Sri Lankan Air Force - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is the air arm

Air force

An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...

and the youngest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces

Sri Lanka Armed Forces

The Sri Lanka Armed Forces is the overall unified military of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka encompassing the Sri Lanka Army, the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lanka Air Force which comes under preview of the Ministry of Defence...

. It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with the assistance of the Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

(RAF). The SLAF played a major role throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War

Sri Lankan civil war

The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...

. The SLAF operates more than 160 aircraft and has a projected trained strength of 27,400 airmen and 1,300 officers, who are from both regular and reserve service. The Sri Lanka Air Force has expanded to specialize mainly in providing air-support to ground forces, troop landing, and carrying out air strikes on rebel-held areas in the Northern and Eastern theatres, but is also capable of high- and low-level air defence.

The Commander of the Air Force

Commander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)

The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...

is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Mission statement

The mission statement

Mission statement

A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...

of the Sri Lanka Air Force is

History

In its early years, the air force was engaged primarily in immigration patrol, with occasional assistance in emergency relief. During the insurgency of 1971, the air force played a major role in restoring internal order; in addition to providing transport of supplies and troops, it participated in assaults against insurgent strongholds. Following the ethnic rioting of 1983, the air force was placed on permanent active status and participated in counter-insurgency activities and air strikes on the rebel-controlled areas of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Early days

Early administration and training was carried out by RAF officers and other personnel, who were seconded to the RCyAF.
The first aircraft of the RCyAF were de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years...

s used as basic trainers. These were followed by Boulton Paul Balliol

Boulton Paul Balliol

|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X....

T.Mk.2s and Airspeed Oxford

Airspeed Oxford

The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War.-Design and development:...

Mk.1s for advanced training of pilots and aircrew along with de Havilland Dove

De Havilland Dove

The de Havilland DH.104 Dove was a British monoplane short-haul airliner from de Havilland, the successor to the biplane de Havilland Dragon Rapide and was one of Britain's most successful post-war civil designs...

s and de Havilland Heron

De Havilland Heron

The de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a small, propeller-driven British airliner that first flew on 10 May 1950. It was a development of the twin-engine de Havilland Dove, with a stretched fuselage and two more engines. It was designed as a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle...

s for transport use, all provided by the British. By 1955 the RCyAF was operating two flying squadrons based at RAF Negombo. The first helicopter type to be added to the service was the Westland Dragonfly

Westland Dragonfly

|-See also:-External links:* Westland entry in the helis.com database*...

. These were supplemented in the 1960s with various other aircraft, most notably American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

Bell JetRanger

Bell 206

The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...

helicopters and a Hindustan

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia's largest aerospace companies. Under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence, this state-owned company is mainly involved in aerospace industry, which includes manufacturing and assembling aircraft, navigation and...

HUL-26 Pushpak

HAL Pushpak

-Bibliography:* The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft , 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2172...

gifted by India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. The closure of British bases in Ceylon in 1956 saw the air force take over former RAF bases; Katunayake and China Bay

SLAF China Bay

SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...

became RCyAF operational stations while ancillary functions were carried out at Diyatalawa

Diyatalawa

Diyatalawa is a garrison town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, in the Badulla District of Uva Province. It is at an altitude of and has become a popular destination for local holiday makers...

and Ekala.

In 1959 de Havilland Vampire

De Havilland Vampire

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...

jet aircraft

Jet aircraft

A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...

were acquired. However the RCyAF did not put them into operational use and soon replaced them with five Hunting Jet Provosts

BAC Jet Provost

The BAC Jet Provost was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also successfully exported, serving in many air forces worldwide....

obtained from the British, which were formed into the Jet Squadron. By 1970 these were in storage.

The Royal Ceylon Air Force first went into combat in 1971 when the Marxist JVP

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna

The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...

launched an island-wide insurrection on April 5. The Ceylon Armed Forces were caught off guard; police stations island-wide and the RCyAF base at Ekala were attacked in the initial wave. Responding rapidly the RCyAF deployed its limited aircraft, at first to resupply besieged police stations and military outposts and patrol around major cities. The Jet Provosts were taken out of storage and put in to service within three days, carrying out attacks on insurgents. During this insurgency the left-leaning Bandaranaike government turned to the Soviet Union

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....

for more sophisticated weaponry, and received five Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. Most MiG-17 variants cannot carry air-to-air missiles, but shot down many aircraft with its cannons...

F fighter bombers and a MiG-15 UTI

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...

trainer, as well as two Kamov Ka-26 helicopters meant for search and rescue

Search and rescue

Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

and casualty evacuation. The RAF's heavy transports also flew in six Bell 47

Bell 47

The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...

G helicopters purchased from the United States, which were put in to combat as soon as possible after only five days of pilot training. Air Force personnel joined in ground operations, and when the insurgents surrendered after about a month's fighting the RCyAF was in charge of three of the many rehabilitation camps setup for insurgents.

Because of a shortage of funds for military expenditure in the wake of the 1971 uprising, the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron began operating commercial transport services for foreign tourists under the name of Helitours

Helitours

Helitours is a domestic airline in Sri Lanka operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force with aircraft not required for operational use.- History :The service started in 1972 as an idea of Air Martial Mendis to cater to the tourist. By the end of 1972 Helitours was flying to Male also...

