Showing posts with label TNI-AD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TNI-AD. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

RPKAD vs 2nd Para

Landing at Pontianak in February 1965 during Dwikora campaign, three RPKAD companies walked directly northeast to the border, and then shifted east along the frontier to the village of Balai Karangan, West Kalimantan.
Just 1,090 meters across the border was a British outpost near the village of Plaman, Mapu. Hosting a company from the 2nd Parachute Battalion, Mapu was situated on a small hill in a valley, exposing it to observation from the ridgeline along the border. Even worse for the British defenders, their main airborne companies were in bases 32 kilometers away; through they could call in heliborne reinforcements during the daylight, chopper support would be unavailable during the night hours.
Sizing up Mapu’s vulnerability, the Indonesians decided the target was too good to ignore. Over the next two months, select members from the three RPKAD companies began a series of reconnaissance forays to map out the base’s layout. To disguise their affiliation from priying eyes while at Balai Karangan, all of the commandos wore shoulder insignia used by the army’s combat engineers.
On 25 April, final preparations were underway for the raid on Mapu. All three platoons from Company B – nicknamed Company “ Ben Hur” after the popular 1959 film – were to participate in the actual mission; the other two companies would remain just inside Indonesian territory as a reserve.
The raiders were heavily armed for the occasion. Most were equipped with the AK-47 assault rifle (the RPKAD had fully purged with the unwelcome Pindad SP-1 BM59). Each platoon had three British-made Bren light machine guns; every squad had a Yugoslavian rocket launcher M-57 44mm. And for the first time for the RPKAD, they had been given two Bangalore torpedoes – an explosive-filled tube used for breaching minefields and barbed wire.
Crossing the border after last light, Company Ben Hur moved at a glacial pace. Resting during the day, they did not come within sight of Mapu until 02.00 hours on 27 April. Stealing past Mapu village – which consisted of just five huts – they crept toward the adjacent British base. The outpost was circular and divided into wedge-shaped sectors, each wedge featuring a machine gun nest. The outer perimeter was protected by barbed wire, punji stakes, and claymore mines.
In pouring rain – which helped disguise the sound of their movement – the commandos split in three directions. The center platoon, with its Bren guns trained on the high point with lights, was set to initiate the assault. The two other platoons circled to the sides and began snaking their Bangalore torpedoes through the outer wire.
At 04.30 hours, the Brens kicked off the attack. Seconds later, each of the Bangalore torpedoes sliced through the barbed wire on the flanks. The defenders were at a major disadvantage; not only were they caught by surprise, but nearly all of the paratroopers assigned to the base were off on patrol. What remained was an under strength platoon of fresh British recruits, numbering just 34 men in total.
Rushing to man their machine guns, the British put up a spirited fight. One RPKAD private, a Catholic named Sunadi, received a fatal chest wound on the left flank. Another private was felled on the right.
But the RPKAD gave as good as it got. Over the next two hours, a withering amount of rockets and bullets all but razed the Mapu outpost. Two British paratroopers were killed; another seven seriously wounded including their commander Captain Thomson and Sergeant Major “Patch” Williams which was shot in his left eyes.
Withdrawing back into West Kalimantan, Company Ben Hur was greeted at Balai Karangan by the RPKAD’s senior most officers. In what would be the largest single battlein the entire Confrontation, they were hailed as victors. Most of the company’s platoon leaders were given field promotions. Even more welcome, the company was allowed to cut its short tour and return to Jakarta, where they marched at the front of President Soekarno in the 17 August Independence Day parade.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Pindad Promise to Complete 94 Remaining Panzer in 2010

