SLAF celebrate 58th anniversary:
Defending the Nation from dizzy heights
Ranil Wijayapala
The entire Sri Lankan nation saluted the Sri Lanka Air Force when
gallant airmen who were defending the air space shot down two enemy
aircraft which had intruded into the air space of Colombo and Katunayake
on suicide missions.
SLAF fighter jets undergoing routine checks |
Technicians at work |
Assisting ground troops |
An MI 24 attack helicopter |
That was the type of response the nation was expecting from the Sri
Lanka Air Force for the past two years when they saw Tiger aircraft
flying overhead during their aborted missions carried out in Colombo,
Jaffna, Trincomalee and Weli Oya.
Though it was not the first time the Air Force shot down an enemy
aircraft there was a special significance this time as they were eye
witness to the gallant acts of the Air Force. Therefore, the SLAF added
one more feather to the cap of the Sri Lanka Air Force at a time it was
celebrating its 58th anniversary today having established itself as the
Royal Air Force on March 2, 1951.
Most Experienced
At the time the SLAF celebrate its 58th anniversary it has proven its
mettle to stand against any challenge before them as they are maturing
through experience and standing among the most experienced and effective
Air Forces across the globe through their proven skills to take precise
and accurate targets against the enemy.
Though Sri Lanka Air Force possess limited resources compared to
other Air Forces in the world it has set examples to the world
fulfilling a bigger role in combating terrorism on Sri Lankan soil.
“The Sri Lanka Air Force stood against the challenge of facing the
only terror outfit equipped with air capabilities in the world through
our team spirit and we saw the results of our years long commitment to
face this challenge effectively on February 20”, Air Force Commander Air
Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke said as the SLAF marks its 58th anniversary
today amidst the victory achieved against the LTTE.
But it was not a victory achieved overnight. It was after a long and
arduous process with commitment and sacrifices made over the past few
decades that the SLAF could stand on this high pedestal at the time it
is celebrating its 58th anniversary today.
Many changes have taken place within the SLAF over the past few years
to improve the quality and effectiveness and to stand bravely against
the challenge posed by the LTTE.
It was after two years of effort the SLAF could establish an
effective air defence system to face the threat posed by the LTTE. The
initial process to establish the air defence system was started in 2006
and it was able to complete the process establishing radars in Vavuniya,
Palavi, Mirigama and Katunayake.
“It takes a long period to establish an air defence system but we
could expedite the process to face the challenge posed by the LTTE”, Air
Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke said.
Expansion
The Air Force, which had undergone rapid expansion during the tenure
of the present Air Force Commander, has proven its capability to face
any challenging situation with the limited resources available to them.
When developed nations are flying high in the air with their
state-of-the-art flying machines and carrying out air attacks ignoring
the civilian casualties the pilots of the Sri Lanka Air Force have
proved their capabilities by taking precise and accurate targets with
the available flying machines without causing civilian casualties.
Air Marshal
Roshan Goonetileke
RWP & bar, usp, ndc, psc |
Sri
Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonetileke joined
the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General
Duties Pilot Branch on January 13, 1978. On successful
completion of flying training, he was commissioned in the rank
of Pilot Officer on August 24, 1979.
Air Marshal Goonetileke graduated from the Air Command and Staff
College, Air University, Alabama , USA in 1994 and also attended
the prestigious National Defence College in Pakistan in 2001.
He was also the Director of Operations/Deputy Chief of Staff
Operations of the Air Force before being appointed the Chief of
Staff.
During his illustrious career of 28 years, he has held a number
of command, operational and administrative positions. He also
served as an Operational Pilot, Commanding Officer of No. 03
Maritime Squadron and the Commanding Officer of No. 04
Helicopter Wing. In recognition of his distinguished career he
has been awarded the Uttama Seva Padakkama. For the bravery
displayed in conducting operations he has been awarded the
Gallantry Medal `Rana Wickrama Padakkama’ twice. |
“It was due to the commitment, dedication and thorough discipline
that our pilots achieved all these successes”, the Air Force Commander
said.
Throughout the past two and half years commencing from the Mavil Aru
operation the Air Force played a significant role to weaken the LTTE to
its lowest ebb and put them into the position of facing their final
defeat in Puthukudiyiruppu. “We carried out our missions against the
LTTE to break their will to fight and become successful,” the Air Force
Commander says.