. In 1987 the air force had a total strength of 3,700 personnel, including active reserves. The force had grown gradually during its early years, reaching a little over 1,000 officers and recruits in the 1960s. On March 31, 1976 the SLAF was awarded the President's Colour

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...

. That same year SLAF detachments, which later became SLAF stations, were established at Wirawila, Vavuniya and Minneriya.

With the closure of Air Ceylon

Air Ceylon

Air Ceylon was the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka from 1947 until 1978, when it was replaced by Air Lanka.- History :...

in 1978, its Hawker Siddeley HS 748 transport aircraft was taken over by the SLAF. By the early 1980s the Provosts and all of the Soviet aircraft had been taken out of active service and placed in long-term storage, leaving the air force without any fighter/bomber capability.

1980s & 1990s

Rapid growth began in the mid-1980s, when the Sri Lankan Civil War

Sri Lankan civil war

against Tamil separatists drew the service into a major, long-term security role. In 1982 the SLAF reactivated airfields at Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Koggala and Sigiriya that had been disused since World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, all later becoming SLAF Stations. During the First Eelam War

Eelam War I

Eelam War I is the name given to the initial phase of the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. Although tensions between the government and Tamil militant groups had been brewing since the 1970s, full scale war did not break out until an attack by the LTTE on a Sri Lanka...

between 1983 and 1987, the force grew by nearly 50 percent.

As in the other services, a shortage of spare parts plagued maintenance efforts, forcing the service to send a number of aircraft to Singapore and elsewhere for repairs. After the purchase of equipment from Canada in 1986, the air force gained the capability to make structural repairs on its fleet of Bell helicopters, several of which had been damaged in operations against the Tamil separatists. Maintenance of electronic equipment was performed at the communications station at Ekala, in the north of Colombo District.

After the 1983 riots, the government worked rapidly to expand the SLAF inventory, relying largely on sources in Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

, Britain, and the United States. Because of tight budget constraints, the SLAF was compelled to refit a number of non-combat aircraft for military uses in counter-terrorism

Counter-terrorism

Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...

operations against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was a separatist militant organization formerly based in northern Sri Lanka. Founded in May 1976 by Vellupillai Prabhakaran, it waged a violent secessionist and nationalist campaign to create an independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka for Tamil...

(LTTE) terrorists. From the period 1983 to 1985, the Air Force acquired 11 Bell 212 helicopters, four Bell 412

Bell 412

The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...

helicopters, three SIAI Marchetti SF.260s, two Cessna 337s, one Hawker Siddeley HS 748 and two Beechcraft Super King Air

Beechcraft Super King Air

The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...

s. By 1985, nine more Bell 212s were added to the fleet, along with four Bell 412s. The 412s along with the SIAI Marchetti SF.260 aircraft advanced the attack capabilities of the SLAF. Central in the government's security efforts were six SIAI Marchetti SF.260TP turboprop

Turboprop

A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...

s which were used for rocket

Rocket

A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...

attacks and strafing. Additionally, the air force, with the help of Heli Orient of Singapore

Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

, equipped twelve Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters to serve as gunships

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...

and as transport vehicles for highly successful commando

Commando

In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...

assault operations. The air force had a fleet of approximately eighty aircraft, of which sixty-four were reported to be operational in early 1988.

Government forces reportedly also used helicopters on bombing missions. A more effective bombing capability was provided by a small fleet of Chinese Harbin Y-12

Harbin Y-12

-See also:-Bibliography:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5....

turboprop transport aircraft

Cargo aircraft

A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo...

. These were equipped with bomb racks that had been fitted to carry up to 1,000 kilograms of fragmentation and anti-personnel bombs. Transport, training, and surveying functions were carried out by a variety of Cessna

Cessna

The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...

and de Havilland

De Havilland

The de Havilland Aircraft Company was a British aviation manufacturer founded in 1920 when Airco, of which Geoffrey de Havilland had been chief designer, was sold to BSA by the owner George Holt Thomas. De Havilland then set up a company under his name in September of that year at Stag Lane...

aircraft. In 1987 during the Vadamarachchi Operation

Vadamarachchi Operation

The Operation Liberation or Vadamarachchi Operation, the military offensive carried out by the Sri Lankan military during May to June 1987, to re-gain the territory of Vadamarachchi in Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE control...

the air force mustered one HS 748, two Y-12s and one de Havilland Heron, all configured as improvised bombers. In 1987 the air force acquired Shaanxi Y-8

Shaanxi Y-8

The Shaanxi Y-8 or Yunshuji-8 aircraft is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Soviet Antonov An-12. It has become one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft, with many variants produced and exported...

s and would later use them for bombing, until 1992 when one Y-8 crashed during a bombing mission, when all bombing using transport aircraft were stopped.

On 3 September 1987 a Women's Wing was formed and located in Colombo. The first CO was Air Cdre D.S.G. Vithana. The Women's Wing was set up to maintain and update all records pertaining to female officers and airwomen, prepare promotional schedules, annual assessments, issue identity cards, etc.

In order to increase its attack capability, in 1991 the SLAF acquired four F-7 Skybolts

Chengdu J-7

The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...