PT.Pindad promised to seek the settlement of 94 panzer from 154 panzer ordered by the Indonesian government in 2010.
"The remaining orders will be completed until the end of 2010," said the Head of Public Relations PT. DI, Timbul Sitompul in Bandung.
Panzer 6x6 APS is a transporter panzer that can attach by two types of heavy weapons in the front and back. It’s also equipped with communication technology that is quite powerful for the task was revealed in the field.
According Timbul, panzer contract procurement with Department of Defense is the first time made. "We are working maximum to produce the panzer in large numbers," said Timbul.
The body of APS panzer is designed with steel made which blast-resistant and also equipped with Renault engine technology and gearbox from Europe.
Panzer order is one of the realization of the self-made main tools of weapons systems (Alutsista) as well as optimization of strategic state-owned enterprise (BUMN).
Meanwhile, besides giving 40 unit panzer order from Department of Defense, PT. DI also held "Security and Defense Technology Perform".
"Pindad will exhibit all the products starting from panzer, weapons and other” said Timbul.
Pindad during the time produces the grasp fire arms and long-barrel arms. One of the main weapons products is the SS-1 and SS-2 which currently being distributed and used by the military and police.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Grup-1/Parakomando Kopassus

Grup-1/Parakomando Kopassus TNI-AD
1st Group/Para Commando Army Special Forces Command

Grup-1/Parakomando was a unit equal to regiment in other forces, that becomes a part of Army Special Forces Command (Kopassus). This group was establish at March 23, 1963 with early headquarter in Cijantung, East Jakarta with Major Infantry LB Murdani as the first commander. In 1981, this group was removing into Serang, Banten basic on the idea of Indonesian Armed Forces commander General M.Jusuf. In 1983, 11-combat detachment (Denpur-11) follows to Serang.

Including to this brilliant General, based on the history if there is an enemy forces that want to attack or occupying the Java island and Jakarta as the capital city of Indonesia they will be landed in Merak harbor that not far from Serang. The Dutch in 1700’s and Japan landed in 1943 support that theory. The enemy forces across Sunda straits from Sumatera and landed their army in Merak than attack into another area in Java. Placed of this elite group in Serang also based on fact that in Cilegon, Serang there is Krakatau Steel State Company that is very strategic steel industries for this country. This industry with strategically position in state policy giving material for producing weaponry for the armed forces and also for the Indonesia development process.

Motto for this group was Eka Wastu Baladika that created by first corporal Suyanto. This group having 1.274 personnel in three combat battalion Yon-11/Astu Seno Baladhika, Yon-12/Asabha Seno Baladhika and Yon-13/Thikkaviro Seno Baladhika. Every battalion having three companies. Every company split into three platoon, that every platoon having 39 personnel. Every platoon consists of three small unit calls team strength of 10 personnel.
Today Grup-1/Parako using small arms but effective like SS-1 and SS-2, SPG-1 grenade launcher, NVG, Sig Sauer P.226 pistol, Shotgun MOD M3 Super 90, Sniper Accuracy International 7,62 mm and Machinegun Ultimax 100. Each Kopassus personnel also equipped with black FS dagger knife made by Carl Schlieper Germany.
Because Kopassus is a special forces, in every combat mission they perform, personnel that involve relatively small, not many like other regular infantry forces. Kopassus not using conventional measure start from platoon until battalion. Kopassus rarely (maybe never) doing combat operation with strength of one battalion at once. With this composition, Kopassus can be flexible in determine personnel number; can be more than regiment size (around 2.000) or less than that.

Linud Kostrad

Brigade Infanteri Lintas Udara TNI-AD
Army Airborne Infantry Brigade

Indonesian army today has three airborne infantry brigade (Brigif Linud). This three brigade was divided into two Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) division. The 3rd/Tri Budi Mahasakti and 17th/Kujang-1 were under Kostrad 1st Division Command. 17th Airborne Brigade having three battalion which is 305/Tengkorak in Karawang, 328/Dirgahayu in Cilodong and 330/Tri Dharma in Cicalengka. Kostrad 2nd Division was command 18th Airborne Brigade that consists of 501/Bajra Yudha in Madiun, 502/Ujwala Yudha in Malang and 503/Mayangkara in Mojokerto. This 17th and 18th airborne brigade was famous and becoming military legend in Indonesia with their many combat experiences.

