Special Forces Regiment (Airborne)
| Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) | |
|---|---|
 Pin Badge of the Special Forces |
|
| Active | June 21, 1962 - Present |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Airborne Operations, Riverine Operations, Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare Operations, Disaster Relief Operations, Psychological Operations |
| Size | 5 Special Forces Battalions, 20 Special Forces Companies, 1 Special Forces School |
| Part of | Under the Special Operations Command, Philippine Army (SOCOM, PA) |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija |
| Nickname | SF |
| Motto | Courage and Determination |
| Colors | Yellow Gold |
| March | Special Forces Song |
| Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Decorations | Presidential Streamer Award |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Gen. Fidel Ramos AFP |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Patch/Tab | Special Forces Patch/Tab |
The Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) is an elite Philippine Army unit established in the 1960s by Fidel V. Ramos (first Commanding officer of the Special Forces), primarily trained in both Unconventional Warfare Operations and Psychological Warfare Operations.
Like the Scout Rangers, members of the Special Forces Regiment of the Philippine Army are also highly trained in the art of counter-insurgency operations. Upon assignment to the Special Forces, soldiers are made to undergo the Basic Airborne Course. They, later-on, undergo the Special Forces Operations Course - an eight month course that equips each SF soldier in the basics of Special Forces and Unconventiona Warfare Operations. Each member of the SF Regiment may opt to undergo speciality courses as well after finishing the Special Forces basic course. These include, but is not limited to, undergoing further training in demolitions and bomb disposal (EOD), psychological warfare operations (PSYOPS), riverine operations, combat diving, as well as VIP security training in preparation for a re-assignment with the Presidential Security Group.
Similar to the United States Green Berets, they are an elite unit established in the 1960s whose personnel are primarily trained in unconventional and psychological warfare operations. As in their U.S. counterparts, Special Forces soldiers are trained in one of five primary Special Forces specialization that eventually become their Special Forces MOS. These five skills are: Operations and Intelligence, Demolitions and Sabotage, Weapons, Signal Commuications, and Field Medical specialization.
The basic combat organization of the Special Forces is the 12-man Special Forces Team. An SF team will have at least one of each SF MOS present in the team.
Contents |
[edit] Lineage of Commanders
- Colonel David Abundo
- Colonel Melchor Dela Cruz
- Colonel Leo Alvez
- Colonel Voltaire Gazmin
- Colonel Alan Cabalquinto
- Colonel Victor Ibrado
- Colonel Benito Ramos
- Colonel Arturo Ortiz
- Colonel Roberto Morales
- Colonel Aminkadra Undug
- Colonel Donato San Juan
[edit] Notable Officers
- General Fidel V. Ramos AFP- (First Commanding Officer)
- General Lisandro Abadia AFP
- General Angelo Reyes AFP
- Lieutenant General Voltaire Gazmin AFP
- Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz AFP
[edit] Headquarters
- Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija (1962-1986;1995-Present)
- Fort Andres Bonifacio, Makati City, Metro Manila (1986-1995)
[edit] Operations
- Anti-guerilla operations against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front.
- Counter-Terrorist operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemaah Islamiyah, and Al Qaeda operating in the Southernmost Philippine Island of Mindanao.
- Anti-guerrilla operations against the New People's Army.
- Anti-guerrilla operations against Communist Dissidents at height of the Vietnam War in support of the PHILCAVG.
- Anti-Coup D' Etat Operations during the May 1 Riots (May 1, 2001)
- Anti Coup D' Etat Operations during the height of the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny led by LTSG Antonio Trillanes IV PN.
- Anti Coup D' Etat Operations during the height of the 2006 Coup attempt led by BGen Danilo Lim AFP.
- COMELEC Marshalls during National and Local Elections.
- Provided force on force multipliers for government forces during the height of the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and BGen Danilo Lim AFP.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Philippine Army History, The Philippine Army Museum
