RTAF Security Force Command

The RTAF Security Force Command (Thai: หน่วยบัญชาการอากาศโยธิน) is a Division size unit in the Royal Thai Air Force. It has been in existence since 1937. They are based near Don Mueang International Airport. The RTAF Security Force Command is the main air force ground forces and special forces which providing light infantry for anti-hijacking capabilities, protecting air bases and high value assets, protecting international airport in insurgent areas. It also serves as the Royal Thai Air Force Special Operations Regiment (RTAF SOR) which consists of various units such as Combat Control Team (CCT), Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).[1] Ground forces in this unit use textbooks similar to those used by Royal Thai Army infantrymen, whether it is in terms of first aid, forward observer, hand and arm signals, hand-to-hand combat, jungle warfare, light and heavy weapons, living off the jungle, radio communications, raiding and reconnaissance tactics, use a map and compass, and other knowledge related to infantry. But with the fact that they are an air force ground force, they have received additional training with an emphasis on protection air base and airport in response to the mission of the agency. Therefore, they received additional training about CBRN defense, combat and patrolling in urban areas, counter-sabotage air base and airport, CQB and CQC, crowd control when chaos near air base and airport, inspection and interception techniques before entering the air base and airport, defense reconnaissance in air base and airport areas, respond to anti-hijacking capabilities, using advanced technology to against aircraft threats and support air operations, and other skills related to self-defense on the battlefield if the fire base is attacked or attacked while moving.

RTAF Security Force Command
หน่วยบัญชาการอากาศโยธิน
กองทัพอากาศไทย
ActiveLate 1937-present
Country Thailand
Branch Royal Thai Air Force
TypeAir force infantry and special forces
Size20,000
Garrison/HQDon Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Bangkok, Thailand
Websitehttps://sfc.rtaf.mi.th/index.php/page-main

History edit

Royal Thai Air Force Security Force Command at that time it was called infantry division, established by the influence of RAF Regiment.[2] It organized according to the official rate of the Royal Thai Air Force in 1937 so-called "military regulations on the determination of the Air Force personnel 80" used on 6 September 1937. At the Air Force rate it assigned to has the infantry division consist of commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and private. This infantry division is up to the Commander of the Wing. The infantry division be stationed on Wing 1 to Wing 5, the first five infantry divisions were the first of its kind in the Royal Air Force that means Security Force Regiment was happened in the air force.[3][4]

Organization edit

RTAF:Security Force Command edit

Royal Thai Air Force Security Force Command consist of 3 main regiments and multiple support units. Additionally, one separated air base protection battalions and one separated anti-aircraft battalions are station in each air bases.[5]

Hat Yai
Surat Thani
Chiang Mai
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Phitsanulok
Kamphang Saen
Khok Ka Thiem
Air bases of the Royal Thai Air Force
  • RTAF: Security Force Training Center
  • RTAF: Security Force Regiment, The King's Guard
    • RTAF: 1st Security Force Battalion, The King's Guard
    • RTAF: 2nd Security Force Battalion, The King's Guard
    • RTAF: 3rd Security Force Battalion, The King's Guard
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 1
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 2
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 3
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 4
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 5
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 7
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 21
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 23
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 41
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 46
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/WING 56
    • RTAF: Security Force Battalion/Flying Training School
  • RTAF: Anti - Aircraft Regiment, The King's Guard
    • RTAF: 1st Anti - Aircraft Battalion, The King's Guard
    • RTAF: 2nd Anti - Aircraft Battalion, The King's Guard
  • RTAF: Special Operations Regiment (Commando)
    • RTAF: 1st Special Operation Battalion ( Commando )
    • RTAF: 2nd Special Operation Battalion ( Pararescuemen )
    • RTAF: 3rd Special Operation Battalion ( Combat Control Team )
    • RTAF: Aerial Support Company
    • RTAF: Combat Search and Rescue Center (CSAR) (Pararescuemen)
  • RTAF: Music Division

