IAF Garud Commando Force

2004 and has a strength of approximately 2000 personnel. The unit derives its name from Garuda, a divine bird-like creature of Hindu Mythology, but more commonly the word for eagle in Sanskrit. 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.Presently, the GARUDs are deployed in Congo as part of the UN peace keeping operations.

#History

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 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.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,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.The Garuds were first seen publicly during the Air Force Day celebrations at New Delhi on 8 October 2004.

#Responsibilities

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.

#Wartime duties

During peace time, apart from protecting the air bases and other vital infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Garud roles include counter terrorism, anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, aid during natural calamities and military tasks in the interest of the nation.

#Training

Garud trainees undergo a 72 week Basic Training course, which is the longest among all the Indian special forces but it also includes basic training to become airmen as they are inducted directly from civilian life. The Training regime to qualify as a Garud is extremely rigorous and lengthy. The initial phase is a three month probationary training which filters out 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, near New Delhi. 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. 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's Counter 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. A few officers have also been trained in foreign countries like USA.

#Officer Selection:

The first batch of Officers for the Garuds were volunteers from the Cadets of theGround Duty Officers Course being trained at the Air Force Academy Dundigal. These officers on sucessful completion had been absorbed into the Garud Force and will be permanently assigned to the force till the point they reach senior ranks and go for higher postings.

#Airmen Selection Process:

Unlike its counterparts in the Army and Navy, the selection of the Garuds is not done among volunteers from other branches. Recruitment to the Garuds is done directly through airmen selection centers through advertisements. Candidates found eligible for the force are put through a process of rigorous physical training. There are no second chances to the potential Garud recruit. Either they have it in them or they dont. Those selected for training will have to make the grade during the commando training, otherwise they would find themselves back on civvy street. Once a recruit completes training and meets the tough physical standards, he is absorbed into the Commando force and is retained in this stream throughout his stint in the IAF. Whereever he is posted in the IAF, he will be part of a Garud Unit. This approach ensures that the Commando Force retains its highly trained men for thecomplete duration of their career with the IAF.

#Equipment

Small Arms used by Garuds:

1.Glock 17 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol
2.Browning FN-35 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol
3. Heckler & Koch MP5 9mm Sub-machine Gun
4.INSAS 5.56mm NATO Assault Rifle
5.Tavor 5.56mm NATO Assault Rifle
6.AK-47 and variants
7. M4 Carbine and related variants