Marine Commandos’ base INS Karna commissioned

Visakhapatnam, July 12: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba on Tuesday commissioned INS Karna, an independent base of Marine Commandos (MARCOS).

The solemn commissioning ceremony held at Bheemunipatanam Naval Base, 44 kilometers from Visakhapatnam, was attended by Vice Admiral H C S Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Captain Varun Singh will be the Commanding Officer of INS Karna.

The Commissioning Warrant was read out by Captain Varun, while the ceremony was solemnised by an invocation in Sanskrit. Reena Lanba, wife of Navy Chief unveiled the Commissioning Plaque and named the Special Forces Unit as INS Karna.

"This was followed by hoisting of the Naval Ensign and playing of the National Anthem, in accordance with the time-honoured customs and traditions of the Indian Navy," says a spokesperson.

Admiral Lanba said that MARCOS have established themselves as Special Operations Force of international repute in a short span and have won well deserved gallantry awards for their acts of courage and valour.

"MARCOS proved their excellence wherever they have been deployed in various operations. Over the years, the Special Force has conducted numerous independent missions of direct action, reconnaissance and surveillance, and recovery operations," he said.

Keep the steel sharp, powder dry: Admiral Lanba Admiral Lanba asked the MARCOS to keep their steel sharp and powder dry as they would be the first into the battle and the need to be 'Mission Ready and a Winner' always.

"As the roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy have expanded in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, Special Operations Force would be required to be deployed in future combat at the strategic and operational level," the Admiral said.

The Marine Commando Force (MCF), also called as the 'MARCOS', was raised in February 1987 (at INS Abhimanyu in Mumbai) as the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF), capable of operating in all three dimensions, at sea, in air and on land.

Congratulating the MARCOS team, Navy PRO said: "Be tough when times are tough, be brave when times are scary, be humble when you are victorious, be a Marine Commando."

During the International Fleet Review held at Visakhapatnam early this year, the MARCOS unit exhibited their skydiving skills in addition to simulated war situations on R K Beach.

Similar to other SF units, enrollment to become a Marine Commando is a voluntary affair, followed by a rigorous selection process. The MARCOS has their motto: "The Few, The Fearless."

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