Indian Navy’s long pursued endeavour of establishing a dedicated base for its Special Operation Forces – MARCOS (Marine Commandos) – INS Karna was commissioned here by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.
The establishment of the first base for Indian Navy’s elite force with capability to operate in all three dimensions of warfare – air, land and sea – in the homeport of the Navy on the Eastern Seaboard marks another milestone in Indian Navy bonding with the city of Visakhapatnam, Admiral Lanba said at the solemn ceremony organised on the campus of INS Kalinga at Bheemunipatnam here on Tuesday.
Keeping with the Navy traditions the commissioning plaque of the shore establishment was unveiled by Reena Lanba, wife of Admiral Lanba, in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Lanba, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral HCS Bisht and Commanding Officer Designate INS Karna Captain Varun Singh. This was followed by hoisting of the Naval Ensign and playing of the National Anthem.
Complimenting the role of the elite force in operations undertaken by the Indian Navy such as Operation Zabardast (Sri Lanka February 1993), Operation Tasha (1990-2009), Operation Leech (1998) and Operation Sagittarius (anti-piracy operations in Malacca Strait) and Operation Rahat, among others. The Admiral exhorted the men and officers of the special forces to adopt latest technologies and tactics and be combat ready and said: “Keep your steel sharp and powder dry.”
The MARCOS East unit has progressed in terms of manpower, infrastructure, equipment holding and other resources. The complement of the unit has risen from an initial strength of two officers and 40 sailors to 25 officers and 300 sailors.
