Marine Commandos get a new base at Visakhapatnam

Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba on Tuesday commissioned the Marine Commandos Unit as 'INS Karna" at Bheemunipatanam Naval Base, near Visakhapatnam.

The event commenced with an impressive parade.

Asking all Marine Commandos to keep their "steel sharp and powder dry", Lanba said that 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," he said, noting that the 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.

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

--IANS

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