Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat (PAC) or "Rapid Response Team", which joint services combat unit.^[2]

Lieutenant Commander (Kehormat), Ahmad Ramli Kardi - PASKAL senior personnel is a member of the free-fall skydiving team for the Malaysian North Pole free-fall skydiving expedition in 1998. ^[3]

Lieutenant Commander Anuar, a PASKAL operator involved in the UN mission in Angola (UNIVEM II) 1998 received the "Pingat Gagah Berani"^[4]

[edit] Top story (PASKAL)

PASKAL troopers during a jungle warfare trainning.

"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