Special Forces Training School Masters Helocasting Exercise from CH-47 Chinook Helicopters

The Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh recently executed a high-intensity Helocasting exercise using CH-47 Chinook helicopters over the course of 22 and 23 October 2025. This exercise represented a significant advancement in honing the water-borne infiltration skills of India's elite Special Forces.

Helocasting, recognized as one of the most challenging insertion strategies employed by Special Operations Forces globally, requires troops to leap from helicopters into water bodies, facilitating a covert approach to enemy areas. The SFTS operatives, often dubbed the "silent warriors" of the Indian Army, undertook several helocasting missions from the CH-47 Chinook, a versatile heavy-lift helicopter operated by the Indian Air Force.

The exercise was a simulation of infiltration into adversary zones, where commandos were assigned the task of securing high-value targets with maximum stealth and swiftness. The goal of this training was to boost their expertise in maritime and riverine operations, merging physical endurance with sharp mental agility in demanding circumstances.

Over the span of two days, the participants showcased exceptional professionalism and teamwork, completing insertions with remarkable precision. The drills consisted of underwater navigation, recovery operations, and simulated raids on enemy positions.

A senior instructor from SFTS highlighted that "Helocasting demands more than courage — it requires precision, timing, and absolute trust between men and machine. It’s where courage dives deeper than the depth itself."

Located in the Dhauladhar ranges of Himachal Pradesh, the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh remains a pivotal center for developing India's premier soldiers, those who are trained for unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, and secretive missions.

By fusing advanced insertion techniques like Helocasting with contemporary air platforms such as the CH-47 Chinook, the Indian Army’s Special Forces are constantly enhancing their ability to operate across various environments — land, air, and sea.

This exercise underscored the unparalleled readiness and adaptability of India’s Special Forces, embodying their ethos: “The task before us is always greater than the means at hand, but we shall overcome.”