Police Combat Diving Unit

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Unit Selam Tempur


caption=UST Insignia
dates=2007 - Present
country=flagcountry|Malaysia
branch=Marine Police
command_structure= Directly under control of the Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Special Operations Force
type=Special forces
role=Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement
size=30 Policemens (first nucleus)
current_commander=
garrison= Kampung Acheh Marine Police Base, Sitiawan, Perak
Lahad Datu Marine Police Base, Sabah
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=Senior Assistant Commissioner I Abdul Rahman Ahmad
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=Colonel-Commandant
nickname=
colors= Light Blue Beret
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries= March 25 (Police Days Anniversaries),
August 31 (Independence Day Anniversaries)

The Combat Diving Unit "(Unit Selam Tempur; UST)" is a maritime Special Operations squad, and under the command of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). Fully operational on 2007, the UST conducts with anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations in the waters surrounding Malaysia.

Trained by the United States, UST operates out of the RMP's Marine Police Bases in Kampung Aceh, Sitiawan, Perak for suppression of critical situations in the Straits of Malacca and Lahad Datu Marine Police Base, Sabah for operations in Sabah and Sarawak.

History

Established in March 2006, under the control of Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) the "Unit Selam Tempur" was established due to the pressing need to suppress the pirate attacks alongside the coastal area of Malacca Straits and open sea area of South China Sea which were continuously widespread from time to time despite various efforts done to overcome the problem. Throughout the year of 2006, 239 cases of pirate attacks were reported according to statistics of the International Maritim Bureau, Kuala Lumpur.

As a result of concerted effort by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, the piracy activities were drastically reduced. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title="Anti-piracy drive in Malacca Straits"|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3908821.stm|work=bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC|date= Tuesday, 20 July, 2004|accessdate=2008-08-24 ] Nevertheless, authorities from the 3 nations whether Indonesian Armed Forces "(TNI-Tentara Nasional Indonesia)," Republic of Indonesia Police "(POLRI-Polisi Republik Indonesia)," Royal Malaysian Police "(PDRM-Polis DiRaja Malaysia)," Malaysian Armed Forces "(ATM-Angkatan Tentera Malaysia)," Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency "(APMM-Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia)," Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) "(新加坡武装部队, Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura)" and Singapore Police Force (SPF) "(新加坡警察部队, Pasukan Polis Singapura)" will never cease to tighten their control and performs their duties in guarding the waters of the Straits of Malacca which is considered to be among the most treacherous and busiest shipping straits in the world. [cite news|publisher=The Star|title="Straits of Malacca traffic set to increase"|date=2008-05-12|accessdate=2008-06-02|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/12/maritime/21198003&sec=maritime]

Training

Based on this critical need, a specific doctrine from RMP has led to the establishment of a marine elite unit in performing the said task. Approximately 30 members of the squad (VAT 69 Police Commandos Special Forces were sent to this unit), and the unit will be upgraded to 100 men strength in the future with balanced 70-personnels will be employed in stages in the duration of two years after receiving the approval from the Public Service Department, which are divided to 3 detachments, to guard the waters of Malacca Straits and the Sulu Sea. This unit were trained by the VAT 69 Police Commandos and US Navy SEALs from the one training series called "Fusion Mint."

In the first phase, a 30-personnels strong special force is to undergo training in Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu, by 10 instructors from SEALs. Besides the basic diving training, they will be trained with other basic training, including tactical warfares, Diving Phase, marksmanship, sniping, bomb disposal and paramedic training, along with special missions which are normally handled by special forces. [cite news|publisher=Utusan Malaysia|title="Unit Selam Tempur - miliki kemahiran ala komando"|date=2008-07-27|accessdate=2008-08-18|url=http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0728&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=polis%5F%26%5Ftentera&pg=te_01.htm&arc=hiveMs icon]

On 2 February 2007, UST anti-teror marine police and VAT 69 Police Commandos regularly trains abroad with Japan Coast Guard (JCG), Royal Thai Marine Police (RTMP) and Thai Marine Department (TMD) for the combating maritime robberies exercise at waters of Ku Tarutao, Thailand, four nauticals from Malaysia-Thai borders. The Japan Coast Guard deployed the PLH22 YASHIMA 5,000 tons patrol vessel to Langkawi for this mock exercise.

Capabilities

The remaining training phases are almost similar receive by special communities from around the world, such as:

*Counter-terrorism/Force Protection
*Close Quarters Battle (especially in hijacking ships)
*Vertical Insertion (Fast Roping technique)
*Search and Rescue
*Port Protection/Counter-sabotage
*Underwater Port Security
*Mines detections
*Tactical Boat Operations
*Paramedic capability

Weaponry / Equipment

UST operators are equipped with specialized weaponry and marine assault vehicles, including Glock 19 pistols, Remington 870 breaching shotguns, HK MP5A3, MP5N, MP5K-A4 submachineguns, Colt M4A1 SOPMOD Block II assault carbines (possibly is being funded by the United States), the M203 grenade launcher and Heckler & Koch PSG-1 sniper rifles, as well as Accuracy International Arctic Warfare sniper rifles. Machine guns include the FN MAG. That this unit has it own RHIB navy transport speedboat with 10 passengers capacity and able 60 knots maximum high speeds, used two engines with 250 horses power every one to increase its maritime operationals. [cite news|publisher=Utusan Malaysia|title="Bot penggempur RHFB perkasa pasukan Polis Marin"|date=2008-04-03|accessdate=2008-06-02|url=http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0403&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=johor&pg=wj_03.htm&arc=hiveMs icon]

For equipment UST basically uses commercial scuba diver equipment. All operatives also equipped with lightweight PRO-TEC helmets, fire-resistant Nomex coveralls, or BDUs (battle dress uniform), Plate Carrier for carrying ammunition and specialist equipment, tactical gloves, balaclava or protective face covering, protective eye goggles, Gas mask, flashlight (usually a Surefire or Heckler & Koch brand), combat steel reinforced boots, flexi-cuffs, and thigh ammo. They often use drop leg holsters, while some officers prefer hip holsters.

References

ee also

* PASKAL

Comparable Maritime Special Forces

* Special Security Team
* Maritime Safety and Security Team