Sri Lanka Air Force Totally Explained

Everything about The Sri Lanka Air Force totally explained

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is the aerial defence division and the youngest of the Sri Lankan Tri Forces. Founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF), it relied on the British Royal Air Force for its earliest equipment, training, and commanders. The Air Force plays a major role in the ongoing war against Tamil terrorists. Although Sri Lanka is only a small island state, its Air Force has a long history of involvement in the ongoing civil war. A force commander leads the service and its operational headquarters are located in Colombo. 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 theater.
The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Mission Statement

The mission statement 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 ammunition, food, 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 personal who where seconded to the RCyAF. The first aircraft of the RCyAF was the De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk used as basic trainers which was followed by Boulton Paul Balliol T.MK 2s and Airspeed Oxford MK 1s for advanced training of pilots and aircrew along with De Havilland Doves and De Havilland Herons for transport use provided by the British. First helicopters to be added to the service were Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly. These were supplemented in the 1960s with various other aircraft most notably United States Bell Jetranger Helicopters and a Hindustan Pushpak gifted by India.
   In 1959 for the first time jet aircraft were acquired which where De Havilland Vampires. However the RCyAF didn't put them into operational use and soon replaced them with five Hunting Jet Provost obtained from the British, which were formed into the No. 5 Jet Squadron. These were used in combat during the 1971 Insurrection when, for the first time the Royal Ceylon Air Force went in to combat.
   During this insurgency, the left-leaning Bandaranaike government turned to the Soviet Union for more sophisticated weaponry, and received five MiG-17F fighter bombers, a MiG-15 UTI Midget trainer, as well as two Ka-26 helicopters meant for search and rescue and casualty evacuation. The RAFs heavy transports also flew in six Bell 47-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 troops joined in ground operations and when the insurgents surrendered after about a months fighting the SLAF was in charge of three, of the many rehabilitation camps setup for insurgents.
   With the closure of Air Ceylon in 1978, its Avro 748 transport aircraft was taken over by the SLAF.
   Because of a shortage of funds for military expenditures in the wake of the 1971 uprising, the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron began operating commercial transportation services for foreign tourists under the name of Helitours. 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.
   By the early 1980s, the Provosts and all of the Soviet aircraft had been taken out of active service and were relegated to long-term storage, leaving the air force without any fighter/bomber capability.
   Rapid growth began in the mid-1980s, when the Sri Lankan Civil War against Tamil separatists drew the service into a major, long-term security role. During Eelam War I, 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.

1980's & 1990's

After the 1983 riots, the government worked rapidly to expand the inventory, relying largely on sources in Italy, Britain, and the United States. Because of tight budget constraints, the air force was compelled to refit a number of non combat aircraft for military uses in counter-terrorist operations against LTTE terrorists. From the period 1983 to 1985, the Air Force acquired 11 Bell 212 helicopters, 4 Bell 412 helicopters, 3 Siai Marchetti SF 260s, 2 Cessna 337s, 1 Avro 748 and 2 Beechking. By 1985, 9 more Bell 212s were added to the fleet, along with 4 Bell 412s. The 412s along with 3 Siai Marchetti SF 260 fixed-wing turbo prop aircraft advanced the attack capabilities of SLAF. Central in the government's security efforts were six SIAI Marchetti SF.260 turboprop which were used for rocket attacks and strafing. Additionally, the air force, with the help of Heli Orient of Singapore, equipped twelve Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters to serve as gunships and as transport vehicles for highly successful commando 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 turboprop transport aircraft. These were equipped with bomb racks that had been fitted to carry up to 1,000 kilograms of fragmentation and antipersonnel bombs. Transport, training, and surveying functions were carried out by a variety of Cessna and DeHavilland aircraft. In 1987 during the Vadamarachchi Operation the air force mustered 1 Avro, 2 Y-12s and 1 Heron, all configured as improvised bombers. 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 the attack capability the air force in 1991 acquired four F-7 Skybolts, three FT-7s and two Shenyang J-5s from China. Later in 1993 the first of 3 Mi-17 helicopter transports were acquired along with four FMA IA 58 Pucarás for ground attack. These proved to be effective but three of the Pucara's were lost, two due the SAMs launched by the LTTE. The sole remaining Pucara was retired in 1999 due to lack of spare parts. In 1995 Mi-24 gunships were acquired for close air support for the army and by 2001 Mi-35s were added to the fleet .
   In 1996 Sri Lankan Air Force acquired six Kfir C.2s and a single TC.2 from Israel and further more nine aircraft had been added to the inventory by year 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 is using these Kfirs to attack against Tamil separatist targets in rebel controlled areas of the island.

