Malaysia and France Conclude MALFRENCH DAGGERT 2023 Combat Search and Rescue Exercise
Operators from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Special Forces (PASKAU) and the French Air and Space Force’s Commando Parachutiste de l’air 30 (Air Parachute Commando no. 30, or CPA 30) successfully concluded the seven-day MALFRENCH DAGGERT 2023 combat search and rescue exercise on October 17.
Following initial force integration training, operators from both units faced a field training exercise scenario where a pilot had ejected in “hostile” territory around Kuala Rompin, Pahang, with the joint team mobilized for a combat search and rescue mission.
The team was inserted into the area of operations by fast roping from a RMAF EC725AP helicopter of the RMAF’s No 10 Squadron, after which they crossed a reservoir using small combat boats in order to reach the first Directed Area for Recovery. They then entered “hostile” territory, going five kilometers behind enemy lines to reach the position of the downed pilot’s last transmission.
Operators were required to conduct a “high angle rescue”, descending a 300-foot tall waterfall in order to reach the pilot and provide them first aid. The team then conducted combat survival training, including the construction of rafts to navigate river rapids.
The next phase saw the team and the pilot exfiltrate “hostile” territory while evading searches and concealing any traces of their presence. The team had to shelter for the night in multiple locations, and conducted further combat survival drills at the second Directed Area for Recovery.
The team then moved to the third Directed Area for Recovery. Upon arriving at the final Selected Area for Evasion, the operators and the pilot were extracted with an Airborne Tactical Extraction Platform deployed from an EC725AP.
In the announcement of the exercise’s conclusion, the RMAF said the exercise showed Malaysian and French commitment to world peace, and demonstrated the ability of teamwork to overcome obstacles.