RMAF Special Forces


The RMAF Special Forces, better known as PASKAU from an abbreviation of its Malay name, is the special forces of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
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, 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. 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.
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, 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.
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.

Expansion and the RMAF Security Regiment

On 1 April 1980, the 102nd HANDAU Squadron formally assumed base security duties at RMAF Kuala Lumpur from the Military Police. To oversee the new squadrons, the RMAF Security Regiment was established as the command headquarters. Between 1980 and 1 March 1987, ten additional HANDAU squadrons were raised.
NameGarrison
102nd HANDAU SquadronRMAF Kuala Lumpur1980-04-01
103rd HANDAU SquadronRMAF Kuantan Air Base1980-11-18
104th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Butterworth Air Base1981-01-10
202nd HANDAU SquadronRMAF Ipoh Air Base1981-02-09
105th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Kuching Air Base1981-04-07
107th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Alor Setar Air Base1981-07-07
109th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Aircraft Overhaul Depot, Subang1981-08-06
204th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Kluang Air Base1981-08-19
201st HANDAU SquadronJugra Air Base1987-08-27
208th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Subang Air Base1987-09-01
106th HANDAU SquadronRMAF Labuan Air Base1987-03-01
Combat Air Rescue TeamRMAF Kuala Lumpur1983
Rapid Deployment ForceRMAF Kuala Lumpur1983

Transition to the RMAF Regiment

Since its establishment in 1980, the RMAF Security Regiment reported directly to the Air Force Command for all operations involving HANDAU squadrons. Following a major reorganisation of the RMAF in June 1983, the RMAF Security Regiment was transferred to the RMAF Air Operations High Command and was subsequently renamed the RMAF Regiment.
As part of the same reorganisation, two special operations elements were established within the regiment: the Combat Air Rescue Team and the Rapid Deployment Force . CART included a small number of Gerak Khas commandos seconded from the Malaysian Army, while the RDF was composed of HANDAU personnel trained in commando skills and stationed at major RMAF bases. The RDF functioned as an air assault unit, capable of reinforcing armed forces units or jungle police paramilitary elements in need of support, while CART specialised in combat search and rescue missions. Both formations are widely regarded as the precursors of the modern RMAF Special Forces.
In 1993, the HANDAU squadrons were redesignated as the RMAF Provost Squadrons. Their role was expanded to include military police duties alongside their primary responsibility for air base security.

Merger and formation of PKU, later redesignated as PASKAU

In 1996, the Combat Air Rescue Team and the Rapid Deployment Force were merged to form a new unit, the Pasukan Khas Udara , also referred to as the "RMAF Special Air Service". The PKU was expanded, and its remit broadened to include counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, and search and rescue operations. For these new roles, its personnel received training from the British Special Air Service and the United States Special Operations Forces.
On 17 March 1999, the PKU was relocated from RMAF Kuala Lumpur to Jugra Air Base. At the same time, the RMAF Provost Squadrons were separated from the RMAF Regiment and transferred to the newly established RMAF Provost Marshal Department, which assumed responsibility for air force law enforcement.
On 1 April 2002, exactly 22 years after the establishment of HANDAU, the PKU was officially redesignated as the Pasukan Khas TUDM, or "RMAF Special Forces".
On 24 January 2008, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the RMAF Regiment and simultaneously became patron of the RMAF Special Forces. The investiture ceremony was held at Jugra Air Base, Selangor, where the Chief of Air Force, General Azizan Ariffin , presented the blue beret of the RMAF Special Forces to Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Structures

1980–2023

1980–1993
RMAF Security Regiment
  • *Air and Ground Defence Force
  • **HANDAU squadrons
  • **Combat Air Rescue Team
  • **Rapid Deployment Force
1993–2002
RMAF Regiment
  • *RMAF Provost
  • *RMAF Special Air Service
  • **Combat Air Rescue Team
  • **Rapid Deployment Force
2002–2020
RMAF Regiment
2020–2021
RMAF Regiment
  • *RMAF Special Forces
  • **Combat Wing Squadron
  • ***Flight Hostage Rescue Team
  • ***Ground Forward Air Controller
  • **Combat Air Rescue Squadron
  • ***Maritime Pararescue Team
  • **Field Protection Squadron
  • *RMAF Ground Defence Force

    Current structures

Today, the RMAF Regiment operates directly under the RMAF Air Operations Command and is based at Jugra Air Base in Banting. Here are the five main squadrons of RMAF Special Forces:
SquadronResponsibilityRoles
Special Air Combat Assault SquadronPathfinders and forward air controllersThe Special Air Combat Assault Squadron provides the RMAF and Malaysian Armed Forces with pathfinders and forward air controllers. This unit, also known as RMAF FAC, can be deployed behind enemy lines via helicopter or parachute. They use AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM Ground Laser Target Designation teams for forward target acquisition and tracking for attacking aircraft. Each mission involves six personnel with various specialisations, including cross-trained signallers, medics, weapons specialists, demolition experts, snipers, and boatmen. This squadron was officially created in 2021.
Despite being a newly established squadron, it has a long track record as the Ground Forward Air Controller, which was previously part of the Combat Wing Squadron. The Combat Wing Squadron was officially disbanded in 2021.
This squadron functions similarly to both U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team and U.S. Air Force Special Operations Force Tactical Air Control Party within the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Combat Air Rescue SquadronLand-based combat search and rescueThe Combat Air Rescue Squadron is capable of conducting combat search and rescue operations behind enemy lines. It consists of six flights operating from air bases with Rescue Sub-Centres located at Subang Air Base, Kuantan Air Base, Butterworth Air Base, Gong Kedak Air Base, Kuching Air Base, and Labuan Air Base.
CARS is equivalent to the U.S. Air Force Pararescue in terms of its capabilities and functions.
Force Protection SquadronSpecial protections, security force and counter-terrorismThe Force Protection Squadron is responsible for securing high-value military assets such as hangars, air defence radars, and fire support bases. Their duties include protecting infrastructure and conducting close or special escort operations. For area protection, the squadron uses the Field Intrusion Detection System. Prior to 2021, this unit was known as the Field Protection Squadron.
As part of the RMAF Regiment's restructuring under the Capability Development 55 plan in 2021, and with the reactivation of the RMAF Ground Defence Force in 2020, the responsibility for securing air force bases was shared between RMAF HANDAU's squadrons and the FPS. While the FPS continues its security role, its focus has shifted to more sensitive areas and bases behind enemy lines. Additionally, the Hostage Rescue Team, the RMAF Special Forces' counter-terrorist unit, which was previously under the Combat Wing Squadron, was transferred to the FPS.
The FPS is equivalent to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron and U.S. Air Force DAGRE in terms of its capabilities and functions.
Maritime Para Rescue SquadronMaritime-based combat search and rescueThe Maritime Para Rescue Squadron is a combat search and rescue squadron specialising in search and rescue operations at sea. They operate from air bases near the ocean. Before 2021, they were known as the Maritime Pararescue Team and were part of the Combat Air Rescue Squadron. Following the reorganisation, the Combat Air Rescue Squadron now focuses on combat search and rescue operations on land and in the jungle.
Special Operations Support SquadronCombat supportThe Special Operations Support Squadron provides all RMAF Special Forces squadrons with combat support.