21st century

In 2000 new aircraft were acquired apart from the additions of Kfir C.7s and Mi-35s, these included six Mikoyan MiG-27 dedicated ground attack aircraft (obtained due to lack of specialized ground attack aircraft since the retirement of the Pucarás), a MiG-23UB trainer and two C-130 Hercules for heavy transport. Six K-8 Karakorum trainers were soon bought from Pakistan creating the No. 14 Squadron to train pilots for the newly expanded fleet of jets.
On July 24, 2001, Thirteen aircraft including two Kfir jet fighters, one Mi-24 Helicopter gun ship, one MiG-27 jet fighter and 3 Srilanka Airlines planes were destroyed in the predawn attack on the SLAF Katunayake air base, about 35 km. north of Colombo by the LTTE. Three military trainee planes and five civilian jets were also among the destroyed aircraft.(External Link

) Many of these aircraft were replaced. Sri Lanka's 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 also built around the terminals and the control towers to prevent impact from car bomb attacks, while a large number of sentries were placed along the approach roads to the facility. All airports including the Katunayake International airport is heavily guarded by members of the SLAF Regiment.
Currently the SLAF operates two TC.2s, two C.7s, eight C.2s and seven Mig-27s and one MIG-23UB trainer. The SLAF uses these ground attack aircraft on attacks against Tamil separatist targets in rebel controlled areas of the island.
On October 22 2007 a ground attack by the LTTE on SLAF Anuradhapura at Saliyapura in the early hours, which was supported briefly by its air wing resulted in destroying 8 aircraft and damaging several. The attack only affected the SLAF's training element. Early 2008 the air force received six F-7Gs, these will be primarily used as interceptors and are attached to the No.5 Jet Squadron.

Organisation

Air Force Headquarters

The professional head of the air force is the Commander of the Air Force, at present Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake and 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. He is assisted by the Chief of Staff, at present Air Vice Marshal P.B. Premachandra, who along with Directors comprise the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Zonal Commands

The air force has four zonal commands, each under the control of an air officer for effective command and administrative control. This is in order to efficiently command and control all flying squadrons, air crafts and air defenses. Zonal Commanders are responsible for both air and ground operations that had 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

Branches and Trades

General Duties Pilot Branch - Pilots and Navigators (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 control SLAF aircraft from the ground as well as combat gound units.

Technical Signal Branch - Mainitains SLAF communications includes Air Signallers.

Engineering Wing - Engineering Officers and technicians are employed to maintain and repair the equipment used by the RAF. Also includes;

Equipment Branch
Air Field Construction Branch

SLAF Regiment - Officers and Gunners, they've infantry, paratrooper and light armoured units to protect against ground attack and defend against air attack with ground-to-air defence units.

SLAF Regiment Special Force - The elite special forces unit of the SLAF.

Air Force Police - Military police of the SALF and are located wherever the SLAF is located.

