Budiey
This September 2, HISTORY (Astro Channel 555) presents a brand news series titled Special Forces. Every day across the world Special Forces teams are thrust in harms way. These groups of elite warriors are called upon to perform their countries toughest and most dangerous missions.
They are skilled in infiltrating enemy lines to spy, kill or capture. Trained in law enforcement, hostage resolutions and anti-terrorist operations. Now this series lifts the lid on four of Asia’s elite special op’s units for the first time, it’s history, special weapons and tactics. We follow new recruits as they battle their way through some of the hardest special forces training in the world and find out what it takes to be the best of the best.
The first episode feature Malaysian Army’s Special Forces Unit – Grup Gerak Khas. The GGK gained fame and recognition worldwide after successfully beating communist rebels in the 1960s in battles fought deep in the Malaysian rain forests.
Toughened by one of the world’s most difficult training regimes, GGK commandos are trained to infiltrate enemy held territory via air, sea or land. They are experts in unconventional warfare, including sabotage, counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering. But what makes them stand out is their ability to fight in some of the world’s most extreme jungles.
We follow a 13-week selection course from hell. To earn the coveted Green Beret, recruits must go through three months relentless physical and psychological torture that will push them to their absolute limits and break all but the best.
SPECIAL FORCES
Premieres 2 September, Every Sunday, 10pm
With the participation of Media Development Authority of Singapore
Every day across the world Special Forces teams are thrust in harms way. These groups of elite warriors are called upon to perform their countries toughest and most dangerous missions. They are skilled in infiltrating enemy lines to spy, kill or capture. Trained in law enforcement, hostage resolutions and anti-terrorist operations. Now this series lifts the lid on four of Asia’s elite special op’s units for the first time, it’s history, special weapons and tactics. We follow new recruits as they battle their way through some of the hardest special forces training in the world and find out what it takes to be the best of the best.
EPISODIC GUIDE
EPISODE 1: Malaysia GGK
Premieres 2 September, Sunday, 10pm
Before large forces hit the combat zone, the Malaysian Army’s Special Forces unit, Grup Gerak Khas are the first men on the ground behind enemy lines.
The GGK gained fame and recognition worldwide after successfully beating communist rebels in the 1960s in battles fought deep in the Malaysian rain forests.
Toughened by one of the world’s most difficult training regimes, GGK commandos are trained to infiltrate enemy held territory via air, sea or land. They are experts in unconventional warfare, including sabotage, counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering. But what makes them stand out is their ability to fight in some of the world’s most extreme jungles.
We follow a 13-week selection course from hell. To earn the coveted Green Beret, recruits must go through three months relentless physical and psychological torture that will push them to their absolute limits and break all but the best.
Phase 1:
At the Special Warfare Training Centre in Melaka, recruits undergo a series of intense physical tests designed to separate the strong from the weak. An 11.2 km run carrying full combat load in 80 minutes, a timed obstacle course designed to test balance, confidence and teamwork, and their last challenge: the dreaded Tarzan assault course towering 10 meters above ground.
Phase 2:
Recruits undergo a 160km forced march that will last 3 days. It’s the equivalent of doing 4 marathons back to back, with little food and even less rest. They battle uneven terrain, extreme heat and severe dehydration.
Phase 3:
Remaining recruits are dropped deep into Malaysia’s impenetrable jungle swamplands with nothing but a machete to survive. They have to learn three essential tasks – to find food, water and build a shelter. But in this environment, nothing is easy.
Final Phase:
Recruits must apply everything they have learnt to successfully execute their final test – known by the commandos as Dark Water. Their mission: to destroy a heavily guarded communications tower, evade capture and escape to a friendly camp. Recruits who are caught face the hardest lesson of their lives. Only those who make it to the end of the next four days will pass the selection course and receive the coveted Green Beret.
Short synopsis:
Before large forces hit the combat zone, the Malaysian Army’s Special Forces unit, Grup Gerak Khas are the first men on the ground behind enemy lines.
The GGK gained fame and recognition worldwide after successfully beating communist rebels in the 1960s in battles fought deep in the Malaysian rain forests. Toughened by one of the world’s most difficult training regimes, GGK commandos are experts in unconventional warfare, including sabotage, counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering. To earn the coveted Green Beret, recruits must go through three months relentless physical and psychological torture that will push them to their absolute limits and break all but the best.
Encore details:
• 4 September, Monday, 10pm
• 7 September, Friday, 11pm
• 9 September, Sunday, 11pm
EPISODE 2: Philippine Marine Force Recon
Premieres 9 September, Sunday, 10pm
When high-risk special ops missions need small elite teams for infiltration and assault, the Philippine Marine Corps call in their Force Reconnaissance Battalion. It is a rapid-deployment strike force trained in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare.
Since their inception in 1995, the Force Reconnaissance Battalion has become assets in the country’s fight against insurgency, playing key roles in major battles such as the take down of Camp Abubakar, a terrorist stronghold, and the capture of suspected insurgency leader, Khadaffy Janjalani.
To become one of these amphibious and airborne warriors, the hardiest of men must undergo weeks of hell on land, sea and air.
