Special Task and Rescue


The Special Task and Rescue or STAR is the maritime tactical unit of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency established to protect the local maritime assets of Malaysia.
The mission and responsibility of this unit include the commencement of rescue mission in a difficult underwater situation, rescuing accident victims at sea, and searching ships tactically in the event this is required. In addition, the STAR also share the role of the rapid reaction force together with the Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL and Royal Malaysian Police UNGERIN on piracy, terrorism and robbery threats at sea before the arrival of RMP's Marine Operations Force, MMEA and RMN reinforcements.

History

Established in April 2005, a handful of Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU and RMN PASKAL commandos are transferred into the MMEA to make up the first STAR team. The concept of MMEA Special Operations is based on the United States Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team and Maritime Security Response Team.
In April 2008, twenty-five :wikt:home-grown|home-grown trainees successfully completed the MMEA Basic Commando Course Orientation held at Pulau Indah, Selangor. This included one senior commissioned officer, three senior non-commissioned officers, and one non-commissioned officer. Trainees attending this course were selected from a STAR team selection test which was held from 19 to 24 December 2007.
In July 2009, 24 trainees manage to pass the RMAF Basic Commando Course and thus forming pioneer team of home-grown STAR operators. According to Deputy Director Chief of Malaysian Maritime Operations VAdm. Dato' Noor Aziz Yunnan, the team needed an additional 200 members by the end of the year.

National Special Operations Force

In 2016, main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia are formed into one special operations task force. Few operators from the STAR was selected to be part of the National Special Operations Force. The NSOF was disbanded in October 2018.

Roles, responsibilities and capabilities

Each STAR team has 25 operators. The STAR teams are spread throughout all Maritime Districts in the country.

Uniforms and insignia

Red Beret
STAR Insignia
Shoulder Flash
Camouflage

Selection and training

Each prospective trainee needs to pass five stages of training and courses before been bestowed with the STAR Scarlet Red Beret and STAR Insignia.

Preparatory Course (4 weeks)

Lasts for one month, in the year 2011, this preparatory course was held in the RMAF Kuala Lumpur Airbase and has been overseen by instructors from PASKAU and STAR. It is a standard orientation among Malaysian Armed Forces Special Forces to weed out the weak and unprepared candidates before proceeding to the next stage of training. It follows the standards set up by MAF Special Forces.
In the present day, the STAR runs their own orientation training at MMEA's Base, Station and Academy. Overseen by veteran STAR instructors, the training is now known as Kursus Pra Asas Komando STAR.
During the orientation course implementation, each candidate had to pass three tests which are:
The objective of this course is to expose and prepare candidates before sending them to the Basic Commando Course held within the three branches of the MAF. This course lasts for two weeks in Teluk Batik, Lumut, Perak and overseen by instructors from PASKAL and STAR.
During this course, trainees will be taught how to build up mental and physical strength and the esprit de corps for the upcoming Basic Commando Course. Trainees also exposed with basic small arms operation, map reading, compass and protractor reading, basic unarmed combat, swimming, long-distance running, navigation, survival effort, and basic marksman training. Training also included first aid, interrogation resistance, and amphibious assault.

Intensive Training (3 weeks)

This three weeks training is especially to waterborne special forces such as STAR and PASKAL. Trainees who pass the Pre-Basic Commando Course will be trained in the physical aspect of land and water. This training is the final selection process before trainees sent to the Basic Commando Course.
Trainees need to pass two fitness test and one 'drown-proofing' test:
Lasts for 12 weeks, STAR candidate will be sent to either RMN Basic Commando Course at RMN Naval Base in Lumut, Perak or RMAF Basic Commando Course at RMAF Regiment Jugra, Selangor. Both RMN and RMAF Commando School is nearby to MMEA Station in Lumut and Port Klang.
In Basic Commando Course, trainees will get through five phases which is:
After graduation, trainees will be bestowed with berets according to the commando school they have entered. Either Maya blue beret for RMAF Commando School, or Magenta beret for RMN Commando School. At this point, the trainees are considered as an unofficial member of the STAR Team.

Special Task Introduction Course (6 weeks)

Once finished the 12 weeks Basic Commando Course, each trainee needs to complete a six weeks Kursus Pengenalan Tindakan Khas held by the MMEA. During the course, trainees will be exposed to weapon handling, tower training, helicopter-borne training, land and water navigation, survivability and other special operations skills.
In the closing ceremony, trainees will be bestowed with the red beret and STAR's insignia as a symbol that they are officially accepted into the elite unit.

Advanced Training

As a special operations force, the STAR operators will be sent to advance training held by the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Navy training centre.
On 14 November 2009, 25 operators from the STAR team took part in joint training exercises with 11 operators from PASKAL Alpha Team. They trained in close quarters combat and ship boarding and rescue, onboard the KD Panglima Hitam, at the RMN Naval Base in Lumut Perak. These exercises were conducted to test whether STAR members were able to perform their duties and responsibilities. The training also involved Maritime Ship and boat assets such as KM Gagah vessels and two Kilat boat classes from the Lumut Maritime District.

Equipment

Weapons
Support Items

MT Tanker MGT1 hijacking

MT Lee Bo robbery