The Indian Navy raised the Marine Commando Force (MCF) as a Special Forces unit in 1987. Modelled after the US Navy Seals and the British Special Forces, it was initially christened as Indian Marine Special Forces and later re-christened as Marine Commando Force (MCF) but are more familiarly called the MARCOS.

Believed to be a voluntary force where people from the naval fraternity join it out of interest, it is also considered to be the most sophisticated and elite commando force in the country that can operate on land, sea and air. Sources informed that MCF is not only regarded as one among the best Special Forces in the world but are dreaded both by the enemy circles and insurgents.

The two-year training is said to be so rigorous that many fallout mid way. Apart from enhancing physical endurance, they are taught all forms of warfare and counter insurgency operation.

They are trained along with the Indian Special Forces to operate in various environments and terrains like beach, urban, riverines and jungles. They are adept both in physical combat and small arms warfare. The commandos also undergo a special training in diving and para jumps. The training also deals with counter-terrorist operations, such as protecting oil platforms, anti-hijacking and piracy operations. A stint in high altitude warfare is also included in the training schedule.

The elite force of the navy thrilled the crowd with their speed, precision, courage, aggression and accuracy. Apart from the beach assault, the commandos slithered down the choppers on to a moving ship to simulate an anti-hijack operation and remotely blasted a dummy oilrig. The crowd cheered as the rig went up in flames and thick black smoke billowed skywards.

After the softening of the beach by the MCF team, the field was left open for the commandos form the army to show their skills. In battle fatigues, they made their way to the beach in LCMs (landing craft mechanised) tagging behind two menacing BMPs (infantry fighting vehicles). Amidst the shouting of their regimental battle cry like ‘Veer Madrasi, adi - kollu, adi - kollu…’ and ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’, the commandos exhibited a swift annihilation of the enemy and taking control of the beach.

The officials informed that each LCM which was part of the newly acquired ship from the US, INS Jalashwa, could hold over 150 men and two BMPs. After the operational demo, a few children squeezed their way through the tight security to get clicked in front of the BMPs.

That was not all. The pilots of Indian Navy’s formation aerobatics team- Sagar Pavan brought the crowd to their feet with their scintillating display of aerobatics. Sky diving, formation of various classes of ships and submarines and their illumination late in the evening and a close fly past by ENC’s aircrafts added punch to the show. And last but not the least the naval band displayed their skill by organising the Beating Retreat.

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