BY : REDIFF

Exhibiting superiority of tact and technique, Indian Air Force's special force commandos 'The Garuds' neutralised an enemy radar site, captured an air field and carried out combat search and rescue operations in the Nevada desert of the US, during Exercise Red Flag there.

Capturing the enemy airfield (Red Forces), simulated at about 60 km from the border and considered strategically important for friendly forces, the 'Garuds' overcame the medium threat environment and adequate defensive measures, neutralised the enemy radar site and captured the airfield within the stipulated two hours based on intelligence, which identified the location of the airfield in a desert terrain.

Elaborating, Defence sources said 'Garud' mission commander Flight Lieutenant Jagvinder Singh, after acquiring all the necessary intelligence inputs, including those from satellite and Unmanned Aeriel Vehicle, worked out an operational plan, which included heliborne insertion and exfilteration of the force, and accomplished the mission using assault rifles as primary weapons, and pistols and combat knives as secondary weapons, supported by LMGs, navigation and communication equipment and All Terrain Vehicles.

IAF's Garud Flight, established in 2005 with 60 commandos, was formed after the Kargil [Images] conflict and terrorist attacks on IAF airfields in insurgency-affected areas.

Garuds commandoes are trained to protect airfields from enemy and terrorist attacks, carry out hostage rescue operations and 'radar busting' besides carrying out combat search and rescue missions for securing back pilots from hostile territory.