Hi guys! Do you know where I could get more info on our SF? Puro SR lang ang mga links na nkikita ko, wlang SF eh. Im interested on the Special Forces. :aberet:

SOME PHOTOS?


http://geocities.com/strike_musangs

then go to VICTORS AS ONE.


INFO?

batwentyone

http://www.angelfire.com/ga/batwentyone/Army.html

Multiple SOCOM-related questions:

I ran into the following term: "Special Forces (Airborne)". Are there any Special Forces troops that didn't go through Airborne training?

Why is the First Scout Ranger Regiment abbreviated as "FSSR"?

Commanders of the SF and SR are called "Regimental Commanders", and abbreviated as "RC", right?

Why is the current head of the SF a Brigadier General, and the head of the Rangers is a Colonel? Is the latter due for promotion?

What's the story with "Regimental" organizations? Are the SF and SR the only "regiments" in the AFP?

The PA armored units used to be under the Phil Army Light Armored Regiment (PALAR), now they are under the Light Armored Brigade. Does anyone here have the background story?

colonel leads a regiment brigadier general a brigade i dont know if the sf is organized as brigade but

SF units are organized into different core competencies like airborne, rescue, etc etc, the SFRA, SF Regiment (Airborne) specializes in airborne assualt/warfare.

Are there any Special Forces troops that didn't go through Airborne training?

SFR(A) was designed for airborne warfare actually they were patterned from the SF of the United States

Why is the First Scout Ranger Regiment abbreviated as "FSSR"?
the correct abbreviation is FSRR

Commanders of the SF and SR are called "Regimental Commanders", and abbreviated as "RC", right?
yup

Why is the current head of the SF a Brigadier General, and the head of the Rangers is a Colonel? Is the latter due for promotion?
the current head of the FSSR is a west point graduate who was involved in the 1989 coup that's the main reason why he is still a colonel.. but i've heard he's due for promotion

What's the story with "Regimental" organizations? Are the SF and SR the only "regiments" in the AFP?
actually they were composite unit of the defunct SWABde (Special Warfare Bde) under the PA during the Marcos era, SRG( Scout Ranger Group) became the FSRR and the SFG (special forces group) became Home Defense Group before they became the SFR(A). FSRR has a strength of a Bde before it's downsizing , it has a official name as part of the PA Bde but it was dropped because the rangers don't want to be called katipuneros.( see the Army troopers for more info)

The PA armored units used to be under the Phil Army Light Armored Regiment (PALAR), now they are under the Light Armored Brigade. Does anyone here have the background story?
Phil Army Light Armored Regiment (PALAR) was deactivated and all PA armored units including the Aeroscout was reorganized into the LABde as part of the AFP modernization during the time of Ramos

Once the additinal utiltity choopers and the attack choppers arrive, what if we utiize our SF troops for spearheading the attack on rebel groups?

When an intel from Army recon units or airborne surveillance systems or units confirm enemy presence, the SF troops may be flown in and initiate the attack while the attack choppers will provide fire cover.

The SF are as good as the Scout Rangers. That is why loading them in the choppers for insertion instead of the regular infantry is reasonable. THESE GUYS ARE TRAINED FOR SMALL UNIT OPERATIONS WHILE THE REGULAR INFANTRY IS NOT. We only have a few number of choppers. The loaded troops' skills should be good enough to strike the hostile forces head on.

Soon, we may even create an Airmobile Division if this setup succeeds.

The Recon teams and the neardby regular infantry units may then act as reinforcements.

This is ideal in areas where the Scout Rangers are not in the vicinity.

With this the rebels will have a hard time escaping.


Army Air Assault Regiment
http://pdff.sytes.net/index.php?showtopic=2170&st=120

Get those choppers first. It's been long overdue.

:exactly:
..and these lawmakers keep on blaming the AFP why it cant stop this rebellion.

The real culprits here are the short-sighted and dumb lawmakers. Well, if in case they arent really Reds. Hey wait. Okay forget the Red thing. Just stick with the first standpoint. :drunk:

Our economy could have grown much faster had the lawmakers supported the military modernization.

It's not too late though. These lawmakers can still make up for their disgusting performance.

This was what I have in mind in the discussions about those Cobras, Air Mobility for our troops (insertions, medevacs/dust-offs, blocking forces, CAS/gunships). More choppers to cover more area. A simultaneous attack on all identified rebel bases by MD520 and Hueys with SOG giving them no time to regroup. Those finished with their mission could augment other areas as their secondary missions. While with a limited number of attack helicopters, these will do it at a mission at a time which could be too late and the rebeles have moved out.

