Special Forces Command (Cambodia)

The Special Forces Command (Khmer: បញ្ជាការដ្ឋានទ័ពពិសេស), previously known as the 911th Special Forces Regiment until July 2020,^[1] is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Royal Cambodian Army.^[2]

Special Forces Command
បញ្ជាការដ្ឋានទ័ពពិសេស
Country	Cambodia
Allegiance	HM The King
Branch	Royal Cambodian Army
Type	Unified combatant army special operations command
Size	14 battalions
Part of	Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Kandal Province
Nickname(s)	SF-911
Motto(s)	"អ្នកណាហ៊ានសាក ឬ អ្នកណាខ្លាំងចូលមក" (Khmer) ("Who Dares Try")
Colors	Red beret
Commanders
Current commander	Maj Gen Sum Samnang

Organization and structure

Royal Cambodian National Counter-Terrorism Special Forces training exercise.

The Operation Base of the Special Forces Command is near Takethmey Village, Kambol Commune, Angsnoul District, Kandal Province.

This unit is under direct command of the High Command Headquarters of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

The Special Forces Command has multiple units, including air assault and airborne operations unit, amphibious assault unit, CBRN defense unit, combat diving unit, counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit, executive protection unit, military intelligence unit, maintenance unit, medical unit, military communications unit, mobility and transportation unit, psychological warfare unit, quartermaster unit, selection and training unit, sniper and counter-sniper unit, and special reconnaissance unit.^[3]

The Special Forces Command has seven branches with 14 battalions under their control. Following units is distributed in the Battalions:

• Commando 1 to Commando 4 (Airborne Commando)
• Commando 5 to Commando 9 (Assault Commando)
• Commando 10 to Commando 12 (Support Commando)
• Special Group 13 (Executive Protection)
• Counter terrorist Group 14

Counter terrorist 14 Group is Cambodia'S first specialized counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit, and is the command Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) component which supports law enforcement in counterterrorism and hostage rescue operations.

Training

Most of its commandos have graduated from training under Kopassus instructors.

In order to graduate from the school, all cadets have to pass the test set. On passing, cadets receive their own red beret and a wings badge.

The SF regularly conduct trainings and joint exercises such as:

• Airborne 11 Courses (Parachuting)
• Counterterrorism and hostage rescue 3 Courses
• Military free-fall (MFF) 3 Courses
• Special forces 6 courses (Commando Red Beret)
• Tactical scuba diving 3 Courses (Chhak Saracen Sea)

Training has also been conducted in Indonesia under a special program at Batujajar. It is located 22 kilometers from Bandung (West Java), where SF soldiers have been trained in parachute jumping and Landing zone tactics.