BACKGROUND
- 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 approximately 1080 personnel.
- The unit derives its name from Garuda, a divine bird-like creature ofHindu Mythology.
- It is an Indian Air Force unit which was unveiled in February 2004.
- It primarily protects Indian Air Force installations from terrorist attacks.
NEED
- 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 inSpecial Forces techniques, Combat Search and Rescue, Reconnaissance, Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations and Emergency in response to terror threats to airfields.
TRAINING
- Garud trainees undergo a 72-week Basic Training course, which is the longest among all the Indian special forces. The total duration of training before a trainee can qualify as a fully operational Garud is around 3 years.
INITIAL PHASE
- Three-month probationary training which filters in the promising candidates for the next phases of training.
- This phase, which usually has a high attrition (Drop-out) rate is conducted at the Garud Regimental Training Centre located at Hindon, Ghaziabad which is near to New Delhi.
ADVANCED PHASE (SPECIAL GROUP ROLE)
- The subsequent phase of special operations training is imparted by the Special Group of the Special Frontier Force, the army, NSG and the paramilitary forces.
- Those who qualify, proceed to the Parachute Training School (PTS) at Agra to complete the basic airborne phase. Trainees are trained along with paratroopers of the Indian Army.
- The remainder of the phases concentrates on niche fields like jungle and snow survival, demolition, etc.
- Garuds also train at the diving school of the Indian Navy and the Army'sCounter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS).
- The final phase of training is active operations on being attached to Special Force Units of the Indian Army, which helps the Garuds in gaining operational experience.
- After induction, the commandos also undergo advanced training, including anti-hijack and counter-insurgency training, jungle and snow survival techniques, specialized weapon handling and advanced driving skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES
MISSIONS BEHIND ENEMY LINE
- Garuds have diverse responsibilities. Besides base protection force to protect airfields and key assets in hostile environments, some advanced Garud units are trained like Army Para Commandos and the Naval MARCOS to undertake missions deep behind enemy lines.
- During hostilities, Garuds undertake combat search and rescue of downed airmen and other forces from behind enemy lines, suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD),
- radar busting, combat control, missile and munitions guidance ("lasing" of targets) and other missions in support of air operations.
- It has been suggested that they undertake an offensive role including raids on enemy air bases etc. during times of war.
- Apart from protecting air bases from sabotage and attacks by commando raids, they are also tasked to seal off weapons systems, fighter hangars, and other major systems during intrusions and conflicts.
SECRECY
- Though Garud is not a "secret" unit, very little is known about its operations and assignments, maybe because National Security Guards and Para Commandos are the primary choice of the Indian government to perform operations.
OPERATIONS
- Garuds have been deployed to Congo as a part of the UN peacekeeping contingent.
- They also operate alongside Army special forces in Jammu and Kashmir to gain operational exposure. Towards this purpose, teams from the flights are attached to army SF units.
- Garud Commandos were tasked to provide security at the Yelahanka AFS during Aero India-2005, 2007, 2011 and 2013.
- On January 2, 2016, the unit took a casualty during the 2016 Pathankot attack when Commando Gursewak Singh died in action. All the IAF assets were declared safe.
WEAPONS
- Glock 17, pistol
- IMI TAR-21 T NATO assault rifle
- IMI GTAR-21 NATO assault rifle
- IMI STAR-21 Sharpshooter NATO assault rifle
- IMI CTAR-21 NATO assault rifle
- INSAS NATO assault rifle
- AKMS assault rifle
- MPi KMS- assault rifle
- PM Md.90 assault rifle
- IMI Galil NATO semi-automatic sniper rifle
- INSAS LMG NATO light machine gun
- IMI Negev NATO light machine gun
