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 ground forces which providing Infantry for protecting air bases and high value assets, Special forces, Combat Controller (CCT), Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), Pararescue, Tactical Air Control Party, and anti-hijacking capabilities.[1]
RTAF Security Force Command | |
---|---|
หน่วยบัญชาการอากาศโยธิน กองทัพอากาศไทย | |
Active | Late 1937-present |
Country | |
Branch | |
Type | Air force infantry and special forces |
Role | Air Force Base security and provides ground support for air operations. |
Size | 20,000 |
Part of | Royal Thai Armed Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand |
Website | https://sfc.rtaf.mi.th/index.php/page-main |
History
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
RTAF:Security Force Command
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]
- 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 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 53
- 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: 3rd Anti - Aircraft Battalion,The King's Guard
- RTAF: Special Operations Regiment (Commando)
- RTAF: Music Division
Equipment
Small arms
Model | Origin | Type | Caliber | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pistols | ||||||
M1911 pistol | Thailand/ United States |
Semi-automatic pistol | .45 ACP | M1911A1 | ||
Smith & Wesson M&P | United States | Semi-automatic pistol | .22 LR | M&P18 M&P15 | ||
Colt Commander | United States | Semi-automatic pistol | .38 Super | |||
Browning Hi-Power | Belgium | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | |||
Shotguns | ||||||
Remington Model 870 | United States | Shotgun | 12 gauge | |||
Assault rifles | ||||||
M16 rifle | Thailand/ United States |
Assault rifle | 5.56mm | A1 | ||
Heckler & Koch HK33 | Thailand/ Germany |
Assault rifle | 5.56mm | HK33A3 | ||
Bushmaster M4-type Carbine | United States | Carbine | 5.56mm | |||
Submachine guns | ||||||
Uzi | Israel | Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | |||
Machine guns | ||||||
M60 machine gun | United States | General purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | |||
M2 Browning machine gun | United States | Heavy machine gun | .50 BMG | |||
Grenade launchers | ||||||
XM148 grenade launcher | United States | Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade | |||
M203 grenade launcher | United States | Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade | |||
Mortars | ||||||
M1 mortar | United States | Mortar | 81 mm mortar |
Air-defense weapons
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 |
RBS 70 | Sweden | Man-portable air-defence system | |
QW-2 Vanguard 2 | China | Man-portable air-defence system | |
MK 30 | Germany | Anti Aircraft Artillery | MK 30 Rheinmetall Mauser Mod. F - 8 Twin 30mm Anti Aircraft Artillery |
Bofors 40mm L/70 | Sweden | Anti Aircraft Artillery | 40mm Anti Aircraft Artillery |
Type 74 | China | Anti Aircraft Artillery | Twin 37mm Anti Aircraft Artillery |
Radar systems
Model | Origin | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
AN/FPS-117 | United States | Long Range 3D Air Search Radar | RTADS I. |
Martello-743D | United Kingdom | Long Range 3D Air Search Radar | RTADS l/ll. |
AN/FPS-130X | United States | Long Range 3D Air Search Radar | RTADS lll. |
AN/TPS-78 | United States | Long Range 3D Air Search Radar | RTADS ll.[7] |
AN/TPS-79 | United States | Long Range 3D Air Search Radar | RTADS ll. |
DR-162 ADV | United States | Short Range 2D Air Search Radar | |
AN/TPS-703 | United States | Mobile Long Range 3D Air Search Radar | |
Giraffe-180/40 | Sweden | Mobile Medium Range 2D Air Search Radar | |
ASR | Japan | Airport Surveillance Radar | |
DWSR-88C | United States | Weather Radar | |
TVDR-3501C | United States | Weather Radar | |
TVDR-2500C | United States | Mobile Weather Radar | |
KRONOS Radar Systems | Italy | Air Search Radar | |
C2ADS | Thailand | Air Search Radar |
Engagements
- Cold War
- Communist insurgency in Thailand
- Communist insurgency in Malaysia
- Vietnamese border raids in Thailand
- Thai–Laotian Border War
- The Hijacking of Garuda Flight GA 206 (Woyla Operation) 1981
- Southern Insurgency
- Operation Pochentong
See also
- Special Forces of Thailand
References
- "'บิ๊กแฟร้งค์' นำบิ๊กทัพฟ้าร่วมงานวันสถาปนาหน่วย 'อากาศโยธิน' ครบ 69 ปี". thairath.co.th (in Thai). 27 December 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- https://pantip.com/topic/33206728
- http://www2.sfc.rtaf.mi.th/index.php/2017-02-01-01-28-28/2017-02-01-01-56-55
- http://www3.rtarf.mi.th/ucml/index.php?p=show_detail&id=21799
- https://sfc.rtaf.mi.th/index.php/2017-02-01-01-28-28/2017-02-01-01-54-03
- "Northrop Grumman to Supply AN/TPS-78 Air Defense Radar Systems to Royal Thai Air Force". 26 November 2013.