Special forces of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
Military unit
The RMAF Special Forces (, Jawi: ڤاسوكن خاص تنترا اودارا), better known as PASKAU from abbreviation of its Malay name, is the special forces of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF; ). 
Its main functions are to carry out high-value target protection, ground forward air controller, combat search and rescue and rescuing downed aircrew assignments. RMAF Special Forces is also tasked as the principal anti-hijack response force for military and civil aircraft in Malaysia. This task was taken over from 21st Special Service Group. All RMAF Special Forces members are airborne and commando-trained and can be deployed behind enemy lines via air, land and sea to assist in target designation for the Malaysian Armed Forces and RMAF missions.
RMAF Special Forces is one of the two combat units comprising the RMAF Regiment ().
History.
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.
Origin: RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force (HANDAU).
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).
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.
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.
RMAF Security Regiment.
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 () was established as the command headquarters for HANDAU squadrons. From the regiment's establishment until 1 March 1987, ten additional HANDAU squadrons were established.
RMAF Regiment.
Since its establishment in 1980, MAREJ has reported directly to the Air Force Command () 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 (, 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; ) and the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF; ).
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.
PKU and PASKAU.
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.
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').
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 (later promoted to Chief of Defence Force in 2009), presented the Blue Beret of RMAF Special Forces to Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Structures.
1980–2023.
1980–1993
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1993–2002
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2002–2020
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2020–2021
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Current structures.
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:
Deactivated squadron.
Combat Wing Squadron.
The Combat Wing Squadron (CWS; ) 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.
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.
National special operations force.
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.
Selection, training and expertise.
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 (), replacing the previous requirement for RMAF Regiment airmen to complete the Malaysian Army Basic Commando Course at the Special Warfare Training Centre.
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.
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.
RMAF Commando Course.
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.
RMAF Special Forces Expert Course.
RMAF Special Forces operatives are capable of conducting operations using:
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. Teak Mint 09-1 is a joint training exchange designed to enhance United States – Malaysian military training and capabilities.
Role.
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.
Identities.
Sky Blue Beret.
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.
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.
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.
Light Blue Lanyard.
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.
Commando Dagger.
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.
"PASKAU" Shoulder Tab.
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).
Tiger-stripes Green Combat Uniform.
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