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

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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

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RTAF:Security Force Command

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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

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Small arms

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M1911 pistol
 
An Uzi submachine gun
 
M2 Browning machine gun
Model Origin Type Caliber Notes
Pistols
M1911 pistol Thailand/
United States
Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP M1911A1[6]
Smith & Wesson M&P United States Semi-automatic pistol .22 LR M&P18[6]
M&P15[6]
Colt Commander United States Semi-automatic pistol .38 Super [6]
Browning Hi-Power Belgium Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum [6]
Shotguns
Remington Model 870 United States Shotgun 12 gauge [6]
Assault rifles
M16 rifle Thailand/
United States
Assault rifle 5.56mm A1[6]
Heckler & Koch HK33 Thailand/
Germany
Assault rifle 5.56mm HK33A3[6]
Bushmaster M4-type Carbine United States Carbine 5.56mm [6]
Submachine guns
Uzi Israel Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum [6]
Machine guns
M60 machine gun United States General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO [6]
M2 Browning machine gun United States Heavy machine gun .50 BMG [6]
Grenade launchers
XM148 grenade launcher United States Grenade launcher 40 mm grenade [6]
M203 grenade launcher United States Grenade launcher 40 mm grenade [6]
Mortars
M1 mortar United States Mortar 81 mm mortar [6]

Land vehicles

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Model Origin Type Quantity Notes
Cadillac Gage Commando United States Armored car 12 With 12.7mm and 7.62mm MG
Condor Germany Armored car 18 With 20mm and 7.62mm MG

Air-defense weapons

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ADATS
Model Origin Type Notes
KS-1C China Surface-to-air missile system 1 Battery
ADATS Switzerland Laser-guided supersonic missile 4 Fixed emplacement/semi-mobile[6]
RBS 70 Sweden Man-portable air-defence system [6]
QW-2 Vanguard 2 China Man-portable air-defence system [6]
MK 30 Germany Anti Aircraft Artillery MK 30 Rheinmetall Mauser Mod. F - 8 Twin 30mm Anti Aircraft Artillery[6]
Bofors 40mm L/70 Sweden Anti Aircraft Artillery 40mm Anti Aircraft Artillery[6]
Type 74 China Anti Aircraft Artillery Twin 37mm Anti Aircraft Artillery[6]

Radar systems

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AN/FPS-117
Model Origin Type Notes
AN/FPS-117 United States Long Range 3D Air Search Radar RTADS I.[6]
Martello-743D United Kingdom Long Range 3D Air Search Radar RTADS l/ll.[6]
AN/FPS-130X United States Long Range 3D Air Search Radar RTADS lll.[6]
AN/TPS-78 United States Long Range 3D Air Search Radar RTADS ll.[7][6]
AN/TPS-79 United States Long Range 3D Air Search Radar RTADS ll.[6]
DR-162 ADV United States Short Range 2D Air Search Radar [6]
AN/TPS-703 United States Mobile Long Range 3D Air Search Radar [6]
Giraffe-180/40 Sweden Mobile Medium Range 2D Air Search Radar [6]
ASR Japan Airport Surveillance Radar [6]
DWSR-88C United States Weather Radar [6]
TVDR-3501C United States Weather Radar [6]
TVDR-2500C United States Mobile Weather Radar [6]
KRONOS Radar Systems Italy Air Search Radar
C2ADS Thailand Air Search Radar

Engagements

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See also

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References

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  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. ^ "The Ways of personnel potentiality development of RTAF Security Forces Command to counter to unconventional threats". Archived from the original on 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  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.