We follow the members of the Marine Basic Airborne Class as they go through a 5-week selection course to train for the jump of a lifetime. Receiving the Airborne’s silver wings is a requirement to become fully-fledged Force Recon.
Week 1-2: Learning the basics, the Parachute Landing Fall
The students begin to grasp how difficult and taxing this condensed course is going to be.
Week 3: Specialist Airborne Training
The students learn how to prepare for malfunctions during the jump. They must survive the exhausting Wind Drag Recovery exercise.
Week 4: Towering
The students face their biggest fear: a 60-ft tower. Hesitation here means they will be dropped from the course.
Week 5: The Final Jump
The students will now be placing all they have learned into this definitive moment. The recruits will have to use everything they’ve learned as they jump out of an aircraft at 1500 feet. A mistake here not only means being dropped from the course, but it could mean injury or even death.
We follow the members of a Force Recon team and discover the skills that make them so effective in operations. Through actual combat scenarios; we see how they use essential skills like long range patrolling, sniping and Pekiti Tersia Kali for survival and assault. We learn about the all important water phase, the stage where in most people fail. Their bodies will be pushed to the limits of human endurance in the tests for drown proofing and the dreaded 5 mile combat swim.
Success here means they keep the honor of being one of just eight hundred Marines who have earned the right to be called Force Recon.
Short Synopsis:
When high-risk special ops missions need small elite teams for infiltration and assault, the Philippine Marine Corps call in their Force Reconnaissance Battalion. It is a rapid-deployment strike force trained in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare. Ever since their inception in 1995, the Force Reconnaissance Battalion has become key assets in the country’s fight against insurgency. To earn the coveted Force Recon badge, the hardiest of men must undergo weeks of physical and psychological hell on land, sea and air. Only the brave will remain standing to join the ranks of this special breed of warriors.
Encore details:
• 11 September, Tuesday, 10pm
• 16 September, Sunday, 11pm
• 30 September, Sunday, 10pm
EPISODE 3: Thai Marine Recon
Premieres 16 September, Sunday, 10pm
Thailand’s Marine Recon training is one of the toughest in the world. This elite unit specialises in clearing the path for large amphibious landings and infiltrate behind enemy lines by sea, land and air. Small teams then gather intelligence or strike at enemy positions.
This special unit was created in 1962, during a period of communist insurgecy and conflict spreading across Southeast Asia. They faught conflicts on Thailand’s borders and deep jungles for nearly 20 years.
Today these men are trained to operate in the harshest conditions on both land and sea. But to earn the Marine recon badge they first have to survive three months of brutal training designed in three stages.
Stage 1:
Camp Based Phase is nicknamed “Hercules Phase.” The volunteers are put through days of non-stop physical and mental training at the Marine Base in the coastal town of Sattahip. This stage is designed to find the weakest men and lose them. Week five ends with the exhausting 60-hour challenge carrying huge weights without sleep and with little food. The men navigate their way 100km across country in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius. Over 30% of recruits will be lost in this first stage. Those that survive move to an even tougher challenge.
Stage 2:
Sea Phase is nicknamed “Alligator Phase” the amphibious training stage. This part of training has some deadly consequences. The training is so extreme that if accidents happen, people can drown. The last two courses saw recruits die. Training begins on a high with recruits jumping 10 feet from a speeding helicopter into sea. Next is the deadly 3-mile night swimming test. In rough seas these men will need to draw on their mental and physical strength to swim from the open ocean to shore. The pain continues, next the men have to carry and paddle a 100kg rubber dinghy for 9 hours non-stop, without teamwork they won’t succeed.
Stage 3:
Jungle Phase is nicknamed “Leopard Phase.” Recruits face off with a venomous cobra in the jungle survival training before honing their patrolling skills climaxing with a live firing exercise using real bullets, grenades and real explosives. From here it’s onto their final and toughest challenge. A 150 km trek and paddle with the ubiquitous rubber dinghy. If they pass the finish line, they earn their badges and can proudly be called Marine Recon.
Short Synopsis:
Thailand’s Marine Recon training is one of the toughest in the world. This elite unit specialises in clearing the path for large amphibious landings. In small teams they head behind enemy lines to get intelligence or strike at enemy positions. This special unit was created in 1962, during a period of communist insurgecy and conflict spreading across Southeast Asia. They faught conflicts on Thailand’s borders and deep jungles for nearly 20 years. Today these men are trained to operate in the harshest conditions on sea, land and air. Three months Recon training pushes volunteers to their physical and mental limits. From drinking cobra blood in jungle surivival to 100km forced marches and the deadly night swimming test. We reveal what pushes men to go beyond their limits and what it takes to make the grade of the Thai Marine Recon.
