The Specialists

Younis Ahmad Kaloo

Until 2004, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had nothing comparative to the Indian Army’s Para Commandos or the Indian Navy’s MARCOS to meet its special force requirements. It was after the failed attempts of terrorists to storm two air bases in Kashmir in 2001 that a need for an elite commando force was felt to ward off any terror strike and guard the airbases across the country. The force would be imparted training in unarmed combat, commando tactics and cutting-edge technological skills.

The good news came in September 2003, when the government sanctioned the proposed commando force with the strength of 1,080 personnel and the nomenclature ‘Garud’. The initial plan was to have 2,000 personnel with ‘Tiger Force’ as the nomenclature. However, this name was discarded and ‘Garud’ was used instead. The name ‘Garud’ is derived from ‘Garuda’, a humanoid bird in Hindu mythology said to be massive with a golden body of a strong man, red wings, white face, and a crown on his head. He is also considered ‘king of the birds’, the ‘enemy of all snakes’ and the ‘vehicle of Vishnu’.

Garuds, unlike the special forces of the army and navy, are not volunteers but recruited directly through airmen selection centres via advertisements. Once a recruit completes his training, he is absorbed into the commando force and retains the stream throughout his career. This is to ensure the best men are always available to meet any challenge.

Training

The basic training of the youngest Special Fo