Paskhas


The Specialized Forces Corps is the air force infantry and special forces corps of the Indonesian Air Force. The corps is also known as the Orange Berets from the colour of their service headgear. Paskhas is trained to seize and defend airfields from enemy forces known as Operasi Pembentukan dan Pengoperasian Pangkalan Udara Depan , airborne operations, and other specific military operations within the scope of the Indonesian Air Force.
Paskhas is tasked with carrying out the objectives and defense of the strategic objects of the Air Force, air defense, special operations and other typical military operations under the policy of the TNI chief Commander. Paskhas has air-oriented combat abilities, such as combat-control team, airfield control and defense, combat search and rescue, jumpmaster, airborne, ground-forward air control and high-altitude military parachuting. They also can operate as Air Traffic Controllers in certain situations.
Paskhas has a special unit tasked for conducting special operations such as responding to aircraft hijackings and other specific missions tasked to the corps, the unit is known as the Bravo Detachment 90.

History

The history of Paskhas is almost as old as the Republic of Indonesia itself. On 12 February 1946 the first parachute jump of the nascent Indonesian National Armed Forces was performed at the Maguwo Air Force Base in Yogyakarta by three people who jumped in the presence of the Commander of the Armed Forces Sudirman and the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Commodore Suryadi Suryadarma: Amir Hamzah, Iswahyudi and Pungut, all three jumped from a converted Japanese transport aircraft. On 8 March 1947, with President Sukarno, Vice President Mohammad Hatta and defense officials in attendance, the first free fall jump was executed by Flight Lieutenants Sudyono and Soekotjo at the same airfield. These jumps by personnel of the then Pasukan Pertahanan Pangkalan would become the precursor for their baptism of fire. The PPP, raised in October 1945, months before the formal founding of the Air Force on 9 April 1946, was an active part in the defense of Republic-held air force bases.

First airborne operations

The then republican Governor of Kalimantan Ir. Prince Muhammad Noor made a request to the Indonesian Air Force to send paratroopers to Kalimantan for the task of forming and organizing pro-Republic guerrilla organizations to assist in the revolution in Borneo, opening a parent radio station to allow connections between Yogyakarta and Borneo rebels and selecting more dropping zones for future operations. At the initiative of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 12 indigenous sons of Kalimantan and two regular Air Force personnel were chosen. On 17 October 1947, thirteen airmen were successfully deployed in Sambi, West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan. They were Hari Hadi Sumantri, FM Soejoto, Iskandar, Ahmad Kosasih, Bachri, J. Bitak, C. Williem, Imanuel, Amirudin, Ali Akbar, M Dahlan, JH. Darius, and Marawi.
They were deployed from the C-47 Dakota RI-002 aircraft flown by an American named Bob Freeberg as well as the owner of the aircraft, co-pilot Warrant Officer Suhodo, and the Jumpmaster, Pilot Officer Amir Hamzah. Acting as the pointer to the parapet was Major Tjilik Riwut who was a native son of Borneo. This was the first airborne operation in Indonesian history.
The pioneer airborne operation carried out by the thirteen Indonesian Air Force personnel on 17 October 1947 was later designated as the anniversary of the Komando Pasukan Gerak Cepat, later known as "Kopasgat", and today known as the Paskhas. This makes this organization the oldest active special forces unit in Indonesia and within all of Southeast Asia, and the first airborne and air force infantry unit to be founded in the region.

Air Base Defense Troops (ABDT)

By 1950 the Jakarta-based PPP was still known as the title of "Air Base Defense Troops ", but now had paratrooper squadrons within its ranks. Troops were divided into eight companies/squadrons and led by Captain RHA Wiriadinata with his deputy 1st Lieutenant R Soeprantijo. Then in the mid-1950s, the Inspectorate of Air Base Defense Forces was based in Sabang, Jakarta, which in April 1952 was transferred to Cililitan Air Base, East Jakarta. An additional service, the PSU was later added to provide an air defense capability. The Parachute School was also opened to train future Air Force paratroppers at the Andir Air Force Base in Bandung, West Java, as a continuation of the Para School embryo in Maguwo. Its alumni, both officers and airmen, later formed the basis for the Kompi-kompi Pasukan Gerak Tjepat-PGT which were formed in February 1952, with Captain Wiriadinata as the commanding officer and concurrently as Commander of Andir Air Force Base in Bandung. By 1958 these consisted of 11 Independent Airborne Companies, 8 Air Base Defense companies and 1 Air Defense Artillery Battery.

