Kopassus groups reduced to 3, with 2 supporting units<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Army's Special Force (Kopassus) officially
\nannounced on Monday the reorganization of its structure from five
\noperational groups to three, with two supporting units.<\/p>\n
Kopassus chief Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni, however, said the new
\nstructure would be under trial for one year before being reviewed
\nfor further implementation.<\/p>\n
\"The reorganization of Kopassus has been approved (by the
\nIndonesian Military headquarters). But, the process is ongoing,\"
\nAmirul told a media conference after chairing the ceremony to
\ncommemorate the force's 49th anniversary at its headquarters in
\nCijantung, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Most of the retired generals from Kopassus were present at the
\nceremony, including former Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) chief
\nGen. (ret) Leonardus Benyamin \"Benny\" Moerdani, former minister
\nof defense and security Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat, Minister of
\nTransportation and Telecommunications Gen. (ret) Agum Gumelar,
\nand Minister of Industry and Trade Gen. (ret) Luhut Binsar
\nPanjaitan.<\/p>\n
\"Regarding the deployment of troops affected by the
\nimplementation of the new structure, it will be up to the Army
\nChief of Staff and the Kopassus personnel department to manage,\"
\nsaid Amirul, who was accompanied by commanders of the three
\ngroups and the two units in the media conference.<\/p>\n
As a result of the reorganization, some 6,000 Kopassus
\npersonnel who are split into five groups, will be reduced in
\nnumber.<\/p>\n
But, Amirul declined to mention the actual figure, saying that
\n\"there is no such elite force in the world that would reveal the
\nexact number of its troops.\"<\/p>\n
He quickly added that Kopassus was among the smallest elite
\ntroops in the world.<\/p>\n
In 1996 the elite force was expanded from four groups to five.<\/p>\n
Group I, located in Serang, Banten province and Group II,
\nlocated in Kartosuro, near Surakarta, Central Java, both
\ncomprised combat troops.<\/p>\n
Group III in Batujajar, Bandung, West Java, was responsible
\nfor education and training.<\/p>\n
Groups IV and V, located in Cijantung, East Jakarta, were
\nresponsible for intelligence and anti-terrorism operations
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
The 1996 reorganization also promoted the Kopassus chief from
\nthe rank of brigadier general to major general.<\/p>\n
The current Kopassus reorganization will retain the two combat
\ngroups and the intelligence group, but convert the anti-terrorism
\ngroup into an anti-terrorism unit and the education and training
\ngroup into an education center.<\/p>\n
Combat Groups I and II will be located in Serang and
\nKartosuro, respectively, while Intelligence Group III will be
\nlocated in Cijantung.<\/p>\n
The new anti-terrorism unit, also to be situated in Cijantung,
\nwill report directly to the Kopassus chief, while the Kopassus
\nEducation Center will be situated in Batujajar.<\/p>\n
Separately, Kopassus spokesman Capt. Farid Ma'ruf said the
\nanti-terrorism unit will be named the Kopassus 81 Anti-Terror
\nUnit and be led by Col. Lodewijk F. Paulus, while the Education
\nCenter will be led by Col. Hotma Marbun.<\/p>\n
Groups I and II will still be led by Col. I Ketut Mudja and
\nCol. Edwin Hudawi Lubis respectively. While the former Group IV,
\nnow renamed Group III, will be led by Col. Hotmangaradja
\nPanjaitan.<\/p>\n
\"We may channel the remaining personnel to other units in the
\nArmy headquarters,\" Farid told The Jakarta Post by telephone.
\n(02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kopassus-groups-reduced-to-3-with-2-supporting-units-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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