Maybe let the ARMY have their own air support mobility (Utility Choppers/gunships) and give the PAF the sophisticated attack helicopters would be best?

With the present disaster situation you could see how versatile these utility choppers are. They could shift troops to give assistance which a dedicated attack helicopter could not do. :dunno:

The Scout Rangers is the most popular among the PA Special Operations Unit as they are distinguished by their black BDAs, yet another unit, the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) is equally rich in tradition as the SRs, yet they are not as high-profile as their "musang" brothers. Here are some trivias about the Special Forces.

1. The Special Forces was founded by Fidel Ramos in the early 1960s, Fidel Ramos
is the father of the PA Special Forces.

2. Force Structure of the Special Forces is similar to the Scout Rangers, one
regimental headquarters, 4 batallions and several independent companies.

3. Like the Scout Rangers, the Special Forces in under the SOCOM, PA

4. The current commander, Col. Arturo Ortiz is a Medal of Valor awardee, he was
awarded the MOV as a captain in 1990 in Murcia, Negros Occidental, when as
CO of 606th SF detachment, he led an assault into an NPA cadre graduation
ceremony that resulted in 85 NPA KIA. Col. Ortiz nickname in the AFP is
"Valor"

5. MSGT Francisco Granfill is another SF Medal of Valor awardee, as his unit was
ambushed, he rallied his men, secure a 60mm mortar and repulsed the
enemy.

6. Notable personalities who served in the Special Forces are Fidel Ramos,
Lisandro Abadia and Angelo Reyes.

7. PA Airborne school is being operated by the Special Forces.

Please feel free to add your trivia or correct some of the information regarding the Special Forces.

email this guy veteran SF...... mikelogics@yahoo.com. unlike SR this guys is not mayabang.

You could check Sir mikelogic here also

ArmyRanger.com.

but maybe they the right to be mayabang, considering their accomplishments against the insurgency and islamic terrorists, that is, compared to other socom units.

yeap best SOCOM unit best loyalty record<sarcasm po iyan> ano kamo mo 1989 coup? :snipemo:

the members of the special forces regiment (airborne) are the "Silent Professionals) I , for one, : is a member of this so- called men of "Courage and Determination" :exactly:

anyways, ang mga SF ay mahahangin :tomcat: kc d lang kami sumasakay sa C130 kundi tumatalon p mula dun... AIRBORNE kc e.... another one... nga SCUBA DIVER din kaya humihithit ng compressed air.... kaya puro hangin

I think they are silent professionals, my friend's dad used to be an SF commander in Mindanao in the mid-80s, he doesn't play politics.

politics thats the word why them SR is so popular....ask Gringo he is one of them prestigous SR

SF Divers found Sunken Vessel near Alabat

CAPM ALFREDO M. SANTOS, Caluag Quezon - Scuba Divers from the Special Forces of he Philippine Army have located the sunken passenger ferry MV Isla which sank in Lamon Bay off Alabat Island at the height of typhoon "Milenyo" last month and retrieved the body of a passenger, the 201st Infantry Brigade (IB) headquarters statined here reported yesterday.

In a report to Col. Romeo D. Lustestica, 201st IB commanding Officer, LTC Paulo Leo G. Miciano said the sunken vessel was located some 90 feet below Lamon Bay with one passenger found dead insaide the cabi. The fatality was identified as Marcial Dulfo of Alabat, Quezon.

Manila Bulletin
31 Oct 2006

---

Just like their diver counterparts in the PN, PCG and PNP, assisting in recovery operations. :salute:

AFP confirms death of ASG's 'engineer'

The military confirmed Wednesday the death of the Abu Sayyaf Group's "engineer" in an encounter with the Philippine Army's Special Forces in Talipao, Sulu Tuesday morning.

Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Armed Forces chief of staff, announced in a press conference that Abu Solaiman was killed by a team of the Army's 8th Special Forces Batallion led by 1st Lt. Almerante Mejares in a clash in Mount Dajo in Talipao town at 9:45 a.m.

The military earlier claimed that Solaiman was only wounded in the encounter. Solaiman's death was confirmed after military field agents ascertained that the body recovered from the encounter site belongs to the bandit leader.

Esperon said Solaiman's body was identified based on an eyelid mole and teeth placements. The military chief said there is a gap between Solaiman's two front teeth.

Esperon said Solaiman, a former engineer, had major involvements in a series of atrocities committed by the al Qaeda-linked group in the country.

"We are even confident that [with] the death of Solaiman, who is actually the number one planner of most of the activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group, [ASG] will continue to go down," Esperon said.

Esperon cited several cases that were allegedly "engineered" by Solaiman.

