KOPASKA

KOPASKA

Kopaska or Komando Pasukan Katak is the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy. The Unit's motto is "Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna". KOPASKA was officially established on March 31, 1962 by President Sukarno to help his campaign in Western New Guinea. However, this special operations force was actually founded in 1954 by Captain (Navy) Iskak from the Navy Frogman School at Naval Base Surabaya. The Unit's main duties are underwater demolition (raiding enemy ships and bases), destroying main underwater installations, reconnaissance, prisoner snatches, preparing beaches for larger naval amphibious operations, and counter-terrorism. In peacetime the unit deploys a seven person team to serve as security personnel for VIPs. Primary among these duties are the escort and personal security of the Indonesian president and vice president.
KOPASKA was heavily influenced by the early U.S. Navy Frogman Underwater Demolition Team and modern Navy SEAL Team.
Early KOPASKA members trained with the UDTs in the United States. The Indonesian Navy also sent personnel to Russia to learn from Russian Navy Combat Divers and Demolition Team (BA). 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 few Navy members could pass the qualifications process. Recruitment became even more difficult when President Sukarno announced the Trikora Campaign in Western New Guinea, as KOPASKA were required to conduct beach reconnaissance, beach clearing, prisoner snatches, and human torpedo missions. The latter two missions were the most daring planned by KOPASKA â€" the 1st planned to snatch Rear Admiral Reeser, Commander in Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces in the Territory, and the human torpedo was aimed at the Aircraft Carrier Karel Doorman. Due to lack of personnel KOPASKA had to borrow 21 troops from Army Special Forces ( RPKAD - now KOPASSUS), including Colonel Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, and three from the Army (KODAM JAYA). The plans were canceled when a cease-fire was implemented between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Of the troops assigned to the Trikora campaign, the three Army troops attended Seaman School in the Naval 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) didn't approve the transfer. Instead, he accommodated the ex-KOPASKA members by creating a new special unit in KOPASSUS SAT GULTOR 81-2 Batt.
The recruitment process takes place annually at all Indonesian naval bases, so location isn't a concern. Candidates who fulfil the initial criteria are brought to KOPASKA Training Centre to participate in the selection process. Of 300-1500 candidates, only 36 to 20 actually complete the initial selection process. Those who pass the initial selection receive advanced training at KOPASKA training centre. Those who pass training then graduate to become a member of KOPASKA Unit. Only 0-16 people per year graduate to become a full member.
The training process lasts nine months, divided into four continual training phases: physical endurance/physical training, basic underwater training, commando training, and parachute training.
Each phase of training consists of a similar process. For example, the 1st phase of training is physical or endurance training. Each candidate receives a daily physical training program, e.g.: running, marching, push-ups, sit ups, pull-ups, swimming, etc. The training programs are unscheduled, so the instructor can order physical training at random. The last week of this training each candidate must be able to demonstrate strength through trials such as cross-strait swimming or rowing to Laki Island at night with little food or sleep. This training usually exploits the candidate's physical and psychological strength.
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, pathfinder,making trap and survival techniques.
Since most of KOPASKA duties are in salty and moist environments, most of KOPASKA's weapons and equipment reflect these conditions.
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 by Crye Precision. 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.
The human torpedo campaign, described above, would use KOPASKA troops like Japanese kamikaze. The strike craft was a boat installed with one MiG-17 "Fresco" ejection seat, powered by a pair of Johnson 100pk and armed with two torpedo warheads. Known as Project Y within KOPASKA circles, this project was supervised by Major Urip Santoso (Vice Adm Ret), one of the founders of KOPASKA.
Currently, the unit has approximately 300 men, divided into two groups. One group is attached to the western fleet, based in Jakarta, and the other group is attached to the eastern fleet, based in Surabaya, East Java. When called for, they conduct limited support search and rescue missions. They have also been deployed overseas as part of United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Since 2006 Kopaska use their special designed camouflage and uniform that often called "Kopaska Digital", Kopaska Digital 1st appeared is in 2006, the uniform was made by PT. Sritex and designed by PT. Mustika. Their uniform also made by Zivtac.

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