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 Commando Force
Founded6 February 2004-Present
Country India
Branch Indian Air Force
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleDirect 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
Size1,500 personnel
Garrison/HQHindan AFS, Ghaziabad
Motto(s)॥प्रहार से सुरक्षा॥(Translation: Defence by Offence)
EngagementsMONUC (Congo)
Security during Aero India 2005/2007/2011/2013
Kashmir conflict
2016 Pathankot attack
Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
Decorations1 Ashok Chakra, 4 Shaurya Chakra
Insignia
Garud Commando Force Patch

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.

History
Garud Commandos at Air Force Day 2018

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 2001 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]

In the aftermath of the Pathankot Terror Attack, Indian Air Force decided to raise ten additional squadrons of Garud commandos, comprising about 700 personnel, bringing the total strength of the force to 1780.[2][3][11]

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. Note, that the security of IAF installations like radars, airfields and other establishments in border areas is generally performed by the Air Force Police and the Defence Security Corps (DSC).[12]

Wartime duties
Garud Commandos at Exercise Vayu Shakti 2019.

During hostilities, Garuds undertake combat search and rescue, 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.[6][13][14][15]

Peacetime duties

During peacetime, apart from protecting the air bases and other vital infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Garud roles include counter terrorism,[16] anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, aid during natural calamities[17] and military tasks in the interest of the nation.[9][14]

As in the case of the failed attack on Awantipur AFS in October 2001, Garuds act as an emergency terror-response team.

Organization

Garud personnel are enlisted as Airmen within the Indian Air Force rank structure. The entire force is currently under the command of a Wing Commander rank officer. The Garud force is organized into fifteen "Flights" - a flight is roughly the equivalent of a company in an infantry battalion, and is commanded by a Flight Lieutenant. Each flight is based at various Air Force stations, where they train and provide security. The Garud Commando Force has a total present strength of over 1500 airmen.[1][9][2][3]

Training

Airmen Selection Process
A Garud Commando of IAF during a training exercise in USA, 2008.

Unlike its counterparts in the Army and Navy, candidates for Garud Commandos are not selected from volunteers of other branches. Recruitment to the Garuds is done directly through airmen selection centres via advertisements.

Candidates found eligible for the force is put through a process of rigorous physical training. Candidates have only one chance to become a Garud trainee. Once a recruit completes training and meets required standards, he is absorbed into the Commando force and is retained in this stream throughout his career.

Wherever 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 all through their career with the IAF.

The first batch of Officers for the Garuds were volunteers from the Cadets of the Ground Duty Officers course being trained at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Telangana. These officers on successful completion have been absorbed into Garud Force and will be permanently assigned to the force till the point they reach senior ranks and go for higher postings.[13]

Training
Garud Commandos para-dropping at Exercise Iron Fist at Pokhran in 2013.

Garud trainees undergo a 72-week training. The Basic Training course, which is the longest among all the Indian special forces but it also includes basic training. The total duration of training before a trainee can qualify as a fully operational Garud is around 3 years.

The initial phase is a 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.

The subsequent phase of special operations training is imparted by the Special Group of the Special Frontier Force, the army special forces and NSG. 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'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 counter-insurgency training, jungle and snow survival techniques, specialized weapon handling and advanced diving skills.[12][13]

Uniforms & Insignia

Garud airman wear the "Airman Beret Badge" on the cap. They are also parachute trained, and wear the para wings above the right pocket. The "Garud Force Patch" can be seen worn on the sleeve. The Garud Commando Badge, which was worn on the right pocket and resembles the NSG badge, is no longer in use. Instead they now have a Garud Winged Badge which is gold in colour and worn on the left chest, similar to where pilot/aircrew wings are worn.

The Garuds used to wear a black beret, instead of the traditional maroon beret of the other Indian Special Forces units, but now wear the maroon beret. They sport the operational paratroopers brevet on the right chest. The formation insignia is worn on the left shoulder. The Garuds are also entitled to wear "IAF GARUD" titles on the sleeves.

Operational deployments
A helicopter extracting Garud Commandos at Vayu Shakti 2019

Very little is known about Garud Commando operations and assignments. 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. The Garuds are now active in the region of Jammu and Kashmir carrying out counter insurgency operations and neutralising the terrorists in the region. Garud Commandos were tasked to provide security at the Yelahanka AFS during Aero India-2005, 2007, 2011[18] and 2013.[19]

2016 Pathankot attack

On January 2, 2016, the unit took a casualty during the 2016 Pathankot attack when Commando Gursewak Singh died in action.[20] All the IAF assets were declared safe.[21]

Jammu and Kashmir

Garud Commandos are actively deployed in the Lolab Valley and the Hajin area of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct counter-insurgency operations.[22] They have undertaken operations against armed militants from groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba. These operations have included tasks such as direct encounters and intelligence gathering.[23] The following are some of the known operations conducted by Garud commandos:

