Air bravado at gallantry awards

Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

K-8 Aircraft	Kaffir fighter jet

It was a bright and sunny morning at the China Bay, Air Force grounds last Saturday where presentation of the President’s Colours took place. The ceremony commenced around 9.50.a.m with the arrival of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the chief guest on the occasion.

The parade ground overlooking the emerald waters of the sea lagoon in the distant was picturesque as President Mahinda Rajapaksa awarded the President’s Colours to 59 Commissioned Officers, 11 Warrant Officers and 587 Airmen including 33 Airwomen. Members of the clergy representing Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Catholics and Christian faiths invoked blessings before the ceremony commenced.

The ceremony began with the unwrapping of five flags draped in dark purple velvet clothing by the five commissioned officers. They stood erect with the flags held against their bodies.

The President, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, then planted each flag in the pouch worn by officers, a tradition practised for investiture of colours.

The ceremony culminated with an astute parade composing of several squads of Airmen in their ceremonial garb led by officers. They marched to the music of the Air Force band past the dais where President Rajapaksa took the salute.

The Defence Secretary, the Chief of Staff, the three Service Chiefs, the IGP, senior armed services and police officials and VIPs were present on the occasion.

It is interesting to know that gallantry awards such as the `Weera Wickrama Vibushana’, `Ranawickrama’ and `Ranashura’ had been awarded in the past for the rank and file for gallantry. Several officers and Airmen had sacrificed their lives in the battle field during the past few decades.

Following a brief pause after the ceremonial parade three MIG aircarft roared above the pavilion in a V formation showing their air prowess. This was followed by several attack helicopters flying in formation carrying the regiment flags and Kaffir aircraft cris crossing the sky.

MI-24 Helicopters

C-130 Troop carrier

Pic: Tilak Perera