PGT Combat Team Regiment (RTP-PGT)

Subsequently, in the 1960s, PGT was also assigned to the operation of West Irian liberation under the command of the Air Force commander, which at that time the PGT Battle Team Regiment was based in Bandung with Captain Sugiri Sukani as commander. Air Commodore RHA Wiriadinata was the first PGT commander which brought much progress to paratroopers in Indonesia, especially in the Air Force. The concept of PGT since its inception was focused on the ability of Commando and Para combined.

Air Force Bases Defense Command (KOPPAU)

On 15 October 1962, based on the a decree of the CSAF, the Air Force Bases Defense Command was established. KOPPAU consist of the Command HQ in Bandung, PPP Regiment in Jakarta and PGT Regiment in Bandung. The PPP Regiment was composed of the regimental headquarters and 5 Base Defense Battalions based in Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Makassar, Biak and Palembang. The PGT regiment consisted of 3 Battalions,: the 1st Battalion PGT based in Bogor, 2nd Battalion PGT in Jakarta and 3rd Battalion PGT in Bandung, together with the regimental headquarters. The battalions were subdivided into the battalion HQ company and 3–5 parachute infantry companies, base defense companies or air defense artillery batteries, depending on specialty, the 1st battalion, which was assigned as public duties battalion, was assigned six guard of honour companies and the battalion HQ company.
It was during that period that the Air Force, through the KOPPAU and the Indonesian National Air Defense Forces Command, acquired a surface to air missile defense capability, a first in Southeast Asia, via the S-75 Dvina SAM system, leading to the formation of the 100th Medium/Long Distance Missile Regiment/Wing.

Kopasgat

KOPPAU was, as a result of recommendations given during a Ministry of Defense conference in Bandung dated 11–16 April 1966, then transformed to KOPASGAT with the strength of 3 Regiments each based in Bandung, Jakarta, and Surabaya, under its new commander Air Commodore Saleh Basarah. Each of the regiments were organized into a HQ unit and 3–5 groups/battalions, each divided into 3–6 companies/squadrons/batteries. Furthermore, based on the Air Force chief of Staff Decision No. 57 on 1 July 1970, the term "Regiment" was changed into "Wing" for distinguishing their unit names from the Indonesian Army. Kopasgat was then famous for its Leopard camouflage pattern uniform which was worn during Operation Seroja, led by then commander Air Commodore R. Suprantijo, and its orange berets, a singularity within the National Armed Forces.

Puspaskhasau

Puspaskhasau later replaced the name Kopasgat. It was based on the dynamics of organizational improvement and consolidation of TNI units, then based on Air Force Chief of staff Decision No. Kep / 22 / III / 1985 dated 11 March 1985. Air Commodore LE Siagian was the first commander of the rebadged unit.

Korpaskhasau

Along with the improvements of the TNI and Air Force organization, on 17 July 1997 according to the Decree no. SKEP / 09 / VII / 1997 of the Commander of the National Armed Forces the status of Paskhas was elevated from Central Executive Agency status to that of a Principal Combatant Command and was therefore renamed as the Korps Pasukah Khas Angkatan Udara/ KORPASKHASAU" which is simply called as Korps Paskhas or just PASKHAS. It was in time for the 50th anniversary of the first airborne jumps in Kalimantan. Air Commodore Budhy Santoso was commandant when the changes were made.
In 2011, to reflect the importance of the Paskas to the Air Force, the rank of the commanding general was changed into that of an Air Vice Marshal, the commanding general then being AVM Amarullah who was appointed that year replacing Air Commodore Harry Budiono.