The basic ideas for establish of the army airborne battalion began in early 1960’s when Indonesian armed forces were prepared for the Trikora operation in West Papua. The supreme commander of Trikora mission decided to infiltrate troops into Papua from sea and airborne landing. Then army trains this first three battalion to have airborne qualification in armed forces airborne training center in Margahayu Air Force Base in Bandung. This three battalion was Yon-328 from Siliwangi division, Yon-454 from Diponegoro battalion and Yon-530 from Brawijaya division. Each of this battalion making one airborne operation in Papua together with the para-commando forces from the army (RPKAD) and air force (PGT). They were dropped by parachute in the middle of the night in the jungle near small city in Papua.

After Trikora campaign, all three battalion also involve in Dwikora confrontation against the allied forces in North Kalimantan. They make some battle contact with joint forces from British, Australia, New Zealand, Gurkha and Malaysia along North Kalimantan border. In the 70’s this three airborne battalion also get Raider qualification with combat training that held in Battle Training Center (BTC) in Purworejo. This qualification making new combat skills calls Airborne-Raider (Raider Para). Unlike other regular infantry battalion this three battalion also having anti-guerilla specification which they learn from their combat experience against Indonesia separatism rebels. In 1975, this three airborne battalion becoming striking forces and also the first Indonesian troops that landed in Dili and Baucau, East Timor during Seroja operation. Just like Trikora operation, this three battalion together with Kopasandha and Kopasgat was landed by the parachute from the plane while the Marine troops was landed in Dili coast.

In the next army reorganize, Yon-328/Para and Yon-530/Para (now becomes Yonif-502) was no longer have Raider qualification. This two battalion also removing from the Military Area Command (Kodam) to the Kostrad 1st and 2nd Division controls. Yonif-454 was still under Diponegoro command with new name Yonif-401/Banteng Raider and keeps the Raider qualification. In 2003 this battalion changes into Yonif-400/Raider together with other nine infantry battalion to make new-raider battalion, but this new-raider battalion wasn’t have airborne ability.

The best personnel from the airborne battalion also recruited become army special forces (Kopassus) with added commando qualification in commando training center in Batujajar. The airborne brigade also becoming main part of the armed forces Rapid Reaction Strike Forces (PPRC) together with troops from the marine. In the army, airborne become high-ranking hierarchy in the army structure. Most of the airborne officer lead the strategically position in the Indonesian army or armed forces. The sixth Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was former 17th Airborne Brigade commander from 1993-1994.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Raider Batallion

Raider Infantry Batallion
Yonif Raider TNI-AD

Raiders Infantry Battalions were inaugurated in 2003. The first ten infantry battalions (Yonif) that are Raiders-qualified were formed from eight Kodam's (Military Territorial Command) assault infantry battalions and two Kostrad's non-airborne infantry battalions. Later in 2007, another two battalions (Yonif-514 and Yonif-733) also trained as raider qualification battalions.

Raider now becomes the biggest special forces in Indonesia with almost 10.000 personnel. But not like the old Raider, the new Raider battalion doesn’t have airborne qualification. Each Raiders battalion has strength of 747 personnel. They receive six-month intensive education and special trainings on modern combat, anti-guerilla, and non-conventional war to have a high standard qualification. Each battalion is trained to have the combat ability of three regular infantry battalion, like combat ambush and air mobility (i.e. assault and rappelling from the helicopter). Every Raider battalions also equipped with modified GMC combat tactical vehicle.

To increase its combat ability, 50 personnel from each battalion will be trained further by Kopassus (Indonesian Army Special Force) on anti-terror and other special combat intelligence technique. The first combat duty for the new Raider battalions is when they sent to the Aceh to battle against the Aceh Separatist Movement. In Aceh, raider has exceptional result such as shoot in death of the GAM commander, Ishak Daud.

