No. 9 Squadron SLAF
Encyclopedia
No. 9 "Attack Helicopter" Squadron is a squadron
of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the air force's fleet of Attack Helicopter
of Mil Mi-24
s & Mil Mi-35
s from SLAF Hingurakgoda
for Close Air Support
. The squadron is tasked with close air support/battlefield air interdiction, air interdiction
, maritime air operations, armed escort missions and air defence operations.
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours
.
attack helicopters with . At its formation the squadron had five pilots, 26 engineering crew. In 1996 the leased aircraft were returned and new ones were bought. In 2000 Mi-35Ps were added to the fleet. The Squadron currently operates a mix of Mi-24/-35P and Mi-24V/-35 versions. They have recently been upgraded with modern Israel
i FLIR and electronic warfare
systems. Five were upgraded to intercept aircraft by adding radar, fully functional helmet mounted target tracking systems, and AAMs. Seven Mi-24 has been lost to LTTE MANPADs& anti aircraft guns, and another two lost in attacks on airbases, with one heavily damaged but later returned to service.
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours
.
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the air force's fleet of Attack Helicopter
Attack helicopter
An attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
of Mil Mi-24
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
s & Mil Mi-35
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
s from SLAF Hingurakgoda
SLAF Hingurakgoda
SLAF Hingurakgoda is a Sri Lanka Air Force station located in Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka.This base was an RAF airfield, RAF Minneriya during the World War II from 1942 to 1946, which was renovated and re-established by the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1978. It is also the fourth largest airport in Sri Lanka...
for Close Air Support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
. The squadron is tasked with close air support/battlefield air interdiction, air interdiction
Air interdiction
Air interdiction is the use of aircraft to attack tactical ground targets that are not in close proximity to friendly ground forces. It differs from close air support because it does not directly support ground operations and is not closely coordinated with ground units...
, maritime air operations, armed escort missions and air defence operations.
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours
Colours, standards and guidons
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
.
History
The squadron was formed on November 24, 1995 at the SLAF Base Hingurakgoda with three leased Mil Mi-24Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
attack helicopters with . At its formation the squadron had five pilots, 26 engineering crew. In 1996 the leased aircraft were returned and new ones were bought. In 2000 Mi-35Ps were added to the fleet. The Squadron currently operates a mix of Mi-24/-35P and Mi-24V/-35 versions. They have recently been upgraded with modern Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i FLIR and electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
systems. Five were upgraded to intercept aircraft by adding radar, fully functional helmet mounted target tracking systems, and AAMs. Seven Mi-24 has been lost to LTTE MANPADs& anti aircraft guns, and another two lost in attacks on airbases, with one heavily damaged but later returned to service.
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours
Colours, standards and guidons
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
.
Notable members
- Group CaptainGroup CaptainGroup captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
Jagath Rodrigo - Commanding Officer- 24.11.95 to 23.10.2000 - Wing CommanderWing Commander (rank)Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Thilina Kaluarachchi, WWVWeera Wickrama VibhushanayaWeera Wickrama Vibhushanaya Medal and Bar are the third highest Sri Lankan military decoration that is presented to officers and other ranks as a reward for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery which is of a military nature of a high order in the face of the enemy, carried out...
, RWPRana Wickrama PadakkamaThe Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of...
and bar, RSPRana Sura PadakkamaThe Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka...
and bar - Instructor Pilot, No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron - Wing Commander MDAP Payoe RSP, Commanding Officer- 24.10.2000 to 13.12.2004
- Wing Commander RMPRS Dharmawardena RWP,RSP, Commanding Officer- 14.12.2004 to 26.12.2006
- Wing Commander HSS Thuyacontha- Commanding officer- 26.12.2006 to 22.09.2009
- Wing Commander IMYA Bandara RSP- Commanding Officer- 22.09.2009 to 06.07.2010