He said the ASG leader planned the kidnapping of 21 foreign tourists in Dos Palmas Resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan in May 27, 2001; hostage-taking of 116 people, including a priest, in Jose Torres Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan in June 2, 2001; series of bombings in Zamboanga City, particularly the blast in Malagutay municipality in Oct. 2, 2002; and an airport bombing in 2003.

The military chief said Solaiman was among those who planned the worst maritime terrorist attack in history, the SuperFerry 14 bombing, in Feb. 27, 2004 that killed 116 passengers. The ASG leader also masterminded the Valentine's Day bombings in Makati, General Santos and Davao cities in 2005.

Esperon said Solaiman plays an important role in ASG. He said Solaiman could also be considered as higher ranked than the group's chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=63444

kudos to the SF for bagging Abu Solaiman

great freakin' job, sirs!

:salute:

Good job, Army Special Forces! :salute:
You made history again.

Hindi nagpatalo ang Special Forces sa Force Recon - they also paraded their Lieutenant and Corporal this morning on ABS CBN and told the details of their operation in killing Abu Soliaman :rifle: They look good in their tiger stripes!

Ang Rangers na lang ang wala sa ere...hehe

AFP bares: Abu Solaiman caught literally with pants down
01/25/2007 | 06:31 PM

Abu Solaiman, the second highest leader of the Abu Sayyaf who planned high-profile bombings and kidnappings of the militant group, was caught by troops literally with his pants down before he was killed almost two weeks ago in Sulu, the military said Thursday.

On January 16, troops swarmed into Mt. Dajo in Talipao town to pursue the bandits.

Solaiman was relieving himself in a heavily forested area of the mountain when one of the Army troopers chanced on the Abu Sayyaf leader.

At gunpoint, Solaiman was asked by S/Sgt. Raul Suacillo to surrender but the former resisted.

“I waited for him (Solaiman) to finish (relieving himself). So that we will not be compromised, I called him because I want to apprehend him. We even had an eye contact. I told him ‘don’t make a noise’," said Suacillo.

Suacillo said instead of surrendering, Solaiman ran and chanted “Allahu
Akbar (God is great)."

He said he opened fire at Solaiman to stop him from shouting that could warn other Abu Sayyaf members.

Suacillo was among the six soldiers promoted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on
Wednesday night for their role in the operation against Solaiman.

Suacillo’s team leader, 1Lt. Almerante Mijares, said they believe that Solaiman did not know the troops were closing on him “because it was foggy and the place is thickly-forested."

“When he was already through, he was surprised that an M14 was already pointed to him," Mijares said.

Mijares said after the incident, troops assaulted the Abu Sayyaf camp and at the height of the gunbattle two of Solaiman’s men also shouted Allahu Akbar.

“The last shout followed by a burst of fire. They withdrew; there was no longer resistance [from them," said Mijares, adding that they conducted clearing operations in the area after making sure that all of Abu Sayyaf men had already gone.


Mijares said they took pictures of Solaiman before burying him.

The troops also seized including documents from the Abu Sayyaf camp before burning it down. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/28151/AFP-bare...with-pants-down

[IMG][/IMG]
Promoted 2 ranks higher to SSG

Dulmatin wounded in Sulu clash - officials
01/25/2007 | 12:13 PM

Indonesian bomber Dulmatin was said to be wounded during last week's clash in Talipao town in Sulu province where Abu Sayyaf subleader Jainal Antel Sali alias Abu Solaiman was killed, military officials said Thursday.

"Based on signal and human intelligence, Dulmatin was allegedly wounded and also his other companions," said Army 1Lt. Almerante Mijares, commander of the 8th Special Forces Company that engaged the group of Sali on January 16.

For his part, Army Special Forces chief Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said they have yet to receive official confirmation on the supposed wounding of the Jema'ah Islamiyah bomber.

"There have been information to that effect but there is no confirmation yet," Ortiz told reporters.

At present, the group of Dulmatin is said to be being secured by Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Albader Parad, Mijares said.

Ortiz and Mijares were at Camp Aguinaldo Thursday where they recounted the clash that led to the death of Sali, the self-proclaimed spokesman of the Abu Sayyaf said to be involved in a number of bombing operations in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

Officials, however, could not say whether Omar Patek, another JI operative, was also with Sali's group at the time.

Both Dulmatin and Patek are wanted for allegedly masterminding the October 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia where 200 persons, mostly Australian tourists, were killed. - GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/28096/Dulmatin...ash---officials
:ssalute:

Slain Abu Sayyaf leader lived in floral ‘paradise’


By Dona Pazzibugan
Inquirer
Last updated 04:24am (Mla time) 01/26/2007


ABU SOLAIMAN, the notorious deputy of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, had been living in “paradise” in the jungles of Sulu before troops finally caught up with him on Jan. 16.