The new eleven Raiders battalion are:
• Yonif Linud 100/Prajurit Setia becomes Yonif 100/Raider Kodam Bukit Barisan;
• Yonif 145/Bhakti Nagara becomes Yonif 200/Raider Kodam Sriwijaya;
• Yonif 327/Brajawijaya becomes Yonif 300/Raider Kodam Siliwangi;
• Yonif 401/ Banteng Raider becomes Yonif 400/Raider Kodam Diponegoro;
• Yonif 507/Sikatan becomes Yonif 500/Raider Kodam Brawijaya;
• Yonif 612/Modang Manggar becomes Yonif 600/Raider Kodam Tanjungpura;
• Yonif 700/Wira Yudha Sakti becomes Yonif 700/Raider Kodam Wirabuana;
• Yonif 741/ Satya Bhakti becomes Yonif 900/Raider Kodam Udayana;
• Yonif 323/ Buaya Putih Kostrad becomes Yonif 323/Raider Kostrad 1st Division;
• Yonif 412/Bharata Eka Sakti Kostrad becomes Yonif 412/Raider Kostrad 2nd Divison;
• Yonif 514/Sabbada Yudha becomes Yonif 514/Raider prepared for Kostrad 3rd Division;
• Yonif 733/Masariku becomes Yonif 733/Raider Kodam Pattimura.

Kitaipur

Kompi Intai Tempur (Kitaipur) Kostrad
Combat Reconnaissance Company

The Combat Reconnaissance Company (Kitaipur) is the newest Kostrad special forces. This unit was formed in 2001 to demolish Aceh Separatist Movement (GAM). In the beginning this unit only have one platoon known as Combat Reconnaissance Platoon (Tontaipur) for its squad but now after Kostrad success trained the other three platoons this unit have fully one company for its daily operation.

This unit formed based on army military experience that shows that mostly unit maneuver when battle happen is on platoon and company level. To have enemy movement info has becomes the most important thing to win a war. This fact is becoming basic idea to build this unit. Kostrad tactical reconnaissance unit but can also becomes elements that destroy enemy troops.

After five-month intensive trainings, 97 personnel selected from the 9th and the 13th Infantry Brigades became the first troops for this elite unit. Personnel for this unit also must have airborne qualification. For that reason, the personnel that not have airborne qualification must have airborne training in the army special forces training center in Batujajar, West Java. To train each Komtaipur platoon, Kostrad need almost one billion rupiahs to make sure that this unit have special qualification and also special weapons for each personnel.

Just as the name implies, Kitaipur will be sent to do surveillance and reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines and destroy enemy’s strategic installations. Some of the equipments that these troops carry are special assault rifles such as AK-74 and night vision goggle (NVG). Each Kitaipur personnel have the abilities to conduct operations on land, sea, and in the air.

Kostrad

Komando Cadangan Strategis TNI-AD (Kostrad)

Army Strategic Reserve Command

Kostrad as a part of Indonesian army is the biggest striking forces in Indonesia Armed Forces. Nowadays, Kostrad have almost 30.000 personnel with 34 battalion that divided in two infantry Division. The Kostrad 1st infantry division headquartered in Cilodong, West Java and 2nd infantry division headquartered in Malang, East Java. Every infantry divison lead by two star general and Kostrad commander in chief was a Lieutenant General with three stars in his shoulder. Each of the divisions contains airborne and infantry brigades; one cavalry brigade; two field artillery regiments; one Raider battalion and several combat support and service support units. In the future, Kostrad will have 3rd infantry division to cover eastern Indonesia region with headquartered in Sorong, West Papua.

KOSTRAD establish when Indonesia was dealing with the liberation of West Irian in 1960, and was formally constituted on 06 March 1961. Initially designated the Army General Reserve Corps, its name was changed to KOSTRAD in 1963. Major General Soeharto (later become Indonesia 2nd president) was the first Kostrad commander in chief and directly appointed by the president Soekarno.

These green-beret troops have never been absent from the various military operations, such as G-30-S/PKI (30 September Movement/Indonesian Communist Party), Trisula operation, the PGRS (Sarawak People's Guerrilla Force) in Sarawak, the PARAKU (North Kalimantan People's Force) in North Kalimantan, and Operation Seroja in East Timor.