, three FT-7s and two Shenyang J-5

Shenyang J-5

The Shenyang J-5 , originally designated Dongfeng-101 - , and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5...

s from China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

. Later in 1993 the first of three Mil Mi-17

Mil Mi-17

The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...

helicopter transports were acquired along with four FMA IA 58 Pucará

FMA IA 58 Pucará

The FMA IA 58 Pucará is an Argentine ground-attack and counter-insurgency aircraft. It is a low-wing two-turboprop-engined all-metal monoplane with retractable landing gear, manufactured by the Fábrica Militar de Aviones.-Development:...

s for ground attack. These proved to be effective, but three of the Pucarás were lost, two to surface-to-air missile

Surface-to-air missile

A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...

s launched by the LTTE. The sole remaining Pucará was retired in 1999 due to lack of spare parts. In 1995 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...

gunships were acquired for close air support for the army and by 2001 Mil Mi-35s were added to the fleet.

In 1996 the SLAF acquired seven IAI Kfir

IAI Kfir

The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:...

s (six C.2s and one TC.2) from Israel

Israel

The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

and a further nine of these aircraft had been added to the inventory by 2005. This included four C.2s and four C.7s in 2001. Currently the SLAF operates two C.7s, eight C.2s and two TC.2s. The SLAF used these Kfirs to launch attacks against Tamil separatist targets in rebel-controlled areas of the island.

2000–2010

In 2000 new aircraft were acquired; apart from the addition of Kfir C.7s and Mi-35s, these included six Mikoyan MiG-27

Mikoyan MiG-27

The Mikoyan MiG-27 is a variable-geometry ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan design bureau in the Soviet Union and later license-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur . It is based on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimized for...

dedicated ground attack aircraft

Ground attack aircraft

Ground-attack aircraft are military aircraft with primary role of attacking targets on the ground with greater precision than bombers and prepared to face stronger low-level air defense...

(obtained due to lack of specialized ground attack aircraft since the retirement of the Pucarás), a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23UB

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat"...

trainer and two Lockheed C-130 Hercules

C-130 Hercules

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...

for heavy transport. Six K-8 Karakorum

Hongdu JL-8

The Hongdu JL-8 is a two-seat intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed in the People's Republic of China by China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The primary contractor for this plane is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation...

trainers were soon bought from Pakistan, creating No. 14 Squadron to train pilots for the newly-expanded fleet of jets.

On 24 July 2001, thirteen aircraft including two Kfir jet fighters, one Mi-24 helicopter gunship and one MiG-27 jet fighter, were destroyed in the pre-dawn attack by the LTTE on SLAF Katunayake air base, part of Bandaranaike International Airport

Bandaranaike International Airport

Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...

about 35 km. north of Colombo. Three military training aircraft and five civilian jets were also among the destroyed aircraft. Many of these aircraft were later replaced. Sri Lanka's international airport has remained on alert for a repeat of the 2001 attack, with severe restrictions on the number of people allowed into the terminal buildings. Huge walls were built around the terminals and the control towers to prevent impact from car bomb attacks, and many sentries were placed along the approach roads to the facility. All airports including the international airport are heavily guarded by members of the SLAF Regiment. In 2006 four MiG-27s were bought from Ukraine

Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...

to replace two lost in crashes and the one lost in the attack on the airport.

Since the start of the civil war the SLAF used its combat aircraft in a ground-attack role to attack LTTE and civilian targets in the then LTTE-controlled areas in the northern and eastern parts of the island. Following confirmation that the LTTE was using several light weight aircraft in 2006, the SLAF expanded its air defense capabilities which had been neglected for years. Extensive air defense radar network was established and ground based air defense strengthened. Airborne interception of the LTTE light aircraft were developed using both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft until dedicated interceptors were acquired.

During the 2007-2009 the LTTE launched several attacks using light aircraft on Colombo, SLAF Katunayake and several other locations with superficial damage. In the early hours of October 22, 2007 a ground attack by the LTTE on SLAF Anuradhapura at Saliyapura, which was supported briefly by its air wing, resulted in the destruction of eight aircraft with several others damaged. The attack only affected the SLAF's training element. Early in 2008 the air force received six F-7Gs, these are primarily used as interceptors and are attached to No.5 Jet Squadron.

In October 2008 the air force claimed its first air-to-air kill, when it reported that one of its F-7G interceptors shot down a Zlín Z 43

Zlín Z 43

|-See also:-External links:* *...

of the LTTE air wing when it attempted to attack a military base in Vavuniya

Vavuniya

Vavuniya is a town in northern Sri Lanka. This town is situated in the Northern Province. Vavuniya was often referred to as the gateway to Vanni....

. In the last stages of civil war the SLAF flew its highest number of sorties providing close air support of ground and naval forces and carried out pinpoint bombing on identified targets. It moved many of its units including fighter jets to forward air bases to increase the number of sorties.

By 2009 SLAF operated three FT-7, three F-7BS, six F-7G, two Kfir TC.2s, two Kfir C.7s, eight Kfir C.2s, seven MiG-27s and one MiG-23UB trainer. Following the end of the civil war the number of sorties flown were reduced.

In 2011 it grounded its Kfir of the No. 10 Fighter Squadron following a mid-air collision that resulted in the loss of two Kfirs.

Major combat operations

The Air Force has supported the Sri Lanka Army in all major operations carried undertaken by them;

1971 JVP Insurrection (1971–1972)
Eelam War I
Eelam War I
Eelam War I is the name given to the initial phase of the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. Although tensions between the government and Tamil militant groups had been brewing since the 1970s, full scale war did not break out until an attack by the LTTE on a Sri Lanka...

