| Special Service Group Navy | |
|---|---|
A member of Pakistan Navy Special Service Group is silhouetted by the setting sun aboard Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Babur (D 182) while under way in the Arabian Sea Nov. 25, 2007. |
|
| Active | 1966- Present |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Branch | Pakistan Navy |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Primary tasks:
Other roles:
|
| Size | ~2000-3000 |
| Part of | Pakistan Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | Cherat, Khyber-Pakthunkhwa Province Karachi Sindh Province |
| Nickname | SSGN |
| Motto | Let It not be Said That we did not prove up to the Task |
| Anniversaries | Defence Day |
| Engagements | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War Operation Barisal Operation Southern Door Operation Madad-I War in North-West Pakistan Operation Black Thunderstorm Operation Rah-e-Nijat Operation Mehran |
| Decorations | Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
ADM Afzal Tahir ADM Shahid Karimullah |
The Special Service Group Navy,[1] codename SSG(N), are the Pakistan Navy's elite principal special operations naval force component.[2] Together with the PAF 312th SS Wing, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines, and Rangers, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command (P-SOC) under the joint administrative control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Defence Forces. The SSG(N) are often trained to conduct sea-air-land incursion, counter-terrorism, naval intelligence gathering, hostage rescue, and boarding.[2] The SSG(N) are deployed deployed in a wide variety of missions, including direct action and special reconnaissance operations, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and other missions.[2] Without exception, all SSG(N) are male members of either the Navy, or the Coast Guard.[2] The details of most SSG(N) missions are highly secretive, and the identities of operatives are kept classified.[2] SSG(N) are often compared to the US Navy SEALs and Britain's Special Boat Service.[2]
Official numbers place the strength between 700 to 1,000 however the actual strength is classified. During the training of the SSG(N) teams, the SSGN teams are occasionally sent to US Navy SEALs training school to conduct its training and exercises in special warfare training with US Navy SEALs.[3]
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After the Indo-Pak 1965 September War, the Pakistan Navy, under advise of U.S. Navy, decided to create its own Special warfare unit, the Naval Special Services Group(SSGN) in 1966.[4] Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan personally took initiatives to established this unit within the navy. The United States Navy SEALs also provided their training and operational techniques to the SSG(N) as they were selected by the U.S. Government as per request of Admiral S. M. Ahsan. Training facilities were constructed in Karachi, Peshawar and Cherat, and training was launched. In 1974, Pakistan Army's Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Sajjad Ali Shah, was drafted from among the best of the Army's Special Service Group (SSG) officers into Navy, to be sent to the United States in 1974 to undergo the U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land training, commonly known as the Navy SEALs. After the successful completion of the world's toughest course, he was selected for basic underwater demolition course at amphibious base, Coronado, CA. On returning to Pakistan, he was given the task of raising Navy commando unit in Karachi. Shah, now as Commander, also took part in formulating and implementing new ideas in Moses company of SSG(N) which is tasked with an anti-terrorist role. As of today, the SSG(N) teams are currently participating in recent insurgencies in Pakistan, and provide vital support of Army and Air Force's Special Operations.
The current SSG(N) headquarters are based in Karachi, Sindh. They were modeled on the American Navy SEALs and the British Special Boat Service (SBS) as U.S. SEALS had supervised their training. It is tasked with unconventional warfare operations in the coastal regions. During the time of war, it is assigned Midget submarines to conduct offensive and defensive operations against enemy ports, ships and naval facilities. SSG(N) are also trained in underwater demolition, clearance and diving. The initial training is similar to the Army's SSG and Air Force's SSW, they also provides HALO training to the SSG(N). All of the candidates belonging to Pakistan Marines, SSG of Army and SSW of Air Force are trained together. After their training and graduation from special warfare operations, all of the officers are asked join either Forces (Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy) where they have to complete few special operations courses which last 2–3 weeks.
After which specific marine oriented training is provided at, PNS Iqbal, which is the SSG(N) headquarters located in Karachi. Some students are sent to United States for specialist courses.[4] Since 1970s the SSG(N) holds joint exercises with the U.S. Navy SEALs and the Imperial Iranian Navy.[4]
Because the members of SS(N) are sent to be trained with United States Navy SEALs, the training for SSG(N) are tough and very rigorous, and one of the toughest training programme in the world.[2] Officers and sailors who are volunteering to join the Navy's SSG(N) force, are expected to language qualified, and must be college graduate.[2] The drop-out rate for SSG(N) classes are over 80-90%.[2] Those who are failed to make for SSG(N) are return to regular jobs in Navy. The SSG(N) are trained to carry and conduct clandestine operations, hidden from media and outside world.[2] Unlike the army, SSG(N) operations are clandestine and highly secretive.[2] All of these volunteers are fully understood that achievements made by SSG(N) members are not to be celebrated in navy.[2]
The Army's SSG force and the Air Force's SSW force have to go the same basic training which is run by the Army in Cherat. All soldiers volunteering to join any of these forces including the SSG-N must have at least two years of prior military experience and volunteer from other formations for three-year assignments with the SSGN(N); Non-commissioned officers and enlisted men volunteer from other formations to serve permanently in the SSG(N).
All trainees must participate in an eight-month courses which includes 36-mile march or more in 12 hours, a grueling requirement that was first institutionalized by 19 Baluch regiment. They are also required to run 5 miles in 40 minutes with full gear, fully loaded. Following the course, trainees must volunteer for Air Force Airborne School. This course lasts for four weeks and all recruits must pass this course and wings are attained after conducting 5 day and 2 night static-line jumps. A large number of the SSGN operators are also HALO/HAHO qualified.
Once the 8 month course is complete, troops who are volunteering to join the SSGN are then given specialized training in maritime and amphibious warfare at the specialized training school located in Karachi. Some are also send to the United States and United Kingdom for specialized training with the US Navy SEALs and the British SBS.
Combat Diver badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN. Three classes of combat swimmers were recognized: 1st class to those completing an 18-mile or more swim in designated time period; 2nd class to those finishing a 12-mile swim; and 3rd class for a 6-mile swim.
The role of the SSG)N) members are predominantly focused on the littoral and riverine domain and are capable in mounting coastal and covert beach reconnaissance which could include covert assault route preparation in advance of amphibious assault and recovery or protection of ships and oil installations subject to hostile state or non-state (terrorist) action. They are also trained in Maritime Counter-Terrorism, assault on verified targets and the protection of VIPs.
PNS Iqbal is the commanding headquarter of commander SSG(N). The commander SSG(N) is placed under the command of Commander Coastal areas.
SSG(N) are divided into three sub commands.
SSG(N) is distinguished by a dark maroon beret with golden insignia featuring 'Sword superimposed over Wings and a Star' badge for officers, NCOs and enlisted men, worn over the left pocket on dress uniforms.[4] A metal SSGN Midget qualification badge featuring a vertical dagger superimposed over a midget submarine is worn over the left pocket on dress uniforms. Parachute wings are worn over the right pocket.[4]