Garud commando force

The Garud Commando Force is the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force. It was formed in September 2004 and has a current strength of over 1500 personnel.^[1][2][3] The unit derives its name from Garuda, a divine bird-like creature in Hinduism.

Garud is tasked with the protection of critical Air Force bases and installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities.^[4] Presently, Garuds are deployed in Congo^[5] as part of the UN peace keeping operations.


       

After attempts by terrorists to attack two major air bases in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001, Indian Air Force commanders felt the need for a specialized force to protect these critical elements and to have a dedicated Commando Force trained in Special Forces techniques, Combat Search and Rescue, Reconnaissance, Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations and Emergency in response to terror-threats to airfields.

While the Army might have provided some Special forces units to the Air Force, its units were always subject to being posted out on rotation to other areas as per the Army's requirements. It was felt that the specialized training the air force would have provided such units would have to be repeated again and again for the replacement units.

The initial plans mooted in October 2002 called for a specialized force with 2000 commandos. The group was originally called "Tiger Force", but was later renamed as "Garud Force".^[6]

In order to address the need for a dedicated force, in September 2003, the Government of India authorized a 1080 strong force to be raised and trained on the lines of the Para commandos of the army and MARCOS of the Indian Navy,^[4] with the mandate of performing niche, Air Force specific operational tasks.

Soon after, the first batch of 100 volunteers from the IAF No.1 Airmen Training Center at Belgaum, Karnataka were earmarked to undergo Garud Training at Gurgaon. The Garuds were first unveiled on 6 February 2004, when the first batch of 62 "Air Commandos" passed out of training in New Delhi.^[7][8][9] The Garuds were first seen publicly during the Air Force Day celebrations at New Delhi on 8 October 2004.^[10]

Garud Commando(Special forces)
Founded	6 February 2004-Present
Country	India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Type	Special Forces
Role	Direct Action Airfield Seizure Special Reconnaissance Airborne Operations Air Assault Unconventional Warfare Counter Terrorism Foreign Internal Defence Special Operations Combat Search and Rescue COIN Special operations
Size	Classified (estimated at over 1500 personnel)
Headquarters	New Delhi
Motto(s)	॥प्रहार से सुरक्षा॥(Translation: Defence by Offence)
Engagements	MONUC (Congo) Security during Aero India 2005/2007/2011/2013 Kashmir conflict 2016 Pathankot attack Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
Decorations	1 Ashok Chakra, 4 Shaurya Chakra
Insignia
Garud Commando Force Patch

                         

                        Marcos commando

MARCOS, or Marine Commandos, is the special forces unit of the Indian Navy responsible for conducting special operations.^[4]

Officially called the Marine Commando Force (MCF), MARCOS was raised in February 1987 as the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF). MARCOS are capable of operating in all types of environments; at sea, through air and on land.^[4][5] The force has gradually acquired experience and an international reputation for professionalism over the three decades it has been in existence.^[4] The MARCOS regularly undertake specialised maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, a 65 square kilometre freshwater lake, and conduct counter-insurgency operations in the region.^[6][5]MARCOS are reputedly called the ‘Dadhiwala Fauj’ (bearded army) by militants in Kashmir, owing to their bearded disguise.^[1][7]

MARCOS units are a part of the tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division.^[8]

                    

                 The Indian Armed Forces wanted to establish an amphibious warfare and maritime special operations force. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Indian Navy supported the landing operations against the Pakistani base of Cox's Bazar, Operation Jackpot, landing an army brigade using Polnochny class landing ships without significant resistance. Before this operation, Indian navy divers provided basic training in underwater demolition to Bengali insurgents. However, this did not yield expected results. Later, different Indian army units were assigned amphibious roles in exercises. In 1983, the 340th Army Independent Brigade based at Trivandrum, was converted to an amphibious assault unit.^[9] Since then, the navy has conducted various exercises to demonstrate its amphibious abilities, notably the Andaman Islands in 1984, and Goa in 1986. These assault operations included both airborne and amphibious forces. In April 1986, the Indian Navy started planning for a maritime special force which could conduct amphibious reconnaissance, raids and counter-terrorist operations.^[10]

The force was initially trained by the other special forces of the country, including those under the Home Ministry and the Army. Three officers were then sent to undergo a hard training schedule with US Navy SEALs and further training was then acquired through exchanges with the British Special Air Service. The officers formed the first nucleus of the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF) which was officially established in February 1987. The first batch of marine commandos qualified in February 1987. It was later renamed as the Marine Commando Force (MCF) in 1991.^[9]

             

MARCOS
Insignia of MARCOS
Active	1987 – present (32 years, 9 months)
Country	India
Allegiance	Republic of India
Branch	Indian Navy
Type	Special Operations Forces/Marines
Role	Primary tasks:[1] Amphibious operations Amphibious reconnaissance Direct action Counter-terrorist Hostage rescue
Regimental Centre	Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Kochi and Port Blair.
Nickname(s)	Magarmach (Crocodiles),[2] Dadhiwala Fauj (bearded army)[1]
Motto(s)	"The Few, The Fearless"[3][1]
Anniversaries	14 February.
Engagements	Operation Cactus, Operation Leech, Operation Pawan, Kargil War, Operation Black Tornado, Operation Cyclone, Counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir