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AIRBORNE HISTORY
:Formation of, and training in the Royal Thai Marine Corps
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Ed. Forenote: Bob Alden is one of Dr. Franklin Osaka's Friendship Airborne Stalwarts. The article that follows was written by Bob to record a part of the Thai Military History. Though fairly in terms of time, the fact is that this airborne school has celebrated 21 years of existence this past May. Much that transpires at the school would be familiar to you -proving a point that "airborne" is much the same worldwide! One reason why we cover foreign airborne stories in the quarterly is to emphasize the universal community of our profession. Though cultures may vary one thing about "airborne" is constant-if you are "airborne" you share something in common in all others who are "airborne"! "Doc" Osanka's Friendship Airborne Tours have jumped with the Royal Thai MC in 1994 and 1996, and plan to do so again in a future Tour. Taking a real close look of the picture of the riggers I'm betting it would be a good bet to make the next one!!!!!! If you are on the Internet, you could visit "Doc" Osanka's site at http://marina.fortunecity.com/cyprus/33index.html> Or phone, fax or e-mail him at Phone 414-639- 7686; e-mail: docfatsinc@aol.com. While your "booted up", why not "hit" the American Airborne Association site at
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Background
In May 1978 the Royal Thai Marine Corps in order to improve the tactical mobility and insertion capabilities of the Marine division's Reconnaissance Battalion gained permission and funding from the Royal Thai Marine Corps Education command's Special Warfare Ops. Sector (located at Prince Chumphon Camp, Sattahip). The establishment of the airborne school and its standards / criteria including the provision of qualification insignia is set out in command 456/22, July 1974.
Prior to the Royal Thai Marines establishing its own airborne program. Small numbers of Marines and Royal Thai Navy received airborne training at the Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Center's airborne School at Lopburi. Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Center Assistance was sought in establishment of the Royal Thai Marine Corps Airborne School.
The royal Marine corps Basic Airborne school graduated its first students (all commissioned officers) in August 1979. Sixty personnel successfully completed the school from original seventy-five applicants. Commanders? Manu Reungachai, RTN and Sampoon Suntronkate, RTN, commanded the first course. The leader of students was Captain Nakron Piboonsawat, RTN, who later rose to the rank of Vice Admiral, Sommandant Royal Marine Corps. Air Support for the Basic Airborne School and all its subsequent courses is provided by the Royal Thai Navy Air Division's 2nd Air Wing. The C-47 was the primary jump platform until replaced by the F-27 in 1985. The Canadian CL-215 Amphibian has also supported Airborne Ops.
The Basic Airborne Course is an annual (normally May) school of three to four weeks in duration. It caters for approximately 160 students. Prior slots are reserved for Royal Thai Marine Corps and Royal Thai Navy personnel destined for the Reconnaissance Battalion and Royal Thai Navy UDT/SEAL Teams respectively.
The remainder of the student company will normally comprise Royal Thai Marine Corps personnel from all over the Corps and a small number of female parachute riggers who will go to the Special Warfare sectors own Parachute Maintenance Section (formed in 1982). In addition there will always be a small number of Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Border Police some of who will join the school for the water jump and some who will have completed the school in its entirety.
These Army and Police personnel will already be airborne qualified at their respective airborne schools prior to joining the Airborne School. Additional instructor and rigger support for the Recon Battalion provides the Airborne School as and when necessary. Primary Drop zones for the Airborne School are at Hat Yao and Ao Thung-Kai (water drop zone). Parachute equipment comprises the MC1-1B and T-10 reserve.
The school's equipment, training apparatus and points of instructions differ little from basic airborne training elsewhere in the Royal Thai Armed Forces with one notable exception in that airborne students actually perform a "deliberate" water jump (jump number six in the six jump school). Water jumps are a well-established and regularly practiced airborne, insertion technique virtually exclusive to the Royal Thai Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion and the Royal Thai Navy UDT/SEAL.
In its fourteenth year (1992) the Royal Thai Marine Corps Airborne School has graduated 2,898 students. Airborne training is a highly recognized leadership and character developer for the Royal Thai Marine Corps and the distinctive qualification insignia is prestigious and highly sought after.
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Ed footnote: More to come in future issues of Friendship Airborne Tours many adventures in foreign lands with foreign airborne!)
Article published in the Airborne Quarterly of the American Airborne
Association, Inc.
Mckinstry Mill Road, New Windsor, MD, 21776-7903 USA.
Phone (410) 775-7733 Fax: (410) 775-7760
Editor: Col. William E. Weber USA(Ret)
E-mail:
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