SLAF salutes heroes

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Surely the airmen did wonders in the sky! The complex skills and the finesse with which they did carry out their missions cannot be achieved overnight. It takes considerable time and great dedication to create such human feats. No doubt the importance of suitable aircraft cannot be underestimated. No wonder our Air Force has become the guardian deity of our sky.

“Their presence in the battlefront was vital. I know the kind of anxiety building up in a soldier’s mind if, by chance, the Air Force fighters get late even half a second. That was the commitment on the part of the Sri Lanka Air Force and they fulfilled it lavishly,” Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said addressing an important gathering where a cross-section of the entire Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) was present. This was the special event the SLAF held to salute their war heroes at the Katunayake SLAF base recently.

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilake firmly believes in working as a team. For him the responsibility of winning the war against terrorism depended on team spirit. Hence only a cross section of the entire Air Force was present at the event to celebrate their victory and to salute the dedication and commitment displayed by the war heroes risking their precious lives! The gathering represented every single section of the Air Force including the fighter squadrons, transport squadrons, engineering, technical, medical and administration staff, logistics and training etc. The SLAF’s prime responsibility was to undertake missions to destroy enemy targets. Hence, their greatest assets are their flying squadrons. From the oldest flying squadron to the youngest were on a grand display with their armaments.

The Bell 212 and 412 helicopters of the No. 7 squadron were the pride of the most experienced flying squadrons in the SLAF. The No. 7 squadron carried out a wide range of transport movements since the Bell 212s were added to the SLAF fleet in 1982. Their main missions were ferrying armed forces personnel, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) flights, VVIP/VIP flights and liaison flights. With the two door gunners on either side the Bell helicopters are capable of landing and carrying out evacuating missions even amidst enemy fire. The Bell squadron provides the fundamental training for helicopter pilots of the SLAF.

The giants, AN 32 (popularly known as Antonov) and Hercules C 130 stood grandly representing the No.2 Squadron of the SLAF. This transport squadron is one of the oldest squadrons. They took the responsibility of transporting Security Forces personnel to the Northern peninsula at a time when the entire ground access to Jaffna was cut off by the LTTE. In addition these “giants” provided transport to Government officials from other parts of the country who were working in Jaffna. Loads of fresh food, tons of medical equipment and medicines were also transported daily in addition to heavy loads of arms and ammunition supplies for the Security Forces deployed in the North. The AN 32 was in operation since 1995 while the Hercules were commissioned in 2000.

Fighter craft

The SLAF is armed to the teeth with attack helicopters as well as jets. The SLAF effectively used these “warriors” in giving maximum attrition to the LTTE terrorists. During the humanitarian missions, the Kfirs - No.10 Squadron carried out the highest number of sorties, crushing and smashing the enemy targets. Since its advent in 1996 the Kfirs have proved highly capable of air and ground attack missions and have supported the Sri Lanka Army and the Navy throughout. They do not attack blindly; before a Kfir takes off a range of activities take place in making the target accurate.

The MiG 27s, the No.12 Squadron is the youngest fighter jet squadron established in 2007. These supersonic fighter bombers are the only air craft in the SLAF with the variable geometrical wings making them highly versatile in the skies. They were the proud owners of many victories during the fourth Eelam war. They were able to demonstrate their well-knitted skills. They were the real “dare devils” who dealt severe Blows to the LTTE.

The No.9 squadron with its MI 24s and HIND attack craft were the best enemy line crushers making direct attack on the enemy defence lines. Their support to the Army troops in their forward marches was vital as was proved in many instances in the fourth Eelam war. They would go to the closest possible point to attack the enemy. Their heavy weapons and bombs easily crushed the enemy lines effectively. Their support was a great morale booster to the ground troops. No wonder the MI24s are called the `battle tank’ of the air.Since its induction in 1993, the MI 17 proved their track record, day and night, facing only minimal threats from the enemy with their highly professional pilots. Exceeding 5000 flying hours and transporting more than 71 tons of cargo and also transporting over 6000 injured soldiers, the MI 17 did an outstanding job in their usual silent manner.

With its unique technical capabilities, MI 17 proved to be the best in evacuation missions not only during confrontations but in natural disasters as well.

When part of a forest is threatened with fire, MI17 will be deployed to douse it, evacuate casualties or transport food, water or medicine where necessary.

The F7 jets officially known as the No.5 Squadron, has its own uniqueness - air to air attack capability. They proved their mettle when the LTTE developed their Air wing and tried to launch attacks on the southern parts of the country. The F7 GS type air craft were inducted

into the SLAF in 2008. They were the only squadron dedicated to dual role. A pilot was always on a 24 hours duty shift in a special cubicle right next to the aircraft.

Such were the exigencies of their service. If the MiGs and Kfirs needed additional support the F7s were kept ready to meet the situation.

The F7 was a part of the Air Defence System as well. The Air Defence system was set up in the SLAF when the LTTE started attacking the commercially and economically important locations in the southern part of the country.

An air Defence system is compulsory for any country. Established in 2006, the system grew in leaps and bounds experiencing a number of trials and errors.

The RADAR guided anti air craft guns were most effective in facing the LTTE threats.

The SLAF unmanned aircraft (UAV) and the beechcraft were the eagle eyes that observed each and every important movement of the enemy. It was the most important `information source’ in carrying out the humanitarian operation. Since their inception in 1983 the beechcraft, similar to a flying operation room, acted as the eye for the ground forces. Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army Divisions were constantly supported by this group watching the ground from staying approximately 15,000 feet high.

It is not just the enemy movements, these two surveillance craft supplied information on civilians’ movements, their habitats enabling the Security Forces to avoid attacking civilian lives.

Their operations were atypical. The outside world gets to know only the result - the damage to the enemy. The hardcore fighters behind the scene and their stories of bravery hardly come into limelight. What matters to them is a job well done. And yet they would continue to be the same!