Denjaka

On 4 November 1982, the Chief of Staff of the Navy issued a decree (No. Skep/2848/XI/1982) to form a task force called Pasukan Khusus Laut/ Pasusla or Naval Special Forces, to fulfill the need for a maritime special operations forces capable of countering terrorism and sabotage. In the initial phase, 70 personnel from the Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion and Navy frogmen were recruited to form Pasusla. The new unit was under the command of the Western Fleet commander with assistance from the commandant of the Marine Corps, while the Chief of Staff of the Navy acted as the operational commander of Pasusla. The unit was then based at Western Fleet Command Headquarters, Jakarta.[2]

Denjaka seamen during training

Upon further development of this unit, on 13 November 1984, the Chief of Staff of the Navy requested the chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces to formally form naval special forces, which was approved and through the issuance of an approval letter (No. R/39/08/9/2/SPN).[3] Detachement Jala Mangkara nama was officially used after issuence of Chief of Staff of the Navy decree No:Kep/42/VII/1997 dated 31 Juli 1997.[4]

Denjaka's primary task is to conduct anti-terrorism, anti-sabotage and other clandestine operations, maritime counter-terrorism, counter-sabotage and other special operations as directed by the chief of the armed forces. Denjaka is able to approach target by sea, underwater and vertical from the air as its qualified to be deployed as paratrooper. Aside from counter-terrorism related task, Denjaka also used to deployed for the security of VIP.

According to the Indonesian Navy organization, Denjaka is a Marine Corps task force under the Indonesian Navy, with the commandant of the Marine Corps holding responsibility for general training, while specific training falls under the responsibilities of the chief of Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency, such as: anti-terror, anti-sabotage and clandestine operations with marine aspect.[5] Operational command falls directly under the chief of the armed forces. Denjaka HQ is located on Gunung Sahari street no 67 Central Jakarta.

Denjaka organization consists of one HQ team, one technical team and four operational elements, which are:[6]

• Detachment I for counter-terrorism and counter-piracy.
• Detachment II for maritime raids and intelligence gathering missions.
• Detachment III for search and rescue.
• Detachment IV for underwater demolition.

Personnel of Denjaka are trained at Bumi Marinir Cilandak, South Jakarta and must complete 4 months training called PTAL (Penanggulangan Teror Aspek Laut).[7] They are required to have the highest operational readiness, mobility, speed, secrecy, and the highest level of entitlement. Their field of operations is in the form of ships, offshore installations and coastal areas.

• Conboy, Kenneth J. (2008). Elite: The Special Forces of Indonesia, 1950-2008. Equinox Pub. ISBN 9789793780603.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)