(1976–1987)
- Vadamarachchi Operation
  Vadamarachchi Operation
  The Operation Liberation or Vadamarachchi Operation, the military offensive carried out by the Sri Lankan military during May to June 1987, to re-gain the territory of Vadamarachchi in Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE control...
JVP Uprising (1987–1990)
Eelam War II
Eelam War II
Eelam War II is the name given to the second phase of armed conflict between Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The war started after the failure of peace talks between the Premadasa government and the LTTE...

(1990–1995)
- Operation Sea Breeze
  Operation Sea Breeze
  The Operation Sea Breeze may refer to the*Operation Sea Breeze by the Sri Lankan Military in 1990.*Gaza flotilla raid by the Israeli Navy in 2010....
- Operation Eagle
  Operation Eagle (Sri Lanka)
  Operation Eagle was a Sri Lanka Air Force operation to resupply and rescue critically wounded service personal from the old Dutch Fort of Jaffna held by the Sri Lanka Army and besieged by the LTTE on July 3, 1990...
- Operation Thrividha Balaya
  Operation Thrividha Balaya
  Operation Thrividha Balaya was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Military in Jaffna. The Operation was carried out to break the siege of the Sri Lanka Army garrison of the old Dutch Jaffna Fort in Jaffna. The operation was successfully carried out and the garrison withdrawn....
- Operation Balavegaya
  Operation Balavegaya
  Operation Balavegaya was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Military in Jaffna. It was the largest amphibious assault launched by the Sri Lankan Military in its history. Operation Balavegaya was launched in response to siege of Elephant Pass by the LTTE terrorists...
  
  I, II

Eelam War III
Eelam War III
Eelam War III is the name given to the third phase of armed conflict between Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. After the period of 100 days cease-fire the hostilities broke out on the 19th of April 1995. The LTTE - Sea Tigers planted explosives in two gun...

(1995–2002)
- Operation Riviresa
  Operation Riviresa
  Operation Riviresa , was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in Jaffna. Starting on the 17 October 1995, the primary objective of the operation was the capture of the town of Jaffna and rest of the Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE...
- Operation Jayasikurui
  Operation Jayasikurui
  Operation Jayasikurui , was a Sri Lankan military action launched on May 13, 1997; it lasted until it was called off in 1999...
- Operation Rivibala
- Operation Ranagosa
- Operation Rivikirana
- Operation Kinihira I, II, III/IV, V/VI, VII, VIII ,IX

Eelam War IV

Eelam War IV is the name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is currently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by 32 countries . Renewed hostilities began on the July 26, 2006 when Sri Lanka Air...

(2006–2009)

Eastern Theater
Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV
The Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV, the warfare started in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka on July 21, 2006, when the LTTE cut off the water supply to the rice fields in the Mavil aru area in the eastern Trincomalee district...
Northern Theater
Northern Theater of Eelam War IV
The Northern Theater of Eelam War IV refers to the fighting that took place in the northern province of Sri Lanka between July 2006 and May 18, 2009.-Beginning of the war:...

Air Force Headquarters

The professional head of the air force is the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal

Air Marshal

Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

Harsha Abeywickrama

Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, qfi, SLAF is a Sri Lankan fighter pilot and the current Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force.-Education :Educated at Royal College Colombo where he excelled both in studies and in sports...

who reports directly to the Minister of Defence. The Commander of the Air Force exercises operational and administrative control of the air force from air force headquarters, SLAF Colombo

SLAF Colombo

SLAF Colombo is the Sri Lanka Air Force headquarters in Colombo. In this capacity it has the offices of the Commander of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, the Board of Management and Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Air Force...

. He is assisted by the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal K. A. Gunatilleke, who sits on the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors numbers 14;

Director Air Operations
Director Ground Operations
Director Aeronautical Engineering
Director General Engineering
Director Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
Director Logistics
Director Administration
Director Planning
Director Inspection and Safety
Director Civil Engineering
Director Health Services
Director Dental Services
Director Training
Director Welfare

Zonal Commands

The air force has four commands

Command (military formation)

A command in military terminology is an organisational unit that the individual in Military command has responsibility for. A Commander will normally be specifically appointed into the role in order to provide a legal framework for the authority bestowed...

known as zonal commands, each under the control of an air officer

Air Officer

An air officer is a Royal Air Force officer of the rank of air commodore or higher. Such officers may be termed "officers of air rank". The term is also used by many Commonwealth nations who have a similar rank structure to the RAF....

for command and administrative control. The zonal commands control all flying squadrons, aircraft and air defences; zonal Commanders are responsible for air and ground operations that have been decided upon by the Directorate of Operations at Air Force HQ.

Four Zonal Commands

Eastern Zonal Command
Northern Zonal Command
Southern Zonal Command
Western Zonal Command

Air Defense Command

The Air Defense Command, based at SLAF Katunayake, is the SLAF command responsible for coordination of air and ground units to maintain integrated national air defence.

