The image of a historical compilation of Terumbu Layang-Layang (also known as Swallow Reef), showcasing its transformation from a tiny, desolate coral reef into a strategic Malaysian naval station and world-class diving destination.
The Swallow Reef is an oceani, atoll of the Spratly Islands administered by Malaysia.
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has maintained a presence on the reef since 1983 as the ownership is disputed, and it is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Vietnam. The Philippines does not lay claim to Swallow Reef.
Lies some 300 km north-west of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, it is about 7 km long and 2 km wide with a central lagoon.
The photos document the result of Ops Terumbu, a mission initiated by the Malaysian government in the early 1980s to assert sovereignty over the Spratly Islands.
Historical Timeline
- 1974: In January 1974, violent military conflict erupted between China and Vietnam over the Paracel Islands cluster. This served as a major wake-up call for Malaysia.
- 20 September 1979: Malaysia published a map claiming the reef as part of its Continental Shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Malaysian Parliament officially declared and finalised the Malaysia's EEZ.
- 1980: On June 21, a commemorative plaque (seen in the top-left and bottom-left photos) was erected by Malaysian special forces (the GGK) to mark the territory.Malaysia began building permanent monuments on targeted reef to cement ownership such as Laksamana Reef, Semarang Reef,Amboyna Island, Terumbu Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef), Mantanani Reef, Terumbu Ubi etc.
- 31 January 1980: The Malaysian Army Engineers launched the Ops Tugu, led by Lt.Col. Choy Siew Pun and executed on-site by the 3rd Engineer Squadron (and later the 91st Rejimen Bina and 8th Engineer Squadron), the engineers laid heavy foundations directly onto the unstable coral reef.Their first job was assembling a wooden board scaffolding platform over the reef to act as a stable helipad for the Nuri.
- 1983 (The Turning Point): In May, 18 members of PASKAL (Royal Malaysian Navy Special Forces) led by Lt.Johari Ramzan were deployed to the reef via KD Mutiara. Back then, there was no solid land; the soldiers lived in temporary structures on the reef, often battling rising tides and harsh weather. Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir visited and stayed overnight on this module in September 1983.
- 1980s–1990s: Massive land reclamation transformed the reef into a 35-hectare island. Station Lima was built, along with an airstrip to allow C-130 Hercules and CN-235 aircraft to land.
- 1989: The government decided to open the island to tourism, leading to the creation of the Layang-Layang Island Resort, a 3 star-resort with 86 rooms and shares the look of a Borneo Longhouse.
The Malaysian Army Engineers and the PASKAL at Swallow Reef
Lt.Col. Choy Siew Pun
Why it’s famous today
Beyond its military importance, Swallow Reef is globally renowned as one of the "Top 10 Dive Sites in the World." Because the island drops off into a 2,000-meter deep trench, it is a hotspot for Hammerhead Sharks, manta rays, and massive schools of barracuda.
The presence of the Malaysian Navy and the civilian resort side-by-side makes it one of the most unique "occupied" reefs in the South China Sea.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force deployed its fleet of Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri Helicopters. It served as the essential logistical lifeblood, conducting heavy-lift supply runs and flying troops and construction components directly onto the reef before proper landing areas existed.
KD RAJA JAROM (A1502)
The images of a detailed look at Ops Terumbu, the historic 1980s mission by the Malaysian Armed Forces to secure and develop Terumbu Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef).
The image, specifically, highlights the critical logistical role played by the 32nd Sealift Squadron and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in this remote maritime operation.
The Role of KD Raja Jarom
The photos prominently feature the KD Raja Jarom (A1502), a landing ship tank (LST) that was a cornerstone of the 32nd Sealift Squadron.
Logistical Backbone: KD Raja Jarom was instrumental in delivering heavy construction equipment and building materials to the reef, which was essential for the land reclamation that eventually created a stable island.
Mobile Helipad: The ship’s large deck (visible in the top-left and bottom-right of your second image) served as a vital offshore landing zone, allowing helicopters to shuttle personnel and supplies to the reef before a permanent airstrip was built.
Vessel History: Originally the USS Sedgewick County, this ship was a veteran of WWII and the Vietnam War before being commissioned into the Royal Malaysian Navy in 1977.
The "Iron Bird" of Ops Terumbu
The helicopter featured in the image is the Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri.
- Air Mobility: During the early stages of Ops Terumbu in 1982, these "Nuri's" provided the primary means of rapid transport between the mainland and the task force at sea.
