SLAF role in the Concluded Humanitarian Missions and After

The glory of the mark that SLAF left on the saga of the greatest Humanitarian Operation in the world, from Mavil Aru to the LTTE last hold Puthumathalan is unsurpassable. The Air Force men and machine soared to the sky, along with the military thrust that started from Mavil Aru. They touched down, only after victory was declared by the Commander-in-Chief of Sri Lanka's Armed Forces, after eliminating the LTTE.

The Air Force fighter jets and craft made their primitive role to hit the enemy's targets and pave path to advancing ground troops. They also contributed to evacuate civilians and wounded troops as well as transporting food and medical items to the civilians who were kept as human shield by the LTTE cadres. The Air Force played a major role without time-out to defeat terrorism and bring victory.

Initially it was the No.06 Sqn - the MI 17, transport helicopters that took off, continuously carrying hundreds and thousands of troops and equipment. They brought hope to the foot soldier fighting a crucial battle, day in and day out. As the fighting became more and more fierce, the ever faithful Bell 212's of the No.07 Sqn were never far from the battlefield, evacuating the injured, ferociously flying them for medical attention and returning to hover around again.

The Mig 27's of 12 Sqn, the Kfirs of 10 Sqn and the F 7's of No.05 Sqn soon followed providing close air support to the fighting troops, blasting passages for them to march through and decimating LTTE nerve points.

Then the Mi - 24s of the No.09 Sqn cruised low out of the horizon; strafing the enemy and flying behind enemy lines to extract brethren out on Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) missions. The No.04 Sqn- flew the Bell 412s, conveying VVIPs whose physical presence and directions at the battle field made all the difference.

The No 02 Transport Sqn, logged thousands of flying miles, carrying cargo - human and otherwise, in it's AN 32-Bs and C 130s. Men operating the UAVs from ground based cells watched breathless and unblinking, the enemy's movements on the ground. The Beech craft of No.08 Sqn were flown very many times and always came back with vital information that decided the tempo of the war.

The Air Force fighter jets carried out a large number of aerial attacks targeting the LTTE targets. These targets were precise and accurate, though the LTTE suffered with many casualties and faced severe damages.

The Airmen and women also laid down their lives to save the nation during the counter attacks and in actions against the LTTE cadres. During the total Humanitarian Operation and up to now, SLAF Regiment, the infantry element of the AF is admirably holding vast areas of land that was liberated from the LTTE.

Apart from their much used to peripheral protection and air field protection, they are now engaged in sustaining 'gray areas' and taking giant steps forward in controlling and aiding the development activities in the conflict affected areas through massive stabilization programs.

They also involve in a great way in helping the resettlement of the displaced and help them to get back with their livelihoods with as they used to be three decades ago.

The Air Force taking great responsibility, extended many programs to resettle war affected civilians in Morawewa area. Most of the Morawewa area was controlled by the LTTE and civilians fled from the area due to unbearable torture and difficulties by the LTTE cadres. The Air Force has turned a new page in the area by helping civilians in various ways to uplift their livelihoods. The Air Force assists the IDP farmers to cultivate their paddy and transport their harvest to market.

The Air Force is helping the IDPs to build their schools, community buildings and many other construction works including road developments.

The LTTE landmines and booby traps are main barriers to resettle the IDPs at their original places. The explosive ordnance disposal teams, another sub unit of the SLAF Regiment play a dangerous role in carrying out de-mining activities in heavily mined areas.

What was aimed for and achieved by ground crew, engineering officers and technicians is groundbreaking. The technological component of managing the battle was efficiently synchronized. Medical teams were always around and logistical support