The LTTE’s military bases, Tiger leader gatherings, ammo dumps, fuel
dumps, training bases and arms smuggling craft became targets of the
fighter jets and helicopter gunships of the SLAF quite frequently.
The accurate and precise targets taken by pilots of No.10 Kfir
squadron and No.12 MiG squadron had disabled Tigers fighting
capabilities.
Key Role
The precise target taken to kill LTTE Political Wing leader S.P.
Thamilselvan in November 02, 2007 proved the capability of the Air Force
to take targets even within build up areas as they have taken this
target in the thickly populated Kilinochchi town.
Apart from the key role played by the SLAF in destroying LTTE
military capabilities, the Air Force increased its coordination with the
Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy to carry out combined operations
and extend their support to the ground troops in an emergency situation.
The role played by the Air Force helicopters in casualty evacuation
in the battlefront was the biggest contribution made by the SLAF to
boost the morale of the ground troops.
An anti-aircraft gun |
Unlike in the past the Air Force pilots used to land their
helicopters closer to the battlefront when ground troops required their
assistance even at a time of fierce fighting between the ground troops
and LTTE.
“We were always there at a time ground troops needed us, whether it
is for casualty evacuation, troop movement or transport of military
hardware from one place to another. That was a tower of strength to the
ground troops to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently and
was a morale boosting factor for the ground troops”, the Air Force
Commander says commenting on the contribution they made to ground
operations.
The Helicopter Squadron of the Air Force has fulfilled the gigantic
task of supporting the ground troops to evacuate casualties from the
battlefront operating their helicopters round the clock.
“The SLAF expanded its network of casualty evacuation after
affiliating their officers and men to liaise with the Army troops to
coordinate the casualty evacuation process effectively”, the Commander
says.
Support
Casualty evacuation |
Fighter jets ready to take off Pictures by Rukmal Gamage |
The ground troops appreciate the role played by SLAF pilots as they
were aware that there is a strong hand behind them when support needed.
The MI 24 Attack Helicopter Squadron also extended its support to the
ground troops providing them close support to carry out their offensive
operations against the LTTE.
The presence of MI 24 helicopters in the battlefield is a morale
boosting factor for the ground troops as these attack helicopters can
take enemy positions effectively and destroy their heavy guns which have
become obstacles for the ground troops.
Responsibility
Besides the assistance extended to the ground troops the SLAF is also
sharing the responsibility of the ground troops with the establishment
of the Air Force Regiment to fulfil an infantry role in support of the
Sri Lanka Army to hold the ground captured during the Vanni liberation
operation.
The SLAF has deployed 2,573 airmen and 26 officers to picket a 14 Km
stretch of A-9 Road from Omanthai to Puliyankulam.
In addition the SLAF also has deployed 1,173 airmen and 22 officers
from Habarana to Thoradiya to picket A-6 Road and another 1,183 airmen
and 22 officers to strengthen security in Peraru area in the Trincomalee
district.
The assistance extended by the SLAF to the Sri Lanka Navy during
Naval operations and detecting enemy boats and craft is also a key role
played by the SLAF. The Air Force pilots have destroyed a number of
Tiger boats during their recent operations against the Sea Tigers.
The destruction of Tiger boats in the sea and also in their bases in
land has immensely contributed to weaken the Sea Tigers’ capability to
launch attacks against the Navy.
Efficiency
The increased surveillance capability of the SLAF through the
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the beachcraft has increased the
efficiency of taking enemy targets accurately.
Expressing views about the achievements of the SLAF, Director Air
Operations Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake says that the SLAF has
been able to make optimum use of its assets in surveillance, close air
support, interdiction, casualty evacuation, troops and cargo transport
roles extremely effectively.
“This has been due to the outstanding leadership of the Commander of
the Air Force and the dedication of the aircrews and ground crews of the
organization. It has been a great all round team effort. Special mention
must be made of the pilots, who have flown their machines to the limits
in all conditions, and whose skills and applications have resulted in
the success the Air Force has had”, Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake
says.
The SLAF has also successfully incorporated advanced technology to
enable it to use latest developments to its advantage and thus create an
advantage over the enemy, he says. |