Encore details:
• 18 September, Tuesday, 10pm
• 23 September, Sunday, 11pm
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Key Personnel
Chris Humphrey, Executive Producer, AETN All Asia Networks
Chris Humphrey is a senior regional producer for AETN ALL ASIA NETWORKS based in Singapore. After working for a BBC magazine in London, Chris taught English and music to secondary school students in and around his home town of Cambridge UK. It was after working as a travel writer that Chris came to Singapore in 1998 and set up his own production company. He has produced for Discovery Channel and National Geographic Channel before joining AETN All Asia Networks as Executive Producer in 2008, following 10 years of television production. Chris is currently responsible for the supervision – from pitch to delivery – of all local commissions, co-productions and development of new productions coming out of South East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Since 2008 Chris has overseen more than a 100 hours of original content across the Network’s three brands: History, Bio and Crime & Investigation Networks.
Dean Johnson, Executive Producer, Infocus Asia
Dean Johnson is a British born award-winning filmmaker and part of the team in the groundbreaking new BBC Series Planet Earth, filming in Peru’s Mountains at 4400 meters above sea level. He produced the Revealed series for Discovery and won primetime ratings in the US as Series Producer and Executive Producer for National Geographic’s successful Monster Fish series. His film Afghan ER won three first prizes at the Asian TV Awards and his documentaries have won awards worldwide from the Tokyo Film Festival, AIB Media Excellence Awards in the UK and the International Wildlife Film Festival in Montana. Johno recently directed Taiwan’s Public Television Service feature length documentary A Year in the Clouds following the people of Smangus, one of the last surviving indigenous tribes in Taiwan. The 90 min feature has won several awards including the prestigious Peabody Award. Johno is currently working on a slate of programs for History Channel including a 4-part series on the elite military special forces in Asia.
Camille Faylona, Producer/Director, Infocus Asia
Camille Faylona has worked on programmes for all the major channels including Discovery Channel, National Geographic, History Channel, Animal Planet and MTV. In 2011 she produced the Jackie Chan episode for Discovery China’s Portraits China series, celebrating China’s modern heros; and in the same year she was nominated for Best Bio & History Documentary at the 17th Shanghai TV Festival for If Food Runs Out, a documentary she produced for Channel NewsAsia about the global crisis of food supply. Camille has produced and series produced for National Geographic’s hugely successful Monster Fish series and is currently producing an episode for History Channel on the elite military special forces in Asia.
Indra Nienhaus, Producer/Director, Infocus Asia
Indra Nienhaus comes from a mixed German-Indonesian heritage and was raised in Germany and across Southeast Asia. She has produced documentary programmes for the likes of Discovery Channel, “How Do They Do It” and “How Stuff Works”, CNBC’s “Responsible Business TV” series, and the BBC’s “This World”. In 2010 Indra produced and directed the cutting edge documentary series “Design 2050” for Channel NewsAsia which saw her shoot in Asia, the UK and Europe. She also worked on one of Singapore’s first 3D long-form documentaries showcasing the economic powerhouses in Asia. This saw her working in challenging conditions and with new technology across 3 cities – Shanghai, Tokyo and Singapore. The 1-hour programme was screened to Government Ministers from around Asia at the 2011 Broadcast Asia Expo. It also aired on Channel NewsAsia in 2011.
Indra was also the Series Associate Producer for National Geographic’s hugely successful “Monster Fish” series covering Laos, Thailand, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, and she is currently directing a National Geographic documentary about the relocation of two pandas from Sichuan to the Singapore Zoo. More recently Indra has just completed production on an episode covering Malaysia’s top commandos for the upcoming series “Special Forces” on the History Channel.
Jatuporn Athasopa, Producer/Director, Infocus Asia
Jatuporn Athasopa a Thai national with degrees in media and film studies. She is a Producer/Director and has worked on blue-chip documentaries for History Channel, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC and other international broadcasters. Jatuporn worked on all three series of the highly rated National Geographic’s Monster Fish, following Dr Zeb Hogan to the remote areas in Laos, Thailand and Australia, in search of the world’s largest fish and trying to protect them. She also produced and directed one of the first 3D documentaries, 24-Hour Asia, showcasing cities in Asia for Channel News Asia. Her other works include Special Forces Thai Marine Recon for History Channel, Amazing Race Asia for AXN, Inside Burma’s Uprising for BBC and How Do They Do It for Discovery Channel, to name but a few. She is currently producing a crime show for Crime & Investigation Network.
PRODUCTION PROFILE
About HISTORY™
HISTORY™ is the leading destinations for revealing, award-winning original non-fiction series and event specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of genres ranging from real-life characters who bring history to life everyday, to military history, natural history, contemporary history, technology and science, as well as archaeology and pop culture. Among the network’s programme offerings are hit series such as Kings of Restoration, The Universe, Hidden Cities, Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars and Top Shot, as well as acclaimed specials including America: The Story of the US, The History of the World in 2 hours, The Maguindanao Massacre, The Malayan Emergency, WWII Lost Films and 102 Minutes That Changed America. For more information, visit www.historyasia.com
About Infocus Asia Pte Ltd
Infocus Asia Pte Ltd is a multi award-winning production company specialising in current affairs and long-form factual entertainment for an international market. With offices in China, Singapore and Thailand, we have a strong reputation for providing high quality content and crewing facilities for international clients. Infocus Asia collaborates with respected international broadcasters including the BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, History Channel, Animal Planet, Channel 4, Channel NewsAsia and CNN amongst others.
