Pak
Marines structure is composed of five segments as follows:
PNS
QASIM. The
depot or the logistic base for the Marines which is responsible
for general administration and logistics requirements.
Marine
Battalion. This
Battalion is responsible for the security of Naval VAs/VPs,
aid to civil power and security deployment at various places.
Personnel from this Battalion, also recycle the Bn in the Creeks
area. Presently, this Battalion is providing manpower and professional
expertise to Pak Navy for provision of security at various
places in Pakistan. A dedicated Mistral Company is also a part
of this battalion, which is duly equipped with short range
surface to air Mistral Missiles.
Creeks
Battalion. This
battalion was raised in April 1999 with the objective to thwart
external threat in creeks area through forward presence and active
surveillance in peacetime and defend designated area of responsibility
during war. Battalion is maintaining continues forward presence
through regular combat patrolling and manning of forward posts/choke
points. Creeks Battalion is being commanded by an officer of
Commander rank. This battalion renderes valuable services
in checking the ingress of unwanted elements in our territorial
waters through creeks area. All efforts are in hand to equip
the battalion with state of the art equipment and weaponry
.
Marines
Training Centre (MTC). Marine
Training Centre (MTC) was established in 1990 to impart Basic
and Advance training to Pak Marines. Over a short period
of time it has achieved excellence in imparting high standard
of professional training to Marines. It is now fully capable
of making a Marine proficient in Amphibious Warfare, Riverine
Operations and Shore-based air Defence. Centre also conducts
the basic and refresher training for PNP(Pakistan Naval Police).
Pak Marines have inducted Hovercrafts and Military Assault Boats (MABs).
The UK built Hovercraft Griffon 2000 TD(M) is capable of carrying up to
22 troops at a maximum speed of 35 knots over variety of surfaces. This
unique capability would afford Marines the flexibility to operate in
areas otherwise inaccessible.
The Military Assault Boat (MAB) built by M/s MARSUN – Thailand is
capable of carrying up to 14 troops at maximum speed of 30 Knots. The
craft can be employed on variety of tasks encompassing combat
patrolling, logistic support missions, SAR and rapid deployment of
troops. Its induction would substantially enhance Marine’s mobility.
HISTORY
The
first ever Marine setup consisting of Marine Battalion and Amphibious
Wing was established on 01 June 1971 to support riverine operation
in former East Pakistan. However, as sequel to re-organization
after 1971 war, the Force was disbanded in 1974.
Marine
Setup comprising of Marine Battalion, Amphibious Wing and Marine
Training Centre was reactivated on 14 April 1990 to provide security
cover to Naval VAs/VPs, manning of AA assets, aid to civil power,
ceremonial duties and training of personnel. The acting Commander
M Obaidullah PN (P.No 1558) was designated as 1st Commanding
Officer. It was decided to establish the Marine Battalion at QASIM
Fort which was at that time under the operational control of PNS
HIMALAYA. As a first step, PNS QASIM was commissioned as training
Cum Depot Unit on 25 Nov 1990. The
Commissioning Crew comprised of 08 officer, 67 CPOs/Sailors from
general Service and 43 Marines UTs. Since its establishment Marines
had performed their assigned task with utmost dedication and alacrity.
During the last decade, threat on the SE eastern borders increased
manifolds, warranting an immediate response. Estimating the type and quantum
of threat, Pak Navy proposed deployment of a sizeable force in the
creeks. The then DCNS(O), Rear Admiral Shahid Karimullah SJ
SI(M) vigorously pursued the case of
an additional battalion and its phase wise development plan. Since,
its inception, Creeks Battalion is deployed in its designated Area
of Responsibility.
STATUS AND UTILIZATION
PNS
QASIM is a versatile unit having large ambit of roles/tasks, which
encompasses:
- Act as logistics base for Marines.
- Operational readiness of all segments of Marines.
- Defence of designated operational area in Creek.
- Provision of security coverage to VA/VPs of PN and sensitive
projects of national importance.
- Aid to civil power and rendering of assistance in case of natural
calamities.
- Provision of Air Defence cover to designated PN units and Karachi
complex through deployment of Mistral Missiles and Air Defence
Balloons.
- Responsible for conduct of
basic and mid career course for Marines.
- Maintain liaison with other
PN and Army Institutions for coordinating various courses of
instructions.
- Supervision/career management
of Marines.
- Ceremonial duties.
TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE
Owing
to the nature of employment; Marines had been trained as naval Infantry
covering both aspects of sea and land warfare. Marines are provided
comprehensive training in unarmed combat, close quarter battle, security
duties, swimming, small arms handling and Infantry tactics. Marines
regularly avail various basic and advance courses at Army Institutions.
Marine
training Centre (MTC) is on its path to attain self-sufficiency
in training domain. Initially only basic Marine specific courses
were designed and conducted at the Centre. However, with the expansion
of Marine setup and its professional ambit, MTC also raised its
instructional level and scope of courses. At present, Basic and Mid
career level training of Marines is being conducted on regular basis.
Apart from Marines' training, courses of varied nature for PNP, general
Service CPOs/ Sailors, civil organizations and foreign trainees are
also conducted at the Centre.
TRAINING COURSES
Marine
Training Centre has always been alive to the training of its manpower
in accordance with the dictates of the times. The under mentioned
basic and professional courses are regularly conducted at the Centre.
- Basic Marine Course
- Basic Marine Officer Course
- Leading Marine Qualifying Course
- Petty Officers Marine Qualifying Course
- CPO Marine Qualifying Course
- Guard/VIP Escort Course
- Pakistan Navy Police Basic & Refresher Courses
FACILITIES
Marine
Training Centre is equipped with modern training aid facilities to
facilitate the conduct of various basic and advance level courses.
Training aids include Computer Lab, Library, Gymnasium, Assault course,
Watercrafts, models of weapons and instructional movies.