  • Operation Rakh Hajin:This was an operation conducted by the Garud Commandos in which six militants were killed in the Kashmir valley. The Ashok Chakra was posthumously awarded to Corporal J.P. Nirala for the same.[22]
  • In July 2018, two Garud commandos and two armed militants were killed during an intense gunfight at Hajin, Bandipora. According to military authorities, the Garud commandos were operating alongside the Special Operations Group of J&K police and the Indian Army.[24]

AFSOD deployments

In November 2019, Garuds started operating as a part of the first deployment of the Armed Forces Special Operations Division in Jammu and Kashmir.[22]

Honours
A Garud commando (middle) being awarded by Air Force chief on Air Force day 2019.

Garuds have been decorated with 1 Ashok Chakra, 4 Shaurya Chakras[25] and many Vayu Sena Medals. Garud Commando Jyoti Prakash Nirala was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously in 2018 for his actions in Jammu and Kashmir.[26][27]

Equipment
Garud Commandos with a IWI Tavor

The following firearms are reportedly used by the Garud Commando Force:

See also
  • Special Forces of India

References
  1. "Garud commandoes take first casualties after operating for 12 yrs in J&K". 12 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  2. "IAF to induct 700 more Garud commandos". India.com. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  3. "IAF plans to raise 10 more Garud squadrons - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  4. "Constitution of Commando Force" (Press release). Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 18 December 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  5. "IAF's Garuda Force to be sent to Congo". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  6. IAF to form commando force to protect airbases, Times of India, 1 October 2002.
  7. Picture of Garud demonstrations during the Passing out ceremony
  8. IAF Garud commandoes pass out, Second passing out batch of Garuds, Indian Express, December 18, 2003
  9. 'Garud' the special Commando Force joins IAF Archived 4 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine, indiainfo.com, 5 February 2004.
  10. Dhruv to star in flypast, The Tribune, 5 October 2004.
  11. "After Pathankot attack, IAF to induct 700 more Garud commandos | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  12. Garud: IAF's commando force takes off Archived 25 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Rediff.com, 6 February 2004.
  13. "Indian Air Force Special Operations Forces – Garud Commando Force". Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  14. "Brief: Garuds (IAF Special Forces)". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  15. "Meet the 7 mighty commando forces of India". The Economic Times. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  16. "President Confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Squadron Leader Rajiv Chauhan ADM/Garud". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  17. "President confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Corporal Momocha Ningthoujam, IAF". www.ifp.co.in. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  18. Garud to be deployed, The Hindu, 6 February 2007.
  19. Bengaluru Gears up to Host Aero-India 2013 (Press release) Press Information Bureau, Government of India, 4 February 2013.
  20. http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/funeral-at-house-of-gursewak-singh-that-hosted-his-wedding-in-nov/story-iSz2p2opnThtwtQ1nruF8O.html
  21. http://www.ndtv.com/cheat-sheet/punjab-air-force-base-terror-attack-2-terrorists-killed-gunbattle-on-1261437
  22. "Army, Navy, Air Force Special Forces deployed jointly to hunt terrorists in Kashmir valley". Asian News International. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via The Times of India.
  23. "'Garud' eyes new targets in Jammu and Kashmir". India Today. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  24. Irfan, Hakeem (13 July 2018). "Two IAF Garud commandos, two militants killed in ongoing encounter in Hajin of Kashmir". The Economic Times. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  25. "Shaurya Chakra Awardee List, Indian Air Force - Database". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  26. http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ashok-chakra-to-garud-commando-who-laid-down-life-in-j-k/20180125.htm
  27. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/martyred-corporal-jyoti-prakash-nirala-joins-elite-iaf-club-tomorrow/articleshow/62647401.cms
  28. https://www.ssbcrack.com/2015/12/10-assault-rifles-used-by-indian-armed-forces.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (14 July 2018). "India opens small arms manufacturing unit in MP in a joint venture with Israel". The Economic Times. Retrieved 14 April 2020. All the guns to be produced in the factory are already in service with the army’s Special Forces, Navy’s MARCOS and IAF’s Garud Commandos
  30. Bedi, Rahul (22 March 2020). "India signs USD117.8 million deal with IWI for LMGs | Jane's 360". Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  31. "How AK-203, superior to INSAS, will end forces' hunt for a reliable rifle". The Times of India. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020. Special forces like Para commandos, Marine Commandos (popularly known as Marcos), Garud Commando Force (IAF special force) and even National Security Guard (anti-terror force) also rely on German or Israel automatic rifles like Heckler and Koch MP5 sub-machine guns
  32. "Five things to know about IAF's Garud commandos". Hindustan Times. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
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