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| SLAF Special Air Borne Force (SABF) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1990–present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Special operations, VIP Protection, Anti- Hijack |
| Part of | Directorate Of Ground Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | SLAF Head quarters |
| Anniversaries | 7 July |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
In 1989 Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna was attacking to the civil people and the security forces. The security of “Magazine” prison was handed over to Sri lanka Air Force under the comman of Squadron leader Rathna kumara. from Air force Head quarters to Dehiwala Bridge also secured by vehicles patrols by the Air force. During a vehicle patrol flight lieutenant Wishwa samarakoon and 12038 Air craftman Rajapaksha was killed by an attack of JVP near “Mangala Street”. Beacuase of these kind of attacks Air commodore Oliver Ranasinghe who was holding the appointment of Director Air Operations those days commanded to form a counter-insurgency team. Including 04 officers 18 other rankers the team was formed. Ministry of defense allowed them to do their duties by using civil number plated vehicles in Gampaha and Kaluthara Districts. Army and navy also had formed such teams. But they had use their identities to do some illegal activities. (As the example a team of army had robbed a businessman at “Makola” and a team of Navy had abused a woman) but the Air force team had done their job according to the instructions without any complain from the public. In 1990 JVP was turned down and Squadron Leader Rathna Kumara was ordered to form a Team similar to “RDF” team which had formed by Army. Special Air Borne Force (SABF) was formed including 03 officers (Flight lieutenant Nihal Kodithuwakku, Flying Officer Pradeep Kannangara, Flying Officer Erik Weerasinghe) and 30 Airmen. They were trained at Air force Station Diyathalawa and 03 OMT’s And 01 Photographer also were enlisted. In July 1990 they were sent to Air Force Camp Palali against LTTE end of 1990 SABF contributed to secure a head of Thailand Air force. That was the first VIP Protection job done by the SABF. 1992 SABF was transferred to Air force Camp Morawewa. This era LTTE attacks were increased in Colombo area. In 16th November 1992 Navy commander Rear Admiral Clancy Fernando was murdered by a LTTE suicide bicycle attack at Galle face. SABF was transferred to Colombo to secure the Air force commander in that period Air Marshal Terance Gunawardane.
Role
The task and role of SABF
- Providing security duties to the Commander of the Air force.
- Performing VVIP / VIP Security Duties as directed by the Commander of the Air Force.
- Perform Covert Counter Terrorist and Special operations as directed by the Commander of the Air Force.
- Carrying out Rescue and anti Hijack Operations as directed by the Commander of the Air Force.
- Carry out hostage Rescue Missions
- Carrying out Covert Combined Operations / Special mission with SL Army, SL Navy as directed by the Commander of the Air Force.
Training
SABF personnel are specialized in VIP Protection, bomb disposal, fire fighting, water survival,anti hijack and rescue operations. Advanced training is carried out at the Sri Lanka Army Special Force training school at Maduruoya, Special Task Force ,S Special Boat service.
See also
- Military of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Air Force
- Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Air Force
- Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
- Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment
- Special Boat Squadron