KOPASKA


The Kopaska is the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy. The unit's motto is . The unit's main duties are underwater demolition, destroying main underwater installations, reconnaissance, prisoner snatches, preparing beaches for larger naval amphibious operations, and counter-terrorism. During peacetime, the unit also deploys a team to serve as security personnel for VIPs and VVIPs.
The personnel of Kopaska are recruited from Indonesian Navy seamen. Like other Indonesian special forces, Kopaska is trained to be able to conduct operations in the sea, including underwater, on land and airborne.

History

Kopaska was heavily influenced by the early US Navy Frogman Underwater Demolition Teams and modern Navy SEAL Teams.
Kopaska was officially established on 31 March 1962 by President Sukarno to help his campaign Operation Trikora in Western New Guinea. However, in 1954, Captain Iskak had an idea to form a frogman unit in the Navy which eventually act as precursor to Kopaska.
Early Kopaska members Captain Urip Santoso, Lieutenant Joko Suyatno, and PO1C EMP Joseph trained with the UDTs in the United States. The tradition of overseas training has continued with a few men from the unit travelling each year to Coronado, California, and Norfolk, Virginia, to participate in SEAL training. Returning to Indonesia, these men then recruit new personnel for Kopaska.
Recruitment was difficult in the early years of Kopaska as only a few navy members could pass the qualification process. Recruitment became even more difficult when President Sukarno announced in 1961 the commencement of Operation Trikora in Western New Guinea, as Kopaska were required to conduct beach reconnaissance, beach clearing, prisoner snatches, and human torpedo missions. The latter two missions were the most daring planned by Kopaska – the first planned to snatch Rear Admiral Reeser, Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces in the Territory, and the human torpedo was aimed at Dutch aircraft carrier Karel Doorman. Due to a lack of personnel, Kopaska had to borrow 21 troops from the army special forces, which at that time was still called RPKAD - Army Paracommando Regiment, including Colonel Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, the then-regimental commander, and three from the Greater Jakarta Military Region Command. The plans were cancelled when a ceasefire was implemented between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Of the troops assigned to the Trikora campaign, the three Army personnel from Kodam Jaya attended Seaman School in the Naval Education and Training Command and became regular members of Kopaska. 18 of 21 RPKAD wanted to stay with the Navy, but the Commander of RPKAD did not approve the transfers. Instead, he accommodated the ex-KOPASKA members by creating a new special unit in Kopassus SAT GULTOR 81-2 Batt.
Until the present, Kopaska trained their specialities to other Indonesian Special Forces units:
  1. Army Kopassus counter-terrorist combat divers, now known as Paska GULTOR.
  2. Army Strategic Command Reconnaissance Platoon and counter-terrorist team, the Tontaipur.
  3. Air Force Satuan Bravo 90 counter-terrorist team.
Both SAT-81 GULTOR and DENBRAVO-90 continues to send its best members for three months of training in Frogmen School at the Special Training Centre, Naval Warfare Centre, Naval Education and Training Command located in Naval Base Moro Krembangan in Surabaya, East Java.

Organization

  1. 1st Fleet Frogman Command Unit
  2. #Command HQ
  3. #Detachment 1 Sabotage / Anti-Sabotage
  4. #Detachment 2 of Special Operations
  5. #Detachment 3 Combat SAR
  6. #Detachment 4 EOD and Naval Minesweeping
  7. #Detachment 5 Underwater Demolition
  8. #Detachment 6 Special Boat Units
  9. 2nd Fleet Frogman Command Unit
  10. # Command HQ
  11. #Detachment 1 Sabotage / Anti-Sabotage
  12. #Detachment 2 of Special Operations
  13. #Detachment 3 Combat SAR
  14. #Detachment 4 EOD and Naval Minesweeping
  15. #Detachment 5 Underwater Demolition
  16. #Detachment 6 Special Boat Units
  17. 3rd Fleet Frogman Command Unit
  18. # Command HQ
  19. #Detachment 1 Sabotage / Anti Sabotage
  20. #Detachment 2 of special Operations
  21. #Detachment 3 Combat SAR
  22. #Detachment 4 EOD and Naval Minesweeping
  23. #Detachment 5 Underwater Demolition
  24. #Detachment 6 Special Boat Units

    Recruitment

The recruitment process for becoming a Kopaska frogmen is similar to that of the US Navy SEALs. The criteria are:
  • An Indonesian Navy personnel
  • Has served minimum 2 years in a Navy warship/Navy base/Navy fleet command/Navy Headquarters/Military Sealift command
  • Passed Physical fitness qualification
  • Passed water endurance
  • Passed special psychological test
  • Passed special underwater fitness
The initial recruitment process takes place annually at all Indonesian naval bases, so location is not a concern. Candidates who fulfill the initial criteria are then brought to the Kopaska Training Center to participate in the selection process. Of the 300-1500 candidates, only 36 to 20 actually complete the initial selection process. Those who pass the initial selection then receive advanced training at the Kopaska training center. Those who pass the advanced training then graduate to become a member of the Kopaska Unit. Only 0-20 personnel per year graduate to become a full member of Kopaska.

Training and Education

The training process lasts ten months, divided into four continual training phases: physical endurance/physical training, basic underwater training, commando training, and parachute training. The training lasts with a phase called the "Hell Week" where Kopaska trainees are beasted and are forced to undergo brutal special forces training until exceeding average human resilience. This applies to all ranks applying to join the Kopaska unit.
Each phase of training consists of a similar process. For example, the first phase of training is physical or endurance training. Each candidate receives a daily physical training program, such as: running, marching, push-ups, sit ups, pull-ups, swimming, etc. The training programs are unscheduled, so the instructor can order physical training at random. The last week of this training each candidate must be able to demonstrate strength through trials such as cross-Strait swimming and rowing to Laki Island at night with little food or sleep. This training usually exploits the candidate's physical and psychological strength.
The remaining training phases include combat swimming, infiltration through submarine torpedo tube, long range combat patrol, close quarter battle, infiltration using CRRC or RIB, intelligence course, parachute training, pathfinder, trap making and survival techniques.

Education

  • General navy academic courses, such as: Sea Operations, Navigation, Machinery, Electronics, Ships construction, Communication, etc.
  • Kopaska indoctrination
  • Commando education
  • Airborne
  • Clandestine
  • Underwater demolition
  • Combat search and rescue

    Joint Exercise

Kopaska has conducted several joint exercises with other elite naval forces from other countries.
Since most of Kopaska duties are in salty and tropical environments, most of Kopaska's weapons and equipment reflect these conditions.
The type of equipment and weapons used by Kopaska are common in Indonesia and world special force societies, including:
Kopaska use commercial scuba diver equipment. All personnel are also equipped with lightweight PRO-TEC helmets, Level III MICH helmets, and some of them wearing Airframe Helmets and by Crye Precision and FAST Helmets by OpsCore. They use close circuit, semi close circuit and open circuit aqualung equipment, a scooter or sub-skimmer craft for underwater mobility, and an Avon Sea Raider Rigid Inflatable Boat or Hull. They also have X38 Combat Boat and Sea Shadow.

Role and notable missions

Currently, the unit has approximately 300 personnel, divided into two groups. One group is attached to the western fleet, based in Jakarta and the other group is attached to the eastern fleet, based in Surabaya, East Java. When called for, they conduct limited support search and rescue missions. They have also been deployed overseas as part of United Nations peacekeeping missions.