Naval SOTC (Special Operations Training Center)

[fatman17]

Naval SOTC (Special Operations Training Center)

by Fatman17
4th Feb-2012



The Pakistan Navy has set up their own Naval – SOTC which is located in a rugged and hilly area beyond KANNUP and Paradise Point, but before PNS Nathyagali (PN Remote Sensing Site). The Base is under construction, however training for the SSG(N) and for the first time Basic Para-Jumping training is being imparted to Officer-Cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA).

Yesterday evening 3rd February was the Passing-Out of the 1st Company of SSG(N) & a batch of 14 Officer-Cadets of the PNA. The passing out was followed by a ‘Live-Fire” Demo by the SSG(N) who have just received their SSG Wings after qualifying and passing the 29 week Basic SEAL course.

The 1st course is to be known as 1st Amjad Razzaq Shaheed S.Bt. SEAL Course in his honor, who gave his life during the Mehran Base terrorist attack. The Shaheed’s proud father was also present at the passing out parade & live-fire demo.

The Base which is under construction already has a Barracks for the Navy Seals and a building which acts as the School or Center for the Naval SOTC. However the Naval SOTC will soon be shifted to Gharo where a State-of-the-Art facility is nearing completion. This site near the PN Remote Sensing Site (PNS Nathyagali) will be then be converted to a Deep-Sea Diving School for the SSG(N).

A total of 190 sailors and 14 officers volunteered for the Basic SEAL Course but after 29 weeks only 39 sailors and 1 officer were able to qualify and finish the 5-module training course. The attrition rate of 70% shows the degree of difficulty faced by the volunteers in completing the course.

This new 29-week Basic SEAL Course has replaced the older 18 week course which was previously being conducted. Each module runs for 6 weeks and includes:

1 – Endurance Module in which volunteers have to swim 6nm in the open seas, run 5km and 10km obstacle courses and show superior physical fitness.

2 – Unarmed Combat Module in which many variations of Martial Arts are taught for individual self-defense.

3 – Basic Commando Course in which training in CQC (Close Quarter Combat) and fighting in built up area range is imparted. Training in Assault Course is also provided.

4 – Basic AT & S Course (Anti-Terrorist & Sniper) in which basic skills in pistol & rifle firing are taught. Physical standards of the Basic Commando course are required.

5 – Basic Para-Jumping in which Para-jumping skills are taught through simulation (how to fall, left roll fall, right roll fall etc.) from 2ft, 4ft static platforms. A F-27 Fokker simulator has been installed where trainees conduct practice jumps from 35ft. finally the trainees have to make 5 real jumps from 1,500 meters to qualify for the Para-jumping wings.

In yesterday’s passing out parade, Para-jumping wings were given to the SSG(N) as well as the 14Officer-cadets of the PNA. SSG(N) wings were conferred on the 1st company of SSG(N) passing out from this base.

Awards were given to:
• Best Combat Diver.
• Best Unarmed Combat Seal.
• Weapons Specialist.
• Para-Jumper.
• Over-all award for Best Ironman – Dagger award. (like a Sword-of-Honor).

The weapons used in the live-fire demo were;
• Pistol 9mm
• SMG 5.56mm
• Assault Rifle 7.62mm (AK-47)
• Assault Rifle 5.56mm (M-4) with NVG goggles.

All in all it was a commendable effort by the PN to upgrade its security capabilities at its various naval bases. It would be good if these graduates are pitted against the more seasoned PA-SSG so that they can gauge their abilities and hold their own versus them.
The current strength of the SSG(N) SEALS is 3 companies. They are in process of giving these companies a identification similar to the PA-SSG.


Good Luck PN.

 

[forcetrip]

Visited their SSG Naval training base a few months back. They had some midget sub's docked for repairs of some kind. Also had a few high speed stealth boats around back. Not sure if thats the same place. I think it was a boat ride away from Kemari.

 

[fatman17]

Visited their SSG Naval training base a few months back. They had some midget sub's docked for repairs of some kind. Also had a few high speed stealth boats around back. Not sure if thats the same place. I think it was a boat ride away from Kemari.

its possible!

 

[TaimiKhan]

It would be good if these graduates are pitted against the more seasoned PA-SSG so that they can gauge their abilities and hold their own versus them.

