Kfir, the dare-devil air monster

Dhaneshi YATAWARA

They are the stealthy warriors of the sky. Precision targeting is their strength. The Kfirs of the Sri Lanka Air Force - are the Number One warriors of the sky in the hard battle against terrorism.

The birth

`Lion Cubs’ of the sky - the Kfir Squadron

When the terrorists acquired missiles, the Sri Lanka Air Force faced the greatest threat. As a result it lost a number of aircraft with many service personnel and civilians on board. It was when intense fighting between the LTTE and the Security Forces were taking place in both the North and the East of the country, the need for an aircraft with a greater weapons carrying capability and speed was in wanting. -Hence, the Kfirs were the obvious choice which marked the birth of a new generation of fighters of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

This product of the Israeli Aircraft Industries - Kfirs (Lion Cub in Hebrew) - the all weather multi-role combat aircraft with Israeli expertise and Israeli made version of the General Electric J79 turbo jet engine suited our requirements in countering a formidable enemy who was rapidly developing its military capabilities.

The Kfir Squadron or officially known in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) as the No. 10 Fighter Jet Squadron was formed in January 5, 1996 at the SLAF Katunayake Base with six Kfir multi-role fighter jets acquired from Israel. The lot included five C.2 type aircraft and a TC.2 type aircraft. The C.2s are single seater aircraft with advanced aerodynamic features and the TC.2 is a double seater aircraft mainly used as a training variant.

Since its inception, the No. 10 Fighter Jet Squadron continued to render a magnificent service to the nation while keeping the Air Force ensign flying high. Their motto is, “total success in operations during day and night with right attitude, right training and full-time readiness.”

At the beginning the squadron was established with only six pilots, four engineers and 70 technicians along with the six aircraft.

Fitted with an advanced intelligence information network and using maximum technology, the squadron displayed high standards of accuracy and lethality along with the dedication and experience of the pilots and the expert technical crew.

In 2000, the squadron was reinforced with eight more aircraft and one more two seater trainer. This increased the fleet to fifteen aircraft with two twin seat trainer aircraft. The Air Force broadened its capabilities with the addition of the C7 variant equipped with advanced avionics on board. The C7 is a vastly modified variant with an improved engine offering more thrust at full afterburner.

With the advanced technical know-how of the engineering team the SLAF is capable of doing almost all the repairs of aircraft instead of sending parts abroad even for a simple repair.

Maximum attrition

The main role of the squadron is carrying out counter air operations and counter surface force operations. Extending close air support, air interdiction and interception, battlefield air interdiction and maritime air operations which include anti-shipping and maritime strife are their key duties. The Kfirs with their formidable firepower and accuracy were able to destroy and neutralise the strong strategic locations and artillery positions of the LTTE. The pinpoint strikes by the Kfirs killing the LTTE’s Political Wing Leader S.P. Thamilselvan and a group of LTTE cadres with him on November 2, 2007 bears strong testimony to its capabilities. It was an enormous setback for the LTTE and its support circle, both local and international.

Destruction of LTTE’s artillery positions located at Kalmunai point and Pooneryn that were pounding the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters at Palali was a psychological relief for the ground troops.

Eyes and brains

Receiving colours from President Mahinda Rajapaksa Pix: Thilak Perera

In operations, precision doesn’t rely on the technology alone. The eyes and brains controlling the machine have a greater commitment.

The machine can only guide the pilot with correct data input. Accuracy of the target greatly relies on the expertise of the man behind the machine - the pilot.

Becoming a Kfir pilot is really laborious. From basic pilot training to the advanced and then to the training in MiGs only gives the green light for a SLAF pilot to handle a Kfir. It requires high expertise to control and maintain this “Lion Cub”.Pilots are fired upon most of the time when they carry out their missions. A lots of hardships are braved by them day in and day out solely due to their understanding of the need of the hour.

Rightly rewarded

Since its inception the No. 10 Kfir Fighter Jet squadron has carried more than 2,800 hours of operational flying and have dropped over 3,500 tons of bombs on enemy targets. Today the squadron stands as the vanguard in the Sri Lanka Air Force offensive against the LTTE terrorism.

In recognition of individual acts of gallantry by the Kfir pilots in the line of duty, two `Weera Wickrama Vibushanas’, eight `Rana Wickrama Padakkamas’ and eight `Rana Soora Padakkamas’ have been awarded.

On March 08, 2009 the President Mahinda Rajapaksa awarded the No. 10 Fighter Jet Squadron with the President’s colours for their unique and enduring contribution to eliminate the menace of terrorism which pestered the island nation for over three decades.

‘Precision targeting our forte’

The Kfirs, played a significant role in our fight against LTTE terrorism, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonetileke said stressing that it was their high capability for precision bombing which paralysed the enemy’s fighting capabilities.

Air Marshal Roshan Goonetileke

“It is a tough job. Operating oneself as a fighter pilot is unique. A fighter pilot has to be swift and accurate in his senses. It all depends on his reflexes,” Air Marshal Goonetileke said. For a pilot, assessing the data input from the aircraft, diving and attacking a terror position precisely is highly demanding, he added.

Many ground offensives and manoeuvres were put into action in almost all its operations since the birth of this squadron. “Yet, it was with the onset of the humanitarian operation in 2006, the Kfir Squadron was able to manipulate their full capabilities,” Air Force Commander highlighted.

He said that this actually proved their capability of delivering precise and timely attacks on the strong and decisive points of the LTTE. Their proven track record was put on to test during the humanitarian operations conducted in the East in 2006. Destroying a sea vessel carrying arms and weapon supplies to the LTTE in the seas off Mullaitivu, injuring the LTTE leadership including Prabhakaran as well as killing some of the leaders are real highlights of their proven track record, Air Force Commander stated praising the unique contribution of the No. 10 Fighter Jet Squadron.

When the LTTE delivered hard resistance under the cover of hardened shelters slowing the advancement of the Army, the Air Force Kfir squadron’s air support effectively reduced the resistance. “Pilots were with high self driven motivation.

As the Commander, I only had to instruct them in their operations and there was no need for me to take that extra step and motivate these pilots.

That gave certainty for me as well as to the entire Air Force,” the confident Commander remarked.With great reliance on the squadron, Air Marshal Goonetileke added with the versatile nature of the aircraft and the expertise of the pilots the Kfir squadron will have a major role to play even after the scourge of LTTE terrorism is eliminated.