RMAF Special Forces

PASKAU
Active	1970 - Present
Country	Malaysia
Branch	Royal Malaysian Air Force
Type	Special Forces
Role	Counter-Terrorism, Counter Aircraft/Airbase Hijacked
Size	Force Protection Team (FPT), Skuadron Sayap Tempur-SST (English: Assault Wings Squadrons)
Garrison/HQ	RMAF Airbase Camp, Sungai Besi, Selangor
Nickname(s)	Handau
Colors	Light Blue Coloured (Beret)

PASKAU (Pasukan Khas Udara; Special Air Team) is a unit of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The squad was created in the 1970s after the covert attacked by the Malayan Communist Party were the communist agents attacked with high explosion mortar from the outside RMAF airbase and one of the DHC-4 Carribou airplane was completely destroyed. This unit was originally known as Handau. Handau underwent reorganization and was renamed as PASKAU in 1996.

Missions

PASKAU is capable of conducting

1. CSAR, to rescue a friendly pilot or soldier in enemy territory
2. Marking of targets with Laser Target Designators.
3. RMAF air base security.
4. Counter-terrorism. PASKAU is highly capable in performing hostage rescue operations in any situation and is regarded the premier anti-hijack response for civil and military aircraft. This task was taken over from Grup Gerak Khas (Army Commandos). Paskau troopers are recognized by their light blue-colored beret.

Weaponry

PASKAU members are equipped with Browning HP, Glock 17, Glock 18, Glock 19, Sig Sauer P226, Accuracy International AWM, HK PSG-1, Colt M4A1, Colt M16A1, Steyr AUG and M203. MP5SD is usually equipped with tactical lights, laser designators and EOTech sights.

Branches

Now, PASKAU units have the two branches of special units to protected the High Value assets in Royal Malaysian Air Force. It was then called Force Protection Team and elite Assault Wings Squadrons (Skuadron Sayap Tempur) to counter the aircraft hijacked and covert encounter.