KOPASKA
| Komando Pasukan Katak | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 31 March 1962 – present |
| Country |
 Indonesia
|
| Branch |
 Indonesian Navy
|
| Type |
|
| Role |
|
| Size | Classified |
| Part of |
 Indonesian National Armed Forces Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) |
| Garrison/HQ |
|
| Nickname(s) | Pasukan Katak |
| Motto(s) |
Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna (Sanskrit) "There is no obstacle that cannot be defeated" |
| Colours | Maroon berets, previously dark blue |
| Mascot(s) | Green Flying Frog |
| Anniversaries | 31 March |
| Engagements |
|
Kopaska or Komando Pasukan Katak is the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy. The Unit's motto is "Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna" ("There is no obstacle that cannot be defeated"). KOPASKA was officially established on 31 March 1962 by President Sukarno to help his campaign in Western New Guinea. However, this special operations force was actually founded in 1954 by Captain (Navy) Iskak from the Navy Frogman School at Naval Base Surabaya. The Unit's main duties are underwater demolition (raiding enemy ships and bases), destroying main underwater installations, reconnaissance, prisoner snatches, preparing beaches for larger naval amphibious operations, and counter-terrorism. In peacetime the unit deploys a seven-person team to serve as security personnel for VIPs. Primary among these duties are the escort and personal security of the Indonesian president and vice-president.
KOPASKA was heavily influenced by the early US Navy Frogman Underwater Demolition Team (UDTs) and modern Navy SEAL Team.
Early KOPASKA members (Captain-Navy Urip Santoso, Lieutenant-Navy Joko Suyatno, and Sergeant EMP Joseph) trained with the UDTs in the United States. The Indonesian Navy also sent personnel to the Soviet Union to learn from Soviet Navy frogmen and demolition teams. The tradition of overseas training has continued with a few men from the unit travelling each year to Coronado, California and Norfolk, Virginia to participate in SEAL training. Returning to Indonesia, these men then recruit new personnel for KOPASKA.
Recruitment was difficult in the early years of KOPASKA as only few Navy members could pass the qualifications process. Recruitment became even more difficult when President Sukarno announced the Trikora Campaign in Western New Guinea (the Netherlands New Guinea), as KOPASKA were required to conduct beach reconnaissance, beach clearing, prisoner snatches, and human torpedo missions. The latter two missions were the most daring planned by KOPASKA – the first planned to snatch Rear Admiral Reeser, Commander in Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces in the Territory, and the human torpedo was aimed at the Dutch aircraft carrier Karel Doorman. Due to lack of personnel KOPASKA had to borrow 21 troops from the army special forces which at that time still called RPKAD - Army Paracommando Regiment, including Colonel Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, and three from the Greater Jakarta Military Region Command (Kodam Jaya). The plans were cancelled when a cease-fire was implemented between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
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Wikipedia