Equipment edit

Small arms edit

M1911 pistol
An Uzi submachine gun
M2 Browning machine gun
ModelOriginTypeCaliberNotes
Pistols
M1911 pistolThailand/
United States
Semi-automatic pistol.45 ACPM1911A1[6]
Smith & Wesson M&PUnited StatesSemi-automatic pistol.22 LRM&P18[6]
M&P15[6]
Colt CommanderUnited StatesSemi-automatic pistol.38 Super[6]
Browning Hi-PowerBelgiumSemi-automatic pistol9×19mm Parabellum[6]
Shotguns
Remington Model 870United StatesShotgun12 gauge[6]
Assault rifles
M16 rifleThailand/
United States
Assault rifle5.56mmA1[6]
Heckler & Koch HK33Thailand/
Germany
Assault rifle5.56mmHK33A3[6]
Bushmaster M4-type CarbineUnited StatesCarbine5.56mm[6]
Submachine guns
UziIsraelSubmachine gun9×19mm Parabellum[6]
Machine guns
M60 machine gunUnited StatesGeneral purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATO[6]
M2 Browning machine gunUnited StatesHeavy machine gun.50 BMG[6]
Grenade launchers
XM148 grenade launcherUnited StatesGrenade launcher40 mm grenade[6]
M203 grenade launcherUnited StatesGrenade launcher40 mm grenade[6]
Mortars
M1 mortarUnited StatesMortar81 mm mortar[6]

Land vehicles edit

ModelOriginTypeQuantityNotes
Cadillac Gage CommandoUnited StatesArmored car12With 12.7mm and 7.62mm MG
CondorGermanyArmored car18With 20mm and 7.62mm MG

Air-defense weapons edit

ADATS
ModelOriginTypeNotes
KS-1CChinaSurface-to-air missile system1 Battery
ADATSSwitzerlandLaser-guided supersonic missile4 Fixed emplacement/semi-mobile[6]
RBS 70SwedenMan-portable air-defence system[6]
QW-2 Vanguard 2ChinaMan-portable air-defence system[6]
MK 30GermanyAnti Aircraft ArtilleryMK 30 Rheinmetall Mauser Mod. F - 8 Twin 30mm Anti Aircraft Artillery[6]
Bofors 40mm L/70SwedenAnti Aircraft Artillery40mm Anti Aircraft Artillery[6]
Type 74ChinaAnti Aircraft ArtilleryTwin 37mm Anti Aircraft Artillery[6]

Radar systems edit

AN/FPS-117
ModelOriginTypeNotes
AN/FPS-117United StatesLong Range 3D Air Search RadarRTADS I.[6]
Martello-743DUnited KingdomLong Range 3D Air Search RadarRTADS l/ll.[6]
AN/FPS-130XUnited StatesLong Range 3D Air Search RadarRTADS lll.[6]
AN/TPS-78United StatesLong Range 3D Air Search RadarRTADS ll.[7][6]
AN/TPS-79United StatesLong Range 3D Air Search RadarRTADS ll.[6]
DR-162 ADVUnited StatesShort Range 2D Air Search Radar[6]
AN/TPS-703United StatesMobile Long Range 3D Air Search Radar[6]
Giraffe-180/40SwedenMobile Medium Range 2D Air Search Radar[6]
ASRJapanAirport Surveillance Radar[6]
DWSR-88CUnited StatesWeather Radar[6]
TVDR-3501CUnited StatesWeather Radar[6]
TVDR-2500CUnited StatesMobile Weather Radar[6]
KRONOS Radar SystemsItalyAir Search Radar
C2ADSThailandAir Search Radar

Engagements edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "'บิ๊กแฟร้งค์' นำบิ๊กทัพฟ้าร่วมงานวันสถาปนาหน่วย 'อากาศโยธิน' ครบ 69 ปี". thairath.co.th (in Thai). 27 December 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  2. ^ "ขอสอบถามเกี่ยวกับ "หน่วยอากาศโยธิน" ของไทย(และต่างประเทศ) หน่อยครับ".
  3. ^ "ประวัติความเป็นมา". Archived from the original on 2019-10-20. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  4. ^ http://www3.rtarf.mi.th/ucml/index.php?p=show_detail&id=21799
  5. ^ "โครงสร้างหน่วย".
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag "Royal Thai Air Force | ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพอากาศไทย". 2 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Northrop Grumman to Supply AN/TPS-78 Air Defense Radar Systems to Royal Thai Air Force". 26 November 2013.