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| SLAF Special Air Borne Force (SABF) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1951–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 Headquarters |
| Anniversaries | 7 July |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) (Sinhalese: ශ්රි ලංකා ගුවන් හමුදාව Sri Lanka Guwan Hamudawa) (Tamil: இலங்கை விமானப்படை Ilaṅkai Vimāṉappaṭai) is the air arm and the youngest division of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SLAF played a major role throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War. Their purpose includes various duties to the Commander of the Air Force.
The SLAF operates more than 160 aircraft and has a projected trained strength of 27,400 airmen and 1,300 officers, who are from both regular and reserve service. 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 theaters, but is also capable of high- and low-level air defense.
In 1989, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna attacked the civil people and the security forces. The security of “Magazine” prison was handed over to Sri Lanka Air Force under the command of Squadron leader Rathna Kumara. From Air Force Headquarters to Dehiwala Bridge also secured by vehicles patrols by the Air Force. During a vehicle patrol flight lieutenant, Wishwa Samarakoon and 12,038 Aircraft men Rajapaksha was killed by an attack of JVP near “Mangala Street”.
Because of this 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 4 officers and 18 other rankers, the team was formed. The Ministry of Defense allowed them to do their duties by using civil number plated vehicles in Gampaha and Kaluthara Districts. The Army and Navy had also formed such teams, but they had used their identities to do some illegal activities. (As an 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 complaint 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 3 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 3 OMT’s and 1 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. In 1992, SABF was transferred to Air force Camp Morawewa.
This era LTTE attacks were increased in Colombo area. On 16 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 SABF is responsible for :
- Providing security duties to the Commander of the Air Force.
- Performing VVIP / VIP Security Duties as directed by the Commander of the Air Force.
- Performing 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.
- Carrying out hostage Rescue Missions.
- Carrying out Covert Combined Operations/Special missions with SL Army, SL Navy as directed by the Commander of the Air Force.
Training
SABF personnel is specialized in VIP Protection, bomb disposal, firefighting, 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