Every Kostrad personnel trained with above regular troops qualification and becoming Kostrad identification for its personnel. Kostrad personnel also equipped with jungle knife (pisau rimba) that becomes Kostrad identifying mark. Chosen Kostrad personnel is recruited becomes Kostrad special forces like Raider battalion, Combat Reconnaissance Company (Kitaipur) or also recruited as an army special forces (Kopassus) with a para-commando training in Batujajar.

Sat-81/Gultor


Satuan-81/ Penanggulangan Teror (Sat-81/Gultor)
Unit-81/ Anti-Terror

This unit is most famous for its anti-terror skills. Their first international mission was to release hostages at the Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand in 1981. The Kopassus personnel who took part in this mission had trained for only three days with totally unfamiliar weapons, but brilliantly executed this fast-paced operation. One of the Kopassus personnel, Ahmad Kirang was shot dead by the hijackers. All the hijackers were killed and all the hostages were saved.
To anticipate the increase of airplane hijacking and terrorism act in the future, on June 30, 1982 the new unit, called Detachement-81 (Den-81) Kopassandha, was formally established with Major Luhut B. Panjaitan as its first commander and Captain Prabowo Subianto as its first vice commander. Both of these officers had been sent to Germans GSG-9 (Grenzschutzgruppe-9) school to learn about the anti-terror techniques. Later, Den-81 was changed into Unit-81 Counter-Terror (Sat-81 Gultor). From 1995-2001, Den-81 became the Group 5 counter-terror in the new Kopassus structure.
The most recent successful operation conducted by Sat-81 Gultor is the rescue of 26 hostages from Kelly Kwalik separatist movement in Irian Jaya on May 15, 1996. However, Operation Woyla is still the biggest and internationally well-known operation that Indonesian Army ever experienced.
Unit that under Sat-81 control is 811 battalion (special action) and 812 battalion (combat support). Currently, there is no exact information of the number of troops in Sat-81 Gultor. For much of its history Sat-81 was equipped with the most advanced and complete technology of all the units in the Indonesian armed forces. The rule is that Sat-81 equipment and weapon damaged, was not repaired but instead updated to the new model.

Kopassus

Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus)
Army Special Forces Command

On April 15, 1952, Colonel Alex Kawilarang laid the foundation for Kesatuan Komando Tentara Territorium III/Siliwangi (Kesko TT), the early name of Kopassus. It later went through no less than five name changes, going from Kesko TT to KKAD, RPKAD, Kopasandha, and finally Kopassus. The early headquartered was in Bandung, the first generation of Kopassus was only around a hundred soldiers or one company. Due to M Idjon Djanbi the first commander of Kopassus, the unit adopted a Red Beret similar to the Dutch Special Forces (KST), which is still in use by the present Kopassus.
The Kopassus is composed of five groups with the headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta. A Colonel heads each group and all groups have para-commando qualified. Of note is the unusual nature of Group III, possibly also called Sandi Yudha or Combat Intelligence Group. The duties of these group specially ability to persuade people to do something, to create situations and also include attacking behind enemy lines (infiltration tactics). Group III also, reportedly, works with the Joint Intelligence Unit on interrogations, and carries out clandestine operations around the country.
The new organization is as follows:
• Group 1/Para Commando (Taktakan, Serang, Banten) with 3 battalions
• Group 2/Para Commando (Kandang Menjangan, Kartasura, Solo) with 3 batallions
• Group 3/Combat Intelligence (Cijantung, Jakarta)
• Unit-81/Counter Terror (Cijantung, Jakarta)
• Pusdikpassus / Special Forces Training Center (Batujajar, Bandung)
KOPASSUS is considered to be an elite force that operate in small size unit and famous with its quick-strike reaction. Kopassus has been involved in numerous military actions around Indonesia such as Trikora, Dwikora, Seroja and combat operations against separatist movement. This force has special qualification such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-terrorism, and intelligence. Kopassus now considered as one of the best special forces units in the Pacific and Asia region with around 5.000 personnel. Every Kopassus soldier also have black FS dagger knife made by Carl Schlieper Germany.