Bravo Detachment 90

The Bravo Detachment 90 or previously named Denbravo 90 is a counter-terrorism unit under the command of the Paskhas commander. The Paskhas Bravo Detachment 90 unit is tasked with carrying out intelligence operations, crippling enemy weaponry and installations in support of air operations, air piracy terror assault, and other operations in accordance with the policy of the TNI chief Commander. This unit is known as the youngest-formed Indonesian special operations unit within the Armed Forces. The concept of formation refers to Giulio Douhet's thought; "It is easier and more effective to destroy the opponent's air forces by destroying its base and its equipment on the ground rather than fighting in the air".
The motto of this Unit is in Sanskrit which is: Catya Wihikan Awacyama Kapala, that literally means: Faithful, Skilled and Successful.

Strength

Recently, Paskhas has had a strength of around 7,300 personnel. The orange beret and Commando dagger have become trademarks of this special force. Previously the concept of Paskhas duty was as air force base defense troops only, but then it was further developed to be combined offensive and defensive troops force as the main Air Force infantry corps that can be deployed for assault and airborne operations.
As a component Principal Command of the Indonesian Air Force, the Paskhas Corps is structured into the following in accordance with the provisions of presidential decree No. 62/ 2016:

Commando Battalions

  1. Special/Elite Troops, which are :
  2. # Bravo Detachment 90
  3. # 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Paskhas Matra Detachments
  4. Air Parachute Commando Division consists of 9 Paskhas Commando Battalions which are under the structure of 3 Brigades. Which are:
  5. # 1st Paskhas Para-Commando Wing Central :
  6. ## 461st Paskhas Commando Battalion
  7. ## 462nd Paskhas Commando Battalion
  8. ## 463rd Paskhas Commando Battalion
  9. # 2nd Paskhas Para-Commando Wing East :
  10. ## 464th Paskhas Commando Battalion
  11. ## 465th Paskhas Commando Battalion
  12. ## 466th Paskhas Commando Battalion
  13. # 3rd Paskhas Para-Commando Wing West :
  14. ## 467 Paskhas Commando Battalion
  15. ## 468 Paskhas Commando Battalion
  16. ## 469 Paskhas Commando Battalion

    Air Defense Artillery Division

  17. 100th Paskhas Medium/Long Distance Missile Regiment/Wing :
  18. # Regiment/Wing HQ
  19. # 101 Missile Launcher Battalion
  20. # 102 Missile Launcher Battalion
  21. # 103 Missile Launcher Battalion
  22. # 104 Missile Launcher Battalion
  23. 400th Paskhas Short Distance Missile Regiment/Wing :
  24. # Regiment/Wing HQ
  25. # 1st Mobile Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 1st Division Central Paskhas, Jakarta
  26. # 2nd Mobile Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 2nd Division Paskhas, Makassar
  27. # 3rd Mobile Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 3rd Division Paskhas, Medan
  28. # 471 Air Defense Detachment, Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta
  29. # 472 Air Defense Detachment, Hasanudin AFB, Makassar
  30. # 473 Air Defense Detachment, Supadio AFB, Pontianak
  31. # 474 Air Defense Detachment, Adisucipto AFB, Yogyakarta
  32. # 475 Air Defense Detachment, Rusminnuryadin AFB, Pekanbaru
  33. # 476 Air Defense Detachment, Suwondo AFB, Medan
  34. # 477 Air Defense Detachment, Iswahyudi AFB, Madiun
  35. # 478 Air Defense Detachment, Manuhua Husein Sastranegara AFB, Bandung
  36. # 479 Air Defense Detachment, Manuhua AFB, Biak

    Air Force Base Defense Regiment

  37. Paskhas A.F.B.D Regt. HQ in Bandung;
  38. # 1st Battalion 1st Paskhas Division Central
  39. # 2nd Battalion 2nd Paskhas Division East
  40. # 3rd Battalion 3rd Paskhas Division West

    Combat Support Regiment

  41. Paskhas C.S.R Headquarters in Bandung;
  42. # Regiment HQ
  43. # Cavalry Armored Personnel Carrier Battalion
  44. # Field Artillery Batt.
  45. # Engineers Batt.

