| 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(s) | SF |
| Motto(s) | 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 | |
| Shoulder Sleeve Insignia |
 |
| Special Forces Qualification Badge |
 |
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.
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.
Units[]
The following are subordinate battalions and companies of the 1st Special Forces Regiment:
Battalions[]
- 1st Special Forces Battalion
- 2nd Special Forces Battalion
- 3rd Special Forces Battalion
- 4th Special Forces Battalion
- 5th Special Forces Battalion
Companies[]
- 1st Special Forces Company
- 2nd Special Forces Company
- 3rd Special Forces Company
- 4th Special Forces Company
- 5th Special Forces Company
- 6th Special Forces Company
- 7th Special Forces Company
- 8th Special Forces Company
- 9th Special Forces Company
- 10th Special Forces Company (Airborne) a.k.a. "COBRAS" or Company Of Brave Reverent Army Soldiers
- 11th Special Forces Company
- 12th Special Forces Company
- 13th Special Forces (Knights) Company
- 14th Special Forces Company
- 15th Special Forces Company
- 16th Special Forces Company
- 17th Special Forces Company
- 18th Special Forces (Riverine) Company
- 19th Special Forces Company
- 20th Special Forces Company
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
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
Headquarters[]
- Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija (1962-1986;1995–Present)
- Fort Andres Bonifacio, Makati City, Metro Manila (1986-1995)
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.
See also[]
References[]
- Philippine Army History, The Philippine Army Museum
External links[]
The original article can be found at Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) and the edit history here.