- Challenging Conditions: Pilots often had to land on the moving decks of ships like the KD Raja Jarom or directly onto the precarious, uneven surface of the reef during low tide.
- Legacy: Known as the "Iron Bird," the Nuri served Malaysia for over 50 years, playing a key role in both national security missions like this and humanitarian search-and-rescue operations.
Strategic Development
The images show the progression from a simple naval presence to a more permanent station.
- First Occupation: The mission began with RMN personnel landing on May 5, 1983.
- Station Lima: The permanent naval station, "Lima," was officially established on April 17, 1984.
- Sovereignty: By exercising "exclusive and effective control," Malaysia successfully established its jurisdiction over what is now its most valuable strategic asset in the South China Sea.
The KD Raja Jarom (A1502) was a cornerstone of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) logistical power during the 1980s. Originally built for the U.S. Navy during WWII as an LST-542 class tank landing ship, it was specifically designed to beach itself, offload heavy armor directly onto shores, and cross oceans.
General Specifications
Propulsion & Power
- Main Engines: 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines.
- Propulsion: 2 shafts with twin rudders (designed for high maneuverability during beaching).
- Power Output: 1,700 brake horsepower (bhp).
Armament & Capacity
While its primary role was logistics, it was armed for self-defense and supporting amphibious landings:
- Guns: 8 × Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns (2 twin mounts, 4 single).
- Crew: Approximately 7 officers and 204 enlisted personnel.
- Cargo Capacity: It could carry roughly 2,100 tons of vehicles and supplies. The iconic "bow doors" allowed tanks and trucks to drive directly off the ship via a ramp.
- Aviation: Features a large rear deck that served as a landing platform for helicopters like the Sikorsky Nuri, which was crucial for the Swallow Reef mission.
Service History
- Origins: Launched in 1945 as USS Sedgwick County (LST-1123). It earned battle stars in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
- Malaysian Service: Purchased by Malaysia in 1976 and commissioned in 1977.
- Key Mission: Its most famous contribution was Ops Terumbu, where it transported the massive amounts of sand, stone, and heavy machinery needed to reclaim land at Swallow Reef.
- Decommissioned: Retired from active service on September 9, 1999, after 22 years with the RMN.
32ND SEALIFT SQUADRON
During the 1980s, the 32nd Sealift Squadron was the "heavy lifter" of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), playing a definitive role in Malaysia’s territorial expansion and maritime logistics.
The squadron was primarily composed of three ex-US Navy Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs). These vessels were the workhorses behind Ops Terumbu, the mission to occupy and build up Swallow Reef (Terumbu Layang-Layang) and other offshore stations.
The Vessels of the 32nd Sealift Squadron
The squadron operated three WWII-era ships that were repurposed for modern Malaysian strategic needs:
Strategic Importance in the 1980s
The 32nd Sealift Squadron was more than just a transport unit; it was a tool of sovereignty.
- Ops Terumbu (1983): The squadron provided the "mobile base" for the early occupation of Swallow Reef. Since the reef had no dry land, ships like KD Raja Jarom stayed on-station to provide a landing platform for Nuri helicopters, a command center for officers, and a dormitory for the PASKAL divers.
- Land Reclamation: These ships carried thousands of tons of rock, sand, and machinery. Their ability to "beach" (drive directly onto the reef at high tide and sit on the sand at low tide) allowed them to offload bulldozers and cranes where no port existed.
- Inter-Territorial Logistics: During the 80s, they were the primary way the Malaysian Armed Forces moved heavy equipment (tanks, trucks, and artillery) between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah/Sarawak.
Complementary Support: The "Mother Ships"
While the 32nd Squadron handled the heavy beaching operations, they often worked alongside the Indera Sakti-class Multi-Purpose Command and Support Ships, which were also commissioned in the early 80s:
- KD Sri Indera Sakti (A1503) - Commissioned 1980.
- KD Mahawangsa (A1504) - Commissioned 1983.
These ships provided more advanced command-and-control and medical facilities, acting as the "brains" while the 32nd Squadron LSTs acted as the "brawn."
Fun Fact: The sailors of the 32nd Sealift Squadron often called these ships "The Old Ladies" because they were already nearly 40 years old when they were used for the Swallow Reef missions. Despite their age, they were considered incredibly reliable and virtually unsinkable due to their rugged WWII construction.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Updated : 7 June 2026: 3.59 a.m
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