    Admimistration Support Regiment

  46. Paskhas A.S.R Headquarters in Bandung
  47. # Regiment HQ
  48. # Electronics and Communication Batt.
  49. # Medical Batt.
  50. # Transportation and Ordnance Batt.

    Paskhas Divisions

Consists of: 1st Matra Detachment, 1st Combat battalion with 6 companies, 1st base defence battalion with 7 companies, 1st Brigade/Wing with 3 battalions of commandos, and 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment with 1 battalion and 3 detachments.
Consists of: 2nd Matra Detachment, 2nd Combat battalion with 6 companies, 2nd base defense battalion with 7 companies, 2nd Brigade/Wing with 3 battalions of commandos, and 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment with 1 battalion and 3 detachments.
Consists of: 3rd Matra Detachment, 3rd Combat battalion with 6 companies, 3rd base defense battalion with 7 companies, 3rd Brigade/Wing with 3 battalions of commandos, and 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment with 3 detachments.

Air defense

The orange beret corps has been also reinforced with the arrival of 200 surface-to-air QW-3 surface missiles. Manpad QW-3 missiles QW-3 missiles are equipped with semi-active laser guidance trackers, suitable for fighter and other missiles at low altitudes of up to 8 km. It has a weight of 13 kg and a maximum speed of 750 km / hour. This weapon is used to replace Triple gun made by Hispano Suiza in the 1950s and DSHK 12.7 mm. Also a few moments ago Pindad tested the weapon to be rehabilitated to be used as heavy weapons for Paskhas ground forces units.
Paskhas is also working on bringing in a short-range PSU battery of 35 mm caliber Oerlikon Contraves to Air defense composite model point that is integrated between missiles, cannons, radar and tactical command posts. This weapon has been using the most advanced technology and has been used by many European countries. According to the plan, this PSU weapon will be placed in the 10th Main Air Force Base. One of the other major advantages to this 35 mm 35mm Oerlikon PSU is its ability to be mobilized with Hercules aircraft. The Air Force purchased in 2017 a set of 10 batteries of the NASAMS-2 system to suit their requirements for a medium-range missile / JSe substitute for the S-75 / SA-2 Guideline SAM, which was introduced to the service in the 1960s, Going forward with the arrival of the 35mm aerophonic contraves gun, the addition of the number of QW-3 manpad missiles and some good triple gun cannon units. The National Air defense forces command also plan to revive the Medium-Long Missile Wing, to be composed of several artillery groups/battalions of air defense artillery guns and within each Paskhas wing 2 air defense missile artillery groups/battalions, each composed of a HQ unit, a number of AAA gun or missile batteries, a replacement battery and a target acquisition battery.
In the future development of Paskhas, the current PSU weaponry in service or are being commissioned are:
Paskhas is now seeking to replace Pindad SS1 individual weapons to SiG-552 or Pindad SS2. Especially to prepare command battalions such as the 461st commando battalion and 469th commando battalion as assault troops, then in each team in each postal battalion will be equipped with SS2-V1 with Pindad 40mm Grenade Launcher and Squad Automatic Weapon sub-machine guns such as FN Minimi. While in the assistance company will be equipped with SMB DShk-38 which is designed as a weapon for short-range land and air objectives. SMB is commonly used by cavalry and infantry units. In the cavalry unit, DShK has become the standard placed on various turrets of the MBT, even light tanks, APCs and Rantis pick ups. In the infantry units, it is natural that DShK is operated with a two-wheeled special case, similar to a cannon model. Thus the SMB is easily moved, carried or moved with the help of a hook on a military jeep or truck.