Flying Squadrons

No. 1 Flying Training Wing
No. 1 Wing SLAF
No. 1 Flying Training Wing currently based at SLAF China Bay, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.-History:...
No. 2 Heavy Transport Squadron
No. 2 Squadron SLAF
No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:...
No. 4 (VIP) Helicopter Squadron
No. 4 Squadron SLAF
No. 4 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 412s from SLAF Katunayake for VIP Air transport.-History:...
No. 5 Jet Squadron
No. 5 Squadron SLAF
No. 5 "Jet" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates in both air defence and ground attack role with F-7 Skybolts from SLAF Katunayake.-History:...
No. 6 Helicopter Squadron
No. 6 Squadron SLAF
No. 6 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Mil Mi-17s from SLAF Anuradhapura for troop transport.-History:...
No. 7 Helicopter Squadron
No. 7 Squadron SLAF
No. 7 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 212s, Bell 206s from SLAF Hingurakgoda for troop transport, MEDEVAC and training helicopter pilots.-History:...
No. 8 Light Transport Squadron
No. 8 Squadron SLAF
No. 8 "Light Transpor" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the Harbin Y-12 from SLAF Ratmalana. Its roles include light transport, reconnaissance and pilot training for twin engine aircraft.-History:...
No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron
No. 9 Squadron SLAF
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-24s & Mil Mi-35s from SLAF Hingurakgoda for Close Air Support...
No. 10 Fighter Squadron
No. 10 Squadron SLAF
No. 10 "Fighter" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the IAI Kfir from SLAF Katunayake. The squadron is tasked with providing offensive support for ground & maritime operations, air interdiction and interception...
No. 12 Squadron
No. 12 Squadron SLAF
No. 12 Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates in both ground attack and close air support role operating with Mikoyan MiG-27s from SLAF Katunayake.. The Squadron also operates a single Mikoyan MiG-23UB as conversion trainer for the MiG-27.-History:The squadron was...
No. 14 Squadron
No. 14 Squadron SLAF
No. 14 Squadron is a training squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the Hongdu JL-8 from SLAF China Bay for advanced jet training.-External links:**...
No. 111 Air Surveillance Squadron
No. 111 Squadron SLAF
No. 111 Air Surveillance Squadron is an squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force operating in the reconnaissance role using unmanned aerial vehicles. It currently operates the IAI Searcher Mk II from SLAF Vavuniya. Till 2008 the unit was an independent flight No. 11 "UAV" Flight, but was up graded in...
No. 112 Air Surveillance Squadron
No. 112 Squadron SLAF
No. 112 Air Surveillance Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force operating in the reconnaissance role using unmanned aerial vehicles. It currently operates the EMIT Blue Horizon 2 from SLAF Vavuniya. Till 2008 the unit was an independent flight No. 11 "UAV" Flight, but was upgraded in...

Branches and Trades

General Duties Pilot Branch - Pilots
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...

and Navigators
Flight officer
The title flight officer was a military rank used by the United States Armed Forces where it was an air force warrant officer rank. It was also an air force rank in several Commonwealth nations where it was used for female officers and was equivalent to the rank of flight lieutenant...

(commissioned officers)
Administrative Branch - Administrative Officers and associated trades are involved with training management, physical education, catering, infrastructure management, accounts, dress and discipline, personnel and recruitment. Also includes;
- Legal Branch
- SLAF Band
Operations Air Branch - Fighter Controllers and Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...

control SLAF aircraft from the ground as well as combat ground units.
Technical Signal Branch - Mainitains SLAF communications includes Air Signallers.
Engineering Branch - Engineering Officers and technicians are employed to maintain and repair the equipment used by the SLAF. Also includes;
- Equipment Branch
- Air Field Construction Branch
SLAF Regiment - Officers and Gunners; it has infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...

, paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...

and light armoured units to protect against ground attack and defend against air attack with ground-to-air defence units.
- SLAF Regiment Special Force
  Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force
  Regiment Special Force is an elite Special Forces unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force, part of the SLAF Regiment. This was formerly Air Base Defence Rescue Squadron established on 7 July 2003...
  
  - The elite special forces
  Special forces
  Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
  
  unit of the SLAF.
Air Force Police - Military police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...

of the SLAF and are located wherever the SLAF is located.
SLAF Women's Wing
Medical & Dental Branch

Aircraft Inventory

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Role
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service

|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack and Offensive Support Aircraft
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...

|-----
| IAI Kfir

IAI Kfir

Israel
| fighter-bomber

Fighter-bomber

A fighter-bomber is a fixed-wing aircraft with an intended primary role of light tactical bombing and also incorporating certain performance characteristics of a fighter aircraft. This term, although still used, has less significance since the introduction of rockets and guided missiles into aerial...

----
conversion trainer

Trainer (aircraft)

A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows...

|C2/C7
----
TC2
|6
----
2
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-27

Mikoyan MiG-27

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

Chengdu J-7

Mainland China
| interceptor

Interceptor aircraft

An interceptor aircraft is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically to prevent missions of enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Interceptors generally rely on high speed and powerful armament in order to complete their mission as quickly as possible and set up...

----
conversion trainer
|F-7GS
----
F-7BS
----
FT-7
| 6
----
3
----
3
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Reconnaissance and Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Surveillance aircraft
A surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance — collecting information over time. They are operated by military forces and other government agencies in roles such as intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, airspace surveillance, observation , border patrol and fishery...

|-----
| Cessna 421 Golden Eagle

Cessna 421

-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Taylor, John W.R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3....

