17th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment

On 1 August 1970, the Ministry of Defense established the 17 RAMD as an infantry company in Kementah Camp, Kuala Lumpur as part of Operation Pembena. The pioneer team consists of only one officer and ten other ranks. Captain H.T Sharif Abdul Gaffur was tasked with expanding the unit to operational size. Captain Sharif was able to increase the unit's strength to three officers and 57 other ranks by 9 November 1970, and the unit was transferred to Majidee Camp in Johor Bahru. The unit was upgraded to battalion size on 23 November 1970, and Lieutenant Colonel Adam Abu Bakar was appointed as the first Commander of 17 RAMD. On 23 November 1970, the 17th RAMD became operational.[1][2]

In November 1982, 17 RAMD were assigned to the 7th Infantry Brigade and relocated to Kukusan Camp in Tawau to serve under the Army East Field Command. Four years later, the 17 RAMD was reassigned to Army West Field Command and transferred to the 1st Infantry Brigade. The garrison was also relocated to Terendak Camp in Malacca.[1][2]

17 RAMD were assigned to the MALBATT United Nations Transition Assistance Group peacekeeping mission in Namibia in the 1988, second involvement after a few years focus against communist insurgency.

17 RAMD and the 9th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (9 RAMD) were transferred under the command of the 10th Strategic Brigade in 1990, and both battalions were trained as airborne infantry at the Special Warfare Training Centre. The unit was officially renamed the 17th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment in 1992. On 1 January 1994, the 17 RAMD (Para) became a fully operational airborne unit.[1][2]

The Malaysian Army's top brass intends to combine all airborne units into a single combat force. The 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD (Para)), 9 RAMD (Para), and 17 RAMD (Para) were merged into a single airborne unit in 1993 as its airborne infantry element. On 10 October 1994, following Exercise Halilintar, then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad officially introduced the unit as the Rapid Deployment Force, and the 10th Strategic Brigade was renamed the 10th Parachute Brigade. The 10th Parachute Brigade is becoming an independent combat force reporting directly to the Chief of the Army.[1]

Terendak Camp is home to 17 RAMD (Para). The unit is made up of six paratrooper companies and one family welfare organisation.[1]