Combat qualifications

Paskhas personnel are an integral part of the TNI-AU, having their own specialty. Paskhas personnel have the qualifications and special ability to protect, defend and operate airfield facilities.
The basic qualification for all Paskhas personnel has been "para-commando". Other qualifications are added based on his specialty. As a Combat Control team, they have combat free-fall ability, scuba diving, and combat climber. CCT must be able to infiltrate from three media aspects. Beside that, this team's personnel must have one of the air aspect specialisations, such as: Air Traffic Controller, Meteorology, Electronic-Communication, Combat Field Engineer, Intelligence, Fire Fighter, Ground handling, Petroleum affairs, and Combat-Health affairs. For free-fall qualification, they must be brave enough to jump from high altitude and open the parachute at minimum altitude. The airborne technique that used was HALO or HAHO, with jumps around above sea level.

Specialization

The Paskhas Corps is divided into several Specializations which are:
  1. Training and Education Center, is responsible for carrying out the training of Paskhas abilities through the implementation of Education, Exercise, Research, Testing and Development of Tactics and Procedures to carry out the task of seizing objectives and defense of Air Force Strategic Objects, Air Defense, Special Operations and Typical Air Force Military Operations.
  2. Anti Terror, is responsible for carrying out Intelligence Operations, Airborne Aspects of Terror Countermeasures Operations and other Special Operations in Air Force Military Operations under the policy of the TNI chief Commander.
  3. Branch Detachment, is in charge of carrying out combat control operations, base controls, combat Search and Rescue, and Jumpmaster trainings for Paskhas personnel.
  4. Air Defense Detachment, is part of the Paskhas air defense detachment which is in charge of carrying out air defense operations as part of the national air defense system and other military operations according to the policy of the TNI chief Commander within the Air Force organization.
  5. Para-Commandos, are Infantry Commandos in a Battalion size tasked with carrying out Paskhas main operational combat tasks such as target assault operations and defense operations of the Indonesian Air Force's strategic objects during combat and peace-time situations
  6. Support Brigade, serves as an assistance force for combatants especially Commando troops who are usually deployed to the frontline of battle, either in the form of combat or administrative support. The Paskas is organized into two regiment-sized support formations, the Combat Support Regiment and the Administrative Support Regiment.

    Operations

Operation Trikora

During Operation Trikora, the Paskhas corps then "PGT AURI" in the Trikora operations deployed a total of 532 paratroopers – the largest number of military personnel operationally deployed to West Papua. The number of personnel from TNI, National Police and volunteers taking part amounted to 1,154 personnel with 216 deaths / lost and 296 captured. On 25 April 1962, during the operation of Banteng Ketaton as many as 40 PGT troops under the leadership of Sgt. Maj. J. Picaulima was deployed for the first time in West Irian in Fak-Fak area as well as the 39 PGT troops in Kaimana on 26 April 1962 did well. On 11 May 1962, PGT troops under the leadership of 1st Lieutenant Manuhua conducted a jump in Sorong during Operation Serigala.
One of the heroic and historic stories is the event of the National flag hoisting for the first time on a hill named Cendrawasih, in West Papua, conducted by Paskhas members at the initiative of Sergeant M.F. Mengko. On 19 May 1962, a total of 81 Paskhas paratroopers departed from Pattimura Air Base, Ambon, on board a C-130 Hercules transport plane piloted by Major T.Z Abidin towards the target of a parachuting area around Wersar Village, Teminabuan District. In the early morning they were deployed just above the headquarters of the Dutch army. Suddenly close combat was unavoidable. Dutch troops which were sleeping was in shock because there are troops of Paskhas deployed right in their bases, while Paskhas soldiers also did not expect to be deployed in the Dutch base, rather being deployed in tea plantations. This heroic action resulted in the death of 53 Paskhas parachute commandos including the platoon commander 2nd Lieutenant Suhadi. To commemorate the historic event in the area around Teminabuan in Sorong, West Papua, a monument that is named Tugu Merah Putih was later built on the site of the battle.

Other operations