I say we make a joint SSG command comprised of Army, Navy & Airforce and if possible commandos of para-military forces like FC / Rangers and even Police SWAT/ATF kind of groups included (for hostage / terrorist kind of situations in cities), it will give a good and huge boost to the special forces capability of Pakistan, use SSG-N & SSW in anti-militants operations in FATA, giving them good field experience and ready for real war like situations. Post them in Siachin also and other tough areas. SSG-N & SSW are being trained for last many years but with hardly any practical use in the field, get them into action, use them for protection key naval & air force installations, use them in Fata operations, Lt Gen rank from Army/Navy & Air force should head on random / numbering basis, or give a Lt Gen command with his number two being from navy or air force simultaneously.

I hope and wish to see such a day, it will be a huge boost and a very good experience force as a combine one with huge benefit.

Give them dedicated air transport capability by pooling together resources from each arm, thus it won't be a burden on a single arm.

 

[TaimiKhan]

It would be good if these graduates are pitted against the more seasoned PA-SSG so that they can gauge their abilities and hold their own versus them.

I say we make a joint SSG command comprised of Army, Navy & Airforce and if possible commandos of para-military forces like FC / Rangers and even Police SWAT/ATF kind of groups included (for hostage / terrorist kind of situations in cities), it will give a good and huge boost to the special forces capability of Pakistan, use SSG-N & SSW in anti-militants operations in FATA, giving them good field experience and ready for real war like situations. Post them in Siachin also and other tough areas. SSG-N & SSW are being trained for last many years but with hardly any practical use in the field, get them into action, use them for protection key naval & air force installations, use them in Fata operations, Lt Gen rank from Army/Navy & Air force should head on random / numbering basis, or give a Lt Gen command with his number two being from navy or air force simultaneously.

I hope and wish to see such a day, it will be a huge boost and a very good experience force as a combine one with huge benefit.

Give them dedicated air transport capability by pooling together resources from each arm, thus it won't be a burden on a single arm.

 

[Sinnerman108]

It would be good if these graduates are pitted against the more seasoned PA-SSG so that they can gauge their abilities and hold their own versus them.

I say we make a joint SSG command comprised of Army, Navy & Airforce and if possible commandos of para-military forces like FC / Rangers and even Police SWAT/ATF kind of groups included (for hostage / terrorist kind of situations in cities), it will give a good and huge boost to the special forces capability of Pakistan, use SSG-N & SSW in anti-militants operations in FATA, giving them good field experience and ready for real war like situations. Post them in Siachin also and other tough areas. SSG-N & SSW are being trained for last many years but with hardly any practical use in the field, get them into action, use them for protection key naval & air force installations, use them in Fata operations, Lt Gen rank from Army/Navy & Air force should head on random / numbering basis, or give a Lt Gen command with his number two being from navy or air force simultaneously.

I hope and wish to see such a day, it will be a huge boost and a very good experience force as a combine one with huge benefit.

Give them dedicated air transport capability by pooling together resources from each arm, thus it won't be a burden on a single arm.

Taimi, it doesn't matter ... the burden remains the same.
However having Special Forces from 3 different services will encourage tough competition and a pride war.
that is the war we want to happen.

 

[TOPGUN]

Awsome news PN needs to come up to speed and also it will help in guarding its bases .

 

[Rafi]

It would be good if these graduates are pitted against the more seasoned PA-SSG so that they can gauge their abilities and hold their own versus them.

I say we make a joint SSG command comprised of Army, Navy & Airforce and if possible commandos of para-military forces like FC / Rangers and even Police SWAT/ATF kind of groups included (for hostage / terrorist kind of situations in cities), it will give a good and huge boost to the special forces capability of Pakistan, use SSG-N & SSW in anti-militants operations in FATA, giving them good field experience and ready for real war like situations. Post them in Siachin also and other tough areas. SSG-N & SSW are being trained for last many years but with hardly any practical use in the field, get them into action, use them for protection key naval & air force installations, use them in Fata operations, Lt Gen rank from Army/Navy & Air force should head on random / numbering basis, or give a Lt Gen command with his number two being from navy or air force simultaneously.

I hope and wish to see such a day, it will be a huge boost and a very good experience force as a combine one with huge benefit.

Give them dedicated air transport capability by pooling together resources from each arm, thus it won't be a burden on a single arm.

SSGN has served alongside the Army in Swat and other COIN Operations, SSW has also used laser guidance for PGM's in the tribal areas.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

The base is at the foot hills of the mountain range west of Hawks Bay. There is a lot of construction going on in the vicinity including the construction of the Power Plant Workshop for the expansion NPP of KANNUP.