United States
| maritime reconnaissance

Surveillance aircraft

A surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance — collecting information over time. They are operated by military forces and other government agencies in roles such as intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, airspace surveillance, observation , border patrol and fishery...

|
| 1
|-----
| Beechcraft 200T Super King Air

Beechcraft Super King Air

United States
| maritime reconnaissance
| 200T
| 2
|-----
| IAI Searcher Mk II

IAI Searcher

|-See also:-References:This article contains material that originally came from the web article by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain....

Israel
| unmanned aerial vehicle
|
| 4
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport Aircraft
Military transport aircraft
Military transport aircraft are typically fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft which are used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the surface of the planet, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in...

|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules

C-130 Hercules

United States
| tactical airlift

Airlift

Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...

/transport

Military transport aircraft

Military transport aircraft are typically fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft which are used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the surface of the planet, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in...

| C-130K (L-382)
| 2
|-----
| Antonov An-32

Antonov An-32

The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...

|
| tactical airlift/transport
| An-32B
| 7
|-----
| Harbin Y-12

Harbin Y-12

-See also:-Bibliography:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5....

Mainland China
| utility aircraft

Utility aircraft

A utility aircraft is a general-purpose light plane or helicopter, usually used for transporting people or freight, but also for other duties when a more specialised aircraft is not required or available....

/trainer
| Y-12 / Y-12(IV)
| 9
|-----
| Xian MA60

Xian MA60

|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...

|
| tactical airlift/transport
| MA-60
| 2
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | 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...

s
|-----
| Mil Mi-24

Mil Mi-24

|
| 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...

| Mi-35P/Mi-24V/Mi-24P/Mi-24N
| 14
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Support and Transport Helicopters
Military helicopter
A military helicopter is a helicopter that is either specifically built or converted for use by military forces. A military helicopter's mission is a function of its design or conversion...

|-----
| Mil Mi-17

Mil Mi-17

The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...

|
| troop transport
| Mi-17
| 13
|-----
| Bell 412

Bell 412

United States
| utility helicopter

Utility helicopter

A Utility Helicopter is a multi-purpose helicopter. A utility military helicopter can fill roles such as ground attack, air assault, cargo, surveillance and troop transport. Their size is generally between cargo helicopters and light observation helicopters....

/VIP transport

Very Important Person

A Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...

| 412EP
| 8
|-----
| Bell 212 Twin Huey
|

United States
| troop transport/MEDEVAC

MEDEVAC

Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...

|
| 18
|-----
| Bell 206 JetRanger

Bell 206

United States
| light utility helicopter

Utility helicopter

/trainer
| 206A/B
| 8
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer Aircraft
Trainer (aircraft)
A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows...

|-----
| Hongdu K-8 Karakorum

Hongdu JL-8

Mainland China/

Nanchang CJ-6

-See also:-External links:***...

Mainland China
| Basic Prop Trainer
| PT-6
| 8
|-----
| Cessna 150

Cessna 150

The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane, that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.The Cessna 150 is the seventh most produced civilian plane ever, with 23,839 aircraft produced...

United States
| Basic Trainer
| 150L
| 10

Future equipment

Immediate procurement plans

According to the June 2009 issue of Airforces Monthly, two Harbin Y-12 IV transports with weather radar are being procured as existing Y-5s lack this capability. An additional Beechcraft Super King Air is also being procured as well as two additional CJ-6 training aircraft; currently only two are operational. Further Mil Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters are also being procured in a recent deal with Russia. According to the July 2009 edition of Airforces Monthly, four Mi-17 helicopters have been purchased although the numbers of Mi-24 being bought was not disclosed. Six MA60 transport aircraft are also being procured from China.

Long term procurement plans

Since 2007, the Sri Lanka Air Force has been planning to increase its interceptor capability with the acquisition of Mikoyan MiG-29

Mikoyan MiG-29

The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other...

s from Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

. It also hopes to expand its maritime patrols with long range aircraft suited for the purpose, and re-establish No. 3 Maritime Squadron

No. 3 Squadron SLAF

No. 3 Maritime Squadron is a maritime patrol squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It was disbanded in the late 1980s and it aircraft taken over by the No...

.

Also according to the June 2009 issue of Airforces Monthly the aging Mig-27s and Kfirs may also be retired in the near future with the winding down of combat operations. The favoured replacement will be the Mig-29; despite rumours none have yet been inducted into the air force. The air force is also looking at procurement of a dedicated maritime patrol aircraft.

However with the end of the civil war, the SLAF as changed its priorities and have step its long term goal of modernizing its air craft and developing its air defense capability. It has developed its own R&D program to develop UAVs and plan on replacing its fighter aircraft. There have been claims that SLAF is looking at PAC JF-17 Thunder as a replacement for its Kfirs and MiG-27s.

Current deployments

As of present, most of the Sri Lankan Air Force is deployed for domestic defensive and combat operations, while a limited foreign deployment is maintained.

Domestic

Due to the Sri Lankan Civil War

Sri Lankan civil war

the air force has been on a constant mobilized (including reservist

Reservist

A reservist is a person who is a member of a military reserve force. They are otherwise civilians, and in peacetime have careers outside the military. Reservists usually go for training on an annual basis to refresh their skills. This person is usually a former active-duty member of the armed...

) state since the 1980s (except for a brief period from 2002–2005).