Solaiman (real name Jainal Antel Sali) was described by the military as the chief planner of the Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001, the blasting of SuperFerry 14 in 2004 and the Valentine’s Day bombings in Makati, Davao and General Santos cities in 2005.

The last moments of Solaiman were recounted in a news conference yesterday by soldiers who on Wednesday night received medals and promotions from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in ceremonies at Malacañang.

“You are the soldiers of the people in the finest tradition of the uniform,” Ms Arroyo said.

“You have repulsed the armed tormentors of the people by the gallant shield of the Filipino soldier.” She said the remaining Abu Sayyaf guerrillas were just remnants. “Retaso na lang sila sa inyo. Nakuha na ninyo yung mga ulo (They are just rags. You have their heads),” she said.

In all, 78 soldiers and officers received awards during the affair that was also attended by visiting US Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes.

Army 1st Lt. Almirante Mijares, head of the 8th Special Forces Company that killed Solaiman, was amazed at Solaiman’s dwellings on Mount Dajo in Talipao, Sulu.

Mijares, 30, said his men found 17 bunkers believed to be used by VIPs, like Solaiman and other Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah commanders.

Flowers and perfumes

Each hut had two beds, chairs and a makeshift bathroom for women decked with flowers and stocked with bottles of perfume.

Some 200 meters away, the troops found 27 smaller bunkers believed to be used by the Abu Sayyaf fighters.

The encampment had a cellular phone signal, which is rare on Jolo island, and natural water sources.

“There were flowers leading to the bunkers and around the bunkers. It was like paradise,” Mijares said.

Lt. Col. Monico Batle, head of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said that based on the growth of flowering plants the camp was probably set up two to three months ago.

“It was a well-developed camp,” said Batle, citing the fortifications and the water sources.

He said that after receiving intelligence information that Solaiman was in the vicinity, he deployed 60 men from the 8th Special Forces Company led by Mijares to scout the area.

VIP bunkers

The soldiers moved during the night to get to the foot of Mount Dajo.

At the break of dawn on Jan. 16, the soldiers scaled the steep mountainside to slip past the Abu Sayyaf camp’s “forward security” made up of the 27 bunkers, to position themselves behind the 17 main “VIP” bunkers.

“They took the longer and harder route to get there,” said Special Forces Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz. “You would think no one lives in that mountain,” he added.

Mijares said he and his men heard sounds from the area, including women’s voices. Scouts reported seeing people moving about as well as clothes, including camouflage jackets, hung around.

Solaiman was killed as he got close to one of the soldiers in hiding, said Cpl. Raul Suacillo, the lead scout.

Suacillo said he was four to six meters away from Solaiman, who was wearing a sando, pajamas and combat boots, when the Abu Sayyaf leader went to relieve himself in the bush.

The fog and thick vegetation provided the soldiers good cover, and Solaiman realized too late that Suacillo’s M-14 rifle was aimed at him.

“We looked at each other. I told him, ‘Come with me, be quiet (Halika, huwag ka maingay).’” Instead of stepping forward, Solaiman ran away and shouted “Allahu Akbar (God is Great),” recalled Suacillo, who did not recognize Solaiman at the time.

He said Solaiman yelled to warn his two aides who stood some 15 meters away.

Suacillo, 32, opened fire and hit Solaiman in the shoulder from the back. Solaiman tumbled into a ravine, and Mijares signaled his men to open fire.

The gun battle lasted from 9:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., according to Mijares.

But when the soldiers had finally overrun the camp, none of the rebels were left behind except Solaiman’s body that his aides failed to retrieve from the ravine, according to the military. Two soldiers were slightly wounded by M203 grenade shrapnel.

Mijares said his men took pictures of the body before they buried it in the encounter site, as they were instructed by their superiors.

$5-million reward

Upon their return to their base, the soldiers showed the pictures to intelligence operatives who recognized the wanted Abu Sayyaf leader who carried a $5-million reward on his head.

The soldiers later returned to exhume the remains and bring them back to their base, and military officials announced on Jan. 17 that they had “neutralized” Solaiman.

Suacillo showed reporters the Olympus digital camera which he said was used to take the slain Abu Sayyaf’s remains. But he said his men had erased the pictures from the camera’s memory card.

Ortiz said there were unconfirmed reports that Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Dulmatin, who has a $10-million price on his head, and Abu Sayyaf commander Al Bader Parad were injured in the encounter.

