KOPASKA
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Frogman Forces Command | |
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Komando Pasukan Katak | |
Naval Special Forces | |
Role |
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Size | Classified |
Part of | Indonesian Fleet Command |
Garrison/HQ |
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Nickname(s) | Hantu Laut (Ghost of the Sea) |
Motto(s) | Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna ("There is no obstacles that cannot be defeated") |
Colours | Maroon berets, previously dark blue |
Mascot(s) | Green Flying Frog |
Anniversaries | 31 March |
Engagements | Western New Guinea (Papua) - 1950s
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The Kopaska (
History
Kopaska was heavily influenced by the early US Navy Frogman
Kopaska was officially established on 31 March 1962 by President Sukarno to help his campaign Operation Trikora in Western New Guinea.[2] However, in 1954, Captain (Navy) Iskak had an idea to form a frogman unit in the Navy which eventually act as precursor to Kopaska.
Early Kopaska members Captain (Navy) Urip Santoso, Lieutenant (Navy) Joko Suyatno, and PO1C EMP Joseph trained with the UDTs in the United States. The Indonesian Navy also sent personnel to the Soviet Union to learn from Soviet Navy frogmen and demolition teams. 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
Of the troops assigned to the Trikora campaign, the three Army personnel from Kodam Jaya (Maksum, Alex Sunaryo, and Budi Suroyo) attended Seaman School in the Naval Education and Training Command (Kodikal) and became regular members of Kopaska. 18 of 21 RPKAD wanted to stay with the Navy, but the Commander of RPKAD (Major General Mung Pahardimulyo) 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:
- combat divers, now known as Paska GULTOR.
- Army Strategic Command Reconnaissance Platoon and counter-terrorist team, the Tontaipur.
- Satuan Bravo 90counter-terrorist team.
Both
Organization
- 1st Fleet Frogman Command Unit (Satkopaska Koarmada 1)
- Command HQ
- Detachment 1 Sabotage / Anti-Sabotage (Terror)
- Detachment 2 of Special Operations
- Detachment 3 Combat SAR
- Detachment 4 EOD and Naval Minesweeping
- Detachment 5 Underwater Demolition
- Detachment 6 Special Boat Units
- 2nd Fleet Frogman Command Unit (Satkopaska Koarmada 2)
- Command HQ
- Detachment 1 Sabotage / Anti-Sabotage (Terror)
- Detachment 2 of Special Operations
- Detachment 3 Combat SAR
- Detachment 4 EOD and Naval Minesweeping
- Detachment 5 Underwater Demolition
- Detachment 6 Special Boat Units
- 3rd Fleet Frogman Command Unit (Satkopaska Koarmada 3)
- Command HQ
- Detachment 1 Sabotage / Anti Sabotage (Terror)
- Detachment 2 of special Operations
- Detachment 3 Combat SAR
- Detachment 4 EOD and Naval Minesweeping
- Detachment 5 Underwater Demolition
- 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.
Education
- General navy academic courses, such as: Sea Operations, Navigation, Machinery, Electronics, Ships construction, Communication, etc.
- Kopaska indoctrination (combat diving, combat swimming, cartography, shooting different types of weapons, driving and handling ships and speed boats)
- Commando education (Jungle warfare, jungle survival, etc.)
- Airborne
- Clandestine
- Underwater demolition
- Combat search and rescue
Training
The training process lasts ten months, divided into four continual training phases: physical endurance/physical training, basic underwater training, commando training, and parachute (Airborne) 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:
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 (including combat free-fall, static line, and HAHO/HALO), pathfinder, trap making and survival techniques.
Joint Exercise
Kopaska has conducted several joint exercises with other elite naval forces from other countries.
- FLASH IRON with US Navy SEALs and United States Navy Riverine Squadron[3]
- PANDU EX with Naval Diving Unit (NDU) [4]
- Malindo Malaysia & Indonesia (Exercise with TLDM PASKAL in Maritime Interdiction Operation)
- PANDU EODEX with Republic of Singapore Navy Naval Diving Unit / RSN-NDU alternately Singapore and Indonesia
- MINEX with Republic of Singapore Navy
- SEA EAGLE with Republic of Singapore Navy
- MCMEX / DIVEX with NAVAL EOD Team from 25 Asia Pacific countries in Asia Pacific
- Joint Exercise with Pakistan SSG Navy[5]
- Balance Iron with US Army Airborne & Ranger US Army
- Various Series of USPACOM Training Programs: Naval Engagement Activity (NEA), Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), Peace Support Initiative Operations (GPOI) etc.
- Various Training Series UN Peacekeeping Operation: Khan Quest (Mongolia), Garuda Shield (Indonesia), Cobra Gold (Thailand-USPACOM) Global Positive Operation Initiative (GPOI) USPACOM (UNMOC, UNSOC, PSOIC, Traine of Trainer / ToT), ADF Warfare Center UNMOC & CIMIC (Australia), UNDPKO ITS ToT in Jakarta
- UN Peacekeeping missions: UNMO (UNOMO / Iraq, UNAMID / Darfur, UNMIS / Sudan, UNMISS / Southern Sudan, UNMIBH / Bosnia & Herzegovina, MONUC / Congo), UN Staff (Lebanon, Congo), UN Contingent (Indo Mech Batt / Lebanon, Force Protection Coy / Lebanon, Eng Coy / Congo)
Weaponry and equipment
Since most of Kopaska duties are in salty and moist 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:
- H&K USP, CornerShot
- MP7
- HK417, SR-25
- GPMG, Pindad12.7 MG's.
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 (By deflating the hull, a Sea Raider can also can be used as a sub-skimmer craft). 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
Trikora campaign
Early plans, included a proposed "human torpedo" campaign. An attack boat was equipped with a
MV Sinar Kudus Hostage Rescue
On March 16, 2011, an Indonesian merchant ship, MV Sinar Kudus, carrying nickel ore from
Other Missions
- Carry out various Special Operations / Intelligence of TNI and Navy
- Conducting Special Operations "Scraper Plow"
- Carrying out Special Operations "Lusitania Expresso"
- Anti-Piracy operations
- Pursuing Pirates in the Malacca Strait, Sunda Strait, Bangka Belitung
- Pursuing Pirates in eastern Indonesia region
- VIP and VVIP Security (Non-Aligned Summit, Bali Democracy Forum etc.)
- Security operations in Ambalat Block - Unarang Corals
- Security operations of Vital Objects such as in national Oil Rigs
Uniform
Since 2006, Kopaska have been wearing their own pixelated camouflage design that often called "Kopaska Digital". A second version has also appeared utilizing lighter colors, the second version has a trident or three-pronged harpoon being grasped by a frog incorporated into the pixelated design. Kopaska Digital first appeared is in 2006, the uniform was made by PT. Sritex and designed by PT. Mustika.
References
- ^ Purbakusuma, Hanung Jati (15 January 2020). "Profil Kopaska TNI AL, Pasukan Katak Andalan Indonesia". HobbyMiliter.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "komando pasukan katak". militer.id. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "FLASH IRON". tni.mil.id. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "EX PANDU". tni.mil.id. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "Kopaska dan Pakistan Navy Gelar Latihan Bersama Sea Thunder III". Information Service of Government of East Java (in Indonesian). 26 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "News: MV Sinar Kudus Hijacked; Used As Mothership". 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Burhani, Ruslan, ed. (1 May 2011). "Somali pirates release Sinar Kudus crew". Antara News. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Kisah Operasi Pasukan Katak di MV Sinar Kudus". Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
- ^ "Kronologi Pembebasan Sinar Kudus, Uang Tebusan Dihitung Hingga Malam". Detik News. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2018.