Air & ground operations are carried out from 20 bases around the country which includes 6 air bases with resident squadrons, 8 forward operational airfields, 4 ground stations and 2 SLAF Regiment detachments.
Security of the Katunayake International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...

is maintained by the SLAF Regiment.
Ground based air defence of vital infrastructure are carried out by the SLAF Regiment.

Foreign

Since 2004 the air force personal have been attached to Sri Lankan contingent to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
The United Nations Stabilisation Mission In Haiti , also known as MINUSTAH, an acronym of the French translation, is a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti that has been in operation since 2004. The mission's military component is led by the Brazilian Army and the force commander is...

.

Training

Under the guidance of the British Royal Air Force, flight training was first offered to Royal Ceylon Air Force pilots at RAF Negombo

Bandaranaike International Airport

, an RAF air base at Katunayake

Katunayake

Katunayake , is a town situated on the west coast of the island of Sri Lanka near Negombo and close to the commercial capital of Colombo. It is the site of Bandaranaike International Airport, the primary international air gateway to Sri Lanka...

, in 1952. In addition, a number of cadet officers received flight training at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell

Cranwell

Cranwell is a village situated in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. It is part of the Civil Parish of Cranwell and Byard's Leap and is located 3.95 miles north-north-west of Sleaford and 16.3 miles south-east of the county town of Lincoln...

, England. After the British withdrew from their military facilities in Sri Lanka in 1967, No. 1 Squadron (Flight Training School) was established at SLAF China Bay in Trincomalee. With the increase in Tamil separatist activities in the mid-1980s, the air force stepped up its training activities, bringing in foreign pilots to assist in the helicopter training program.

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University located at Kandawala, Ratmalana, Colombo, is a joint services academy where cadets of the three wings Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force are trained before they go for their pre-commission training to their academies...

(KDU) formed in 1981 and situated in Ratmalana, fourteen kilometers south of Colombo, is Sri Lanka's only university specializing in defense studies. Each year, approximately fifty cadets from all three services are admitted to the university (aged 18–22) to participate in a three-year program of academic work and basic training.

Senior officers

Military rank

Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...

of the ranks of Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...

and Wing Commander

Wing Commander (rank)

Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...

are given advanced training and education at the Defence Services Command and Staff College
Defence Services Command and Staff College
The Defence Services Command and Staff College is situated at Batalanda, Makola 12 Kilometers away from Colombo and its aim to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of experienced officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy & the Sri Lanka Air Force to prepare them for the ranks...

(DSCSC) at Batalanda, Makola which was established in 1997 as the Army Command and Staff College or at the SLAF Junior Command & Staff College
Sri Lanka Air Force Junior Command & Staff College
Sri Lanka Air Force Junior Command & Staff College is the Sri Lanka Air Force academic establishment providing training and education primarily to the mid-career officers of SLAF as well as to limited number of officers from Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Army and officers of various Allied forces...

at SLAF China Bay

SLAF China Bay

in Trincomalee

Trincomalee

Trincomalee is a port city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka and lies on the east coast of the island, about 113 miles south of Jaffna. It has a population of approximately 100,000 . The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. Overlooking the Kottiyar Bay,...

.

Basic officer training is carried out at the Air Force Academy at SLAF China Bay in Trincomalee

Trincomalee

. The academy offers a two-year program of basic flight training and a variety of specialized courses. Pilot training was carried out at SLAF Anuradhapura by No. 1 Flying Training Wing using Cessna 150

Cessna 150

s for basic training and Nanchang CJ-6 (PT-6) aircraft for intermediate training. This has since been moved to SLAF China Bay. Advanced jet training is carried out by No. 14 Squadron in K-8 Karakorums also based at SLAF China Bay. Specialized training for different types of aircraft is carried out by the respective Squadrons; this includes F-7 Skybolt, Kfir TC.2 and MiG-23UB aircraft used for this purpose by No. 5 Jet Squadron, No. 10 Fighter Squadron and No. 12 Squadron respectively at SLAF Katunayake. For training of transport pilots, Harbin Y-12s of No. 8 Light Transport Squadron are used; Bell 206s are used for helicopter training.

Initial Ground Combat Training for both officers and other ranks of both regular and volunteer forces, are carried out separately at SLAF Diyatalawa

SLAF Diyatalawa

SLAF Diyatalawa is the Sri Lanka Air Force station in Diyatalawa. It is the primary ground combat training center for SLAF Regiment and other person...

in the garrison town of Diyatalawa

Diyatalawa

Diyatalawa is a garrison town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, in the Badulla District of Uva Province. It is at an altitude of and has become a popular destination for local holiday makers...

, it also conducts advanced training for SLAF regiment officer cadets. Following training at SLAF Diyatalawa, general duties (pilot) branch officer cadets are sent to the Air Force Academy for flight training, and airmen and airwomen are sent to Advanced & Specialized Trade Training School for specialized training in different trades. Air traffic controllers receive schooling at special facilities in Colombo as well as officer cadets from other branches. In addition, approximately twenty-five officers a year receive advanced training abroad, most commonly in Britain, India and, in recent years, at the United States Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...

.

Training establishments

Air Force Academy - SLAF China Bay
SLAF Junior Command & Staff College
Sri Lanka Air Force Junior Command & Staff College
Sri Lanka Air Force Junior Command & Staff College is the Sri Lanka Air Force academic establishment providing training and education primarily to the mid-career officers of SLAF as well as to limited number of officers from Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Army and officers of various Allied forces...