On Jan. 20, the military also announced that a US Federal Bureau of Investigation DNA test confirmed that remains dug up in Patikul, Sulu, last Dec. 27 belonged to Janjalani.

Janjalani was killed in a Sept. 4 encounter in Patikul town between 27 troops from the Marine Force Reconnaissance Platoon led by 2nd Lt. Romulo Dimayuga and about 200 rebels. Six Marines were killed and 16 wounded, while 67 rebels, including Janjalani, were killed.

Part of the job

Asked if he thought himself as a hero, Suacillo, who has been promoted two ranks to staff sergeant, replied: “That is normal for us. That is how our job is.”

Sen. Richard Gordon yesterday introduced a resolution in the Senate commending the soldiers for taking a “substantial step toward the weakening of terrorism in the country.” With reports from Christine O. Avendaño and Cynthia D. Balana

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadl...rticle_id=45717

Info?

Organization
Currently, SFR(A) has three battalions spread out throughout the country, in line with the "rightsizing" (downsizing, IMHO) of SOCOM in 2004. One SF Bn is a Riverine Bn. Old information (1996) show that at the time the Riverine Bn had 6 Riverine Assalut Companies (RAC) in addition to the HHSC.

Recently (2006), the 18th DEAR Coy was reorganized as the 11th SF Coy (Riverine). On the other hand, the 33rd Anti-Terorist Coy was replaced by the 32nd SF Coy as the SFR(A) contingent OPCON to the PSG.

Tactics/Operations
Based on anecdotal evidence, the SFR(A) operates in teams of 12 men independently for training/commanding CAFGU personnel. During direct action missions (e.g. Ortiz and the 606th SF coy against the; Mijares and the 8th SF Coy), 5 SF teams combine forces.

Uniforms
The SFR(A) has recently adopted a tigerstripe uniform of lighter shade used by the SWAG.

Is this SFR are also members of the Scout Rangers? I'm confused... kasi may nakita akong patches ng isang tigerstripes SPECIAL FORCES, then SCOUT RANGERS, then AIRBORNE, then the Airborne LOGO ..

The SFR(A) and the FSSR are different units under SOCOM

Some SF operators are known to take the SRTC. On the other hand, other SR troopers take the SFOC. As for the airborne course, even members of the PNP's SAF take it.

For example, if you search for photos of the current CSAFP Gen. Esperon, he has both the SF and SR badges plus the airborne badge

How about the LRC? Is it also an attached unit of the SFR?

SRTC? Scout Ranger Training Course? Maybe, Scout Ranger Course...

barbero scout ranger ka ba?

Question lang po, I noticed that some officers are both SF and SR qualified based on the patches/badges they wear on their uniforms. Does it mean they can command both SF and SR units?

No. However its core group was from an entire airborne class back in 2002(?). It's now the LRB.

Before the LRC there was a proposal to merge one SR, one SF platoon and one Combat support platoon(I have no info on what this is) as a dedicated CT unit. The SFR(A) expressed dissent due to doctrinal concerns.

There is one book published by the AFP "Thinking Out of the Box" (billed to be a thoughtpiece on CT but more of a memoir of former CSAFP Gen. DionisioSantiago) that has a lot of info on the development of the LRB.

It includes the requirements for joining the LRB. (Here are some of them)
1. Airborne qualified
2. Security clearance
3. Willing to be assigned to the unit for 3 yrs
4. Took the SR or SF course
5. Physical fitness (includes 19km road march, etc.) ---> will provide details later, i'll get the book.

LRB Organization
Current LRB has 3 LRCs. One LRC has 1 Scout/Sniper Platoon and 3 Assault Platoons.

LRB Missions
1. Direct Action
2. Long Range Sniping
3. CQB/Hostage Rescue(MOUT)
4. Special Reconnaissance

Where can we buy the book?

Is it sold in National and other bookstores?

No, it was published by the AFP.

I must emphasize though it is packaged as "CT perspectives in the RP for the 21st century" (or something to that effect)it is more of a book examining the career of former CSAFP Santiago.

Composite unit ala-Delta force for CT ?

Military takes control of MNLF lair in Talipao, Sulu

VIDEO:

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/5737/Military-...in-Talipao-Sulu

The LRB should also be used to rescue kidnapped OFWs in foreign countries and should start preparing for such operation rigt now. :rifle:

Some says the SFR(A) use these tigerstripes uniform only for Photo-Ops, they seldom use it or not at all during operation ... is this true? ... parang ginawa nilang Type A yung tigerstripes tapos iba yung type B ...

Actually I like those tigerstripes uniforms... :banana: