also highly trained in counterinsurgency. Upon assignment to the Special Forces, soldiers are made to undergo the Basic Airborne Course. They, later-on, undergo the Special Forces Operations Course – an eight-month course that equips each SF soldier in the basics of Special Forces and unconventional warfare operations. Each member of the SF Regiment may opt to undergo specialty courses as well after finishing the Special Forces basic course. These include, but is not limited to, training in advanced hand-to-hand combat, advanced land navigation for control of airborne operations, advanced parachuting, advanced reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, anti-guerrilla, combat diving, combat search and rescue, counterterrorism, coastal patrolling, combat and patrolling techniques in urban areas, defusing and disposal of bombs, fast tactical shooting, forward air control, gathering intelligence, hostage rescue, irregular warfare operations, light and heavy weapons, marksmanship, medical evacuation, military technology, NBCR on operations in contaminated environments, parachute rigger, psychological operations (PSYOPS), riverine warfare operations, tactical emergency medical, tracking tactics, use of tactical vehicles, VBSS operation, as well as VIP security training in preparation for reassignment with the Presidential Security Group. The unit has trained with the Green Berets and the Australian SASR. References Bibliography The Special Forces School, Philippine Army Special Forces Operations Manual PAM 3-071, 2008, SFR(A). Special forces of the Philippines Airborne units and formations Regiments of the Philippines Military special forces regiments Military counterterrorist organizations