SLAF Women's Wing

Medical & Dental Branch

Aircraft Inventory

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

- ! ignore="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack and Offensive Support Aircraft |

- | IAI Kfir | | Fighter-bomber

Conversion Trainer |C2/C7

TC2 | 9

2 |

- | Chengdu F-7 | | Interceptor

Fighter-bomber

Conversion Trainer |F-7G

F-7BS

FT-7 | 6

3 |

- ! ignore="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Reconnaissance and Maritime Patrol Aircraft |

- | Cessna 421 Golden Eagle | | Maritime Reconnaissance | | 1 |

- | RQ-2 Pioneer | /
| Unmanned aerial vehicle | | N/K |

- | IAI Scout | | Unmanned aerial vehicle | | N/K |

- ! ignore="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport Aircraft |

- | Lockheed C-130 Hercules | | Tactical Airlift/Transport | C-130K (L-382) | 2 |

- | Antonov An-32 Cline | | Tactical Airlift/Transport | An-32B | 7 |

- | Harbin Y-12 | | Utility aircraft | | 7 |

- ! ignore="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack Helicopters |

- ! ignore="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Support and Transport Helicopters |

- | Bell 212 Twin Huey | | Troop Transport/MEDEVAC | | 9 |

- ! ignore="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer Aircraft |

- | Hongdu K-8 Karakorum | /
| Advanced Jet Trainer | | 6 |

- | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23UB Flogger-C | | Conversion Trainer | | 1
|

- | Nanchang CJ-6 (PT-6) | | Intermediate Prop Trainer | | 6 |

- | Cessna 150 | | Basic Prop Trainer | Ce-150L | 10 |}

Flying Squadrons

No. 1 Flying Training Wing

No. 2 Heavy Transport Squadron

No. 4 (VIP) Helicopter Squadron

No. 5 Jet Squadron

No. 6 Helicopter Squadron

No. 7 Helicopter Squadron

No. 8 Light Transport Squadron

No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron

No. 10 Fighter Squadron

No. 11 UAV Flight

No. 14 Squadron

Training

Under the auspices of the British Royal Air Force, flight training was first offered to Royal Ceylon Air Force pilots at RAF Negombo, a RAF air base at Katunayake in 1952. In addition, a number of cadet officers received flight training at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, England. After the British in 1967 withdrew from their military facilities in Sri Lanka, the No 1 Squadron (Flight Training School) was established at the 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 (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 of the ranks of Squadron Leader and Wing Commander are given advanced training and education at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Batalanda, Makola which was established in 1997 as the Army Command and Staff College.
Basic officer training is carried out at the Air Force Academy at the SLAF China Bay in Trincomalee. The academy offers a two-year program of basic flight training and a variety of specialized courses. Pilot training is carried out at SLAF Anuradhapura by No. 1 Flying Training Wing using Cessna 150 for basic and Nanchang CJ-6 (PT-6) for intermediate training. Advanced jet training is carried out by the No. 14 Squadron in K-8 Karakorum based at SLAF Katukurunda. Specialized training for different types of air craft is carried out by the respective Squadrons, this includes MiG-23UB, FT-7 and KfirTC.2 are used by the No. 5 Jet Squadron and No. 10 Fighter Squadron respectively, for this propose at SLAF Katukurunda and for training for transports, Harbin Y-12s of the No. 8 Light Transport Squadron are used along with Bell 206 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 in the garrison town of Diyatalawa, it also conducts advanced training for SLAF regiment officer cadets. Following training at SLAF Diyatalawa general 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 triads. 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.

Training establishments

Air Force Academy - SLAF China Bay

Training Wing - SLAF Diyatalawa

Advanced & Specialized Trade Training School - SLAF Ekala

Combat Training School - SLAF China Bay

Junior Command & Staff College - 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 - SLAF Anuradhapura

No. 14 Squadron - SLAF Katukurunda

Air Strikes

Below are some images of recent air strikes carried out by the SLAF.
Image:Airstrike2.JPG| Image:Airstrike3.JPG| Image:Airstrike4.JPG| Image:Airstrike1.JPG|

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 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 base 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.

Personal

Notable fallen members

Air Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake - Commanding Officer Flying Training Wing

Women in the Sri Lanka Air Force

The first female officers to join the air force were in 1972, to the Volunteer Air Force, today women are recruited to both the regular and volunteer 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 and the Air Force Police.

Further Information

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