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KOPASKHAS (Indonesia Air Force Elite Troops)
The Indonesian Air Force (IAF) has its own elite unit, called Air Force Special Forces Corps (Paskhas). Just like any other elite unit in the Army and Navy, Paskhas is the ground combat unit that is capable to operate on land, sea, and air. The difference is that Paskhas is trained to conquer and defend air fields from enemy, and then prepare the air fields to be able to facilitate friendly airplanes to land. This capability is called Front Air Fields Establishment and Management Operation.
The history of Paskhas as the first airborne unit is almost as old as the Republic of Indonesia. Airborne infiltration operation by 14 paratroopers on October 17, 1947 in Kotawaringin, Kalimantan, is marked as the birth date of Paskhas. In the early years of Indonesian Air Force (established on April 9, 1946), these airborne unit is called Air Field Defense Unit (PPP). In April 1952, the Quick-Reaction Unit (PGT) was also established to strengthen the IAF.
As of 1952, the IAF ground units consisted of PPP, PGT, and PSU (Air Defense Unit). On October 15, 1962, PPP and PGT were organized into Air Fields Defense Command (Koppau). Later on May 17, 1966, Koppau was renamed to Quick-Reaction Troops Command (Kopasgat). There were three Kopasgat regiments, each located in Bandung, Jakarta and Surabaya. Kopasgat was transfromed into Special Forces Center in 1985 before became Paskhas on July 7, 1997 based on the official decision of Indonesian Armed Forces Commander.
Today Paskhas has a strength of 3,000 personnels. The limited financial support from the government is the biggest challenge to modernize this unit. Each Paskhas personnel is only equipped with SS-1 attack rifle, while the Bravo Detachment Anti-Terrorist Unit is only equipped with additional Scorpion light automatic rifles.
There is a plan to expand Paskhas unit into 10 Squadron with twice as many personnels as what they are today. Until today, the placement of Paskhas still follows the organization of IAF weapon system, in particular the combat and support-combat airplanes. In other words, wherevere there is an IAF squadron, ideally there is a Paskhas squadron as the airfield defense unit.
PASKHAS
The Indonesian Air Force (IAF) has its own elite unit, called Air Force Special Forces Corps (Paskhas). Just like any other elite unit in the Army and Navy, Paskhas is the ground combat unit that is capable to operate on land, sea, and air. The difference is that Paskhas is trained to conquer and defend air fields from enemy, and then prepare the air fields to be able to facilitate friendly airplanes to land. This capability is called Front Air Fields Establishment and Management Operation.
The history of Paskhas as the first airborne unit is almost as old as the Republic of Indonesia. Airborne infiltration operation by 14 paratroopers on October 17, 1947 in Kotawaringin, Kalimantan, is marked as the birth date of Paskhas. In the early years of Indonesian Air Force (established on April 9, 1946), these airborne unit is called Air Field Defense Unit (PPP). In April 1952, the Quick-Reaction Unit (PGT) was also established to strengthen the IAF.
As of 1952, the IAF ground units consisted of PPP, PGT, and PSU (Air Defense Unit). On October 15, 1962, PPP and PGT were organized into Air Fields Defense Command (Koppau). Later on May 17, 1966, Koppau was renamed to Quick-Reaction Troops Command (Kopasgat). There were three Kopasgat regiments, each located in Bandung, Jakarta and Surabaya. Kopasgat was transfromed into Special Forces Center in 1985 before became Paskhas on July 7, 1997 based on the official decision of Indonesian Armed Forces Commander.
Today Paskhas has a strength of 3,000 personnels. The limited financial support from the government is the biggest challenge to modernize this unit. Each Paskhas personnel is only equipped with SS-1 attack rifle, while the Bravo Detachment Anti-Terrorist Unit is only equipped with additional Scorpion light automatic rifles.
There is a plan to expand Paskhas unit into 10 Squadron with twice as many personnels as what they are today. Until today, the placement of Paskhas still follows the organization of IAF weapon system, in particular the combat and support-combat airplanes. In other words, wherevere there is an IAF squadron, ideally there is a Paskhas squadron as the airfield defense unit.
PASKHAS
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