One can see the firing ranges little bit away from the sea, facing the mountains side. The main complex is more closer to the sea. The Naval Police personnel also get their basic fire arm training there.

A more rigourus course for NP has been designed after PNS Mehran incident. I have talked to one of the recruits of that course -- do not ask me how did I come accross that jawan but to me, after knowing the details, the course seemed like a joke.

But the SEAL thing is the right step. The SSG elements should be really "Special" instead of just slightly better trained and better equipped soldiers. I have dived with couple of them back in mid eighties -- they were good divers and had great stamina but I think the bravado was a tad too much. Today, besides being tough as nails, an SSG operative should also be an extremly intelligent individual as most of the time he will be operating in small teams or even alone.

 

[TaimiKhan]

Taimi, it doesn't matter ... the burden remains the same.
However having Special Forces from 3 different services will encourage tough competition and a pride war.
that is the war we want to happen.

Nops, the burden doesn't remains the same, with deployment of SSGN & SSW, burden from SSG is reduced, with compilation of aerial assets, wear & tear of Army assets reduce and their life is extended. Plus, the un-used special forces of Navy & Air Force would be used for something good of this country and not tied up for the day to see war with India only. As said before had the SSG-N been used with their assets for protection of Mehran Base, results might have been different. Key installations should be protected with the best or the better trained ones. A Flight Engineer Lt was incharge of the QRF at Mehran, plus normal naval personnel or may be marines were posted, had a small detachment of SSG-N guys been posted, thing may have a different outcome.

 

[fatman17]

a joint SOF command is certaily a good idea but before we reach so far, what we can do is have a 'commom' training platform with a few key specialist areas like Navy Seals in deep sea diving, the airforce SSG in combat SAR and the army SSG in Airborne Assault.

 

[Donatello]

Physical abilities and training of the special forces will take them only so far. The difference between top notch special forces is that of the weapons and the gear they field.

What i mean is that SSG and SSGN must equipped with all the latest equipment.......electronic gadgets etc and they should know how to use them.....like IR cameras, Night vision, GPS, radio etc.....

Handing them a vest and a AK47 won't cut it......

For SSGN the small submersibles are a must.........

 

[Aamir Hussain]

Right equipment is always welcome. But I think physical and mental strength is the clincher in the end. British special forces are not as well equipped as those in US service but they are respected and are up there with best.

The observation on the vest and tactical grip equipped AK47 is so very true.

 

[Najam Khan]

As said before had the SSG-N been used with their assets for protection of Mehran Base, results might have been different. Key installations should be protected with the best or the better trained ones. A Flight Engineer Lt was incharge of the QRF at Mehran, plus normal naval personnel or may be marines were posted, had a small detachment of SSG-N guys been posted, thing may have a different outcome.

Since such well trained men are in small number, their out of station appointments ( in a group of 3-5) are not done normally. However during high tension / imminent threat reports by security agencies their deployments on military installations are made in no time....I recall watching dozens of SSG guys sitting in the basketball court & nearest ground at GHQ on the evening of 12 Oct 1999 Military coup...later i understand the reason too.

The problem is that generally an average guy is appointed "on guard" duty, with basic assigned task to ask for identity of any incoming person(s) and report anything suspicious. Albeit the security plans of mostly military units and bases have changed after the Mehran attack and Parade lane RWp attack, still their exists various short comings. Presence of trained & responsible men from fighting arms and proper gear are some examples.

Special forces may not be assigned to bases/units but re-implementation/extension of base security SOPs is necessary. In air force, the trend of appointed the "coolest guy" on gate needs is somehow changed/complemented by presence of well trained personnel. After the Mehran attack,the un-necessary trees and bushes are regularly cut too. I think the same is followed in sister forces too.

 

[TaimiKhan]

a joint SOF command is certaily a good idea but before we reach so far, what we can do is have a 'commom' training platform with a few key specialist areas like Navy Seals in deep sea diving, the airforce SSG in combat SAR and the army SSG in Airborne Assault.

I say Cherat be made the joint SF training school. Once a basic course is given to men from all the branches, then they should be send to their respective specialized training schools where they are trained in the arts as you mentioned above. And they all should be trained in air assault and fighting COIN, and used also.

Plus the air assault role is being forwarded to the LIC battalions. SSG guys would be further kept for the extreme missions.