- SLAF China Bay
Training Wing - SLAF Diyatalawa
Advanced & Specialized Trade Training School - SLAF Ekala
Combat Training School - SLAF China Bay
NCO Management School - SLAF China Bay
Basic Trade Training School - SLAF Katunayake
Regimental Training Centre - SLAF Ampara
Gunner Training School - SLAF Palaly

Training Squadrons

No. 1 Flying Training Wing
No. 1 Wing SLAF
No. 1 Flying Training Wing currently based at SLAF China Bay, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.-History:...

- SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...
No. 14 Squadron
No. 14 Squadron SLAF
No. 14 Squadron is a training squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the Hongdu JL-8 from SLAF China Bay for advanced jet training.-External links:**...

- SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...

SLAF Regiment

The Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment is a ground combat corps within the Sri Lanka Air Force, responsible for capturing and defending airfields and associated installations. Effectively, its members are the SLAF's soldiers. SLAF Regiment is responsible for protecting all its air bases and installations using infantry and light armored units. Ground based air defense of vital military and civil installations is carried out by this Regiment.

SLAF Regiment Special Force

Regiment Special Force is an elite Special Forces unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force, part of the SLAF Regiment. It provides highly effective land-based defence and beyond-forward-defence-line assault capabilities.

Air Force Police

Air Force Police (AFP) is responsible for maintaining discipline and enforcement of law and order within the SLAF and its establishments. Members of the AFP are distinguished by their white-topped caps and red 'AFP' flashes on the sleeve of their uniforms.

Sri Lanka Air Force Helitours

The Sri Lanka Air Force has launched domestic flight routes to provide a service to the people traveling to Jaffna in the north, Trincomalee in the north east, and to Seegiriya. As the SLAF is not a commercial organization this aviation service was mainly built up as a non-profit public service. Helitours has been in operation since 1983 but due to the civil war operations were restricted. The SLAF is once again launching frequent flights and besides Helitours, it is also operating charter flights to give the people a further choice and reliable service.

Currently Harbin Y-12 fixed-wing aircraft are being used for passenger transportation. An Antonov An-32

Antonov An-32

will also be in operation in the near future to provide more capacity along with six Xian MA60

Xian MA60

|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...

s. All the charter flights are commenced from Ratmalana Air Force Base.

Sri Lanka Air Force museum

The Sri Lanka Air Force museum is the only national museum dedicated entirely to aviation and the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The museum was first established in 1993 as the Aircraft Preservation and Storage Unit at Air Force Base Ratmalana and was reopened on 5 November 2009 after redevelopment. The museum consists of historic aircraft, vehicles, uniforms and weapons. The museum premises are divided into sections; main hangar, outdoor exhibits and hangar numbers 1, 2 and 3.

Notable fallen members

Over 23,790 Sri Lankan armed forces personnel were killed since begin of the civil war in 1981 to its end in 2009, this includes one air officer

Air Officer

s killed in active duty.. 659 service personnel were killed due to the second JVP insurrection from 1987 to 1990. 53 service personnel were killed and 323 were wounded in the first JVP insurrection from 1971 to 1972. Notable fallen members includes;

Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

Shirantha Goonatilake
Shirantha Goonatilake
Air Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake RWP, RSP, SLAF was Sri Lankan aviator and most senior Air Force officer to be killed in action...

- Commanding Officer, No. 1 Flying Training Wing
No. 1 Wing SLAF
No. 1 Flying Training Wing currently based at SLAF China Bay, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.-History:...
Group Captain
Group Captain
Group 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...

D. S. Wickramasinghe - Senior Staff Officer, Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering
Group Captain
Group Captain
Group 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...

Roger Weerasinghe - Zonal Commander, Northern Zone
Group Captain
Group Captain
Group 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, No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron
Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...

Thilina Kaluarachchi - Officer Commanding Operations, No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron

Women in the Sri Lanka Air Force

The first female officers to join the air force were in 1972, to the Volunteer Air Force

Sri Lanka Volunteer Air Force

The Sri Lanka Volunteer Air Force is the volunteer reserve element of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its current mission is to provide trained personnel in support of the Sri Lanka Air Force, specifically No. 3 Squadron, SLAF Regiment and Airfield Construction Squadron...

, today women are recruited to both the regular and volunteer

Sri Lanka Volunteer Air Force

forces as both officers and airwomen to the SLAF Women's Wing. However there are no female pilots in the air force. Although female officers are not able to join the general duties pilot branch, they can join any other branch including the SLAF Regiment

Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment

The Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment is a specialized ground combat corps within the Sri Lanka Air Force , responsible for capturing and defending airfields and associated installations. Its members are the SLAF Regiment Officers and the airmen of operations ground specialization...

and the Air Force Police.

External links

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Mission statement

History

Early days

1980s & 1990s

2000–2010

Major combat operations

Air Force Headquarters

Zonal Commands

Air Defense Command

Flying Squadrons

Branches and Trades

Aircraft Inventory

Future equipment

Current deployments

Domestic

Foreign

Training

SLAF Regiment

SLAF Regiment Special Force

Air Force Police

Sri Lanka Air Force Helitours

Sri Lanka Air Force museum

Notable fallen members

Women in the Sri Lanka Air Force

See also

Further reading

External links