RMAF Regiment

The Royal Malaysian Air Force Regiment (: RMAF Regiment, – ''Rejimen TUDM'', Jawi: ) is a ground-based formation that is part of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It comprises units that serve as special forces, air force infantry, security forces, and ground combat instructors. The regiment's headquarters are located at RMAF Jugra Air Base in Banting, Selangor.

Brigadier General Mohd Zairul Hisham Muhamad Ibrahim is the current commander of the RMAF Regiment, having succeeded Brigadier General Meor Ahmad Kamal Meor Termizi on 24 April 2024.

History

RMAF Security Regiment

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) established the RMAF Security Regiment on 1 April 1980, at RMAF Kuala Lumpur Air Base as a command for the Royal Malaysian Air Force Air and Ground Defence Force ( RMAF HANDAU) squadrons. RMAF HANDAU, the security forces of the RMAF, later expanded to 11 squadrons spread throughout Malaysia.

Renamed to RMAF Regiment

In June 1983, the RMAF underwent a restructuring that moved the RMAF Security Regiment from Air Force Command () to Air Operations High Command (—''MABES'', now known as Air Operations Command). During this restructuring, the RMAF Security Regiment was renamed the RMAF Regiment. Additionally, the RMAF Regiment established two special operations units under its authority: the Combat Air Rescue Team and the Rapid Deployment Force.

On 1 June 1993, the RMAF HANDAU squadrons under the regiment were renamed the RMAF Provost squadrons. Concurrently, the RMAF Regiment combined both special operations units into a new entity called ''Pasukan Khas Udara'' (PKU) in Malay, which has been known as the RMAF Special Forces (PASKAU) since 2002.

Relocated to RMAF Jugra Air Base; Provost squadrons separated from the RMAF Regiment

On 17 March 1999, the Air Force Command separated the RMAF Provost squadrons from the RMAF Regiment, leaving only the special forces elements under the RMAF Regiment. At the same time, the RMAF Regiment relocated to a new garrison, RMAF Jugra Air Base, located in Banting, Selangor.

Colonel-in-Chief

On 24 January 2008, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang was appointed Colonel-in-chief of the regiment. His Royal Highness was honoured with the blue beret of RMAF Special Forces by the then Chief of Air Force, General Azizan Ariffin , during a ceremony at the RMAF Jugra Air Base in Banting, Selangor.

RMAF Combat Training School established

On 1 March 2018, the RMAF Combat Training School officially began operations. The school, which falls under the Air Education and Training Command, employed instructors from units within the RMAF Regiment. Consequently, the RMAF Regiment is no longer responsible for conducting special forces selections.

HANDAU units were reactivated and reattached to the RMAF Regiment

Under the Capability Development 55 (CAP55), a plan to restructure and modernise the RMAF from 2018 to 2055, the Air Force Command reactivated RMAF HANDAU on 1 June 2020. Some personnel from the existing RMAF Provost squadrons were retrained as RMAF HANDAU squadrons. As a result, the RMAF Provost was split and solely tasked with military police duties, while the RMAF HANDAU assumed roles such as air force infantry and security forces. The Air Force Command reattached the RMAF HANDAU squadrons to the RMAF Regiment.

Structure

The RMAF Regiment, previously known as the RMAF Security Regiment, has undergone multiple restructurings since its establishment in 1980. The following are the various structures the RMAF Regiment has had:

1980–2020

1980–1993
RMAF Security Regiment
**Royal Malaysian Air Force Air and Ground Defence Force (RMAF HANDAU)
***HANDAU squadrons (x11 squadrons)
***Air Rescue Team
***Rapid Deployment Force

1993–1999

RMAF Regiment
**RMAF Provost Squadrons
**''Pasukan Khas Udara'' (RMAF Special Air Service)
***Rapid Deployment Force
***Combat Air Rescue Team

1999–2002
RMAF Regiment
**RMAF Jugra Air Base
**RMAF Special Air Service
2002–2020
RMAF Regiment
**RMAF Jugra Air Base
**RMAF Special Forces (PASKAU)

Current structure

At present, the RMAF Regiment comprises two combat units, an air base, and an education detachment. Although it serves as a ground combat formation within the Royal Malaysian Air Force, not all ground combat formations fall under its purview. For instance, the RMAF Ground Base Air Defence (RMAF GBAD) operates independently of the RMAF Regiment.

In addition to the mentioned units, there is also a flight of RMAF Regiment personnel attached to the RMAF Combat Training School in Rompin, Pahang. They serve as ground combat instructors and provide training support roles within the school.

Notes

References

{{Air force infantry

Military units and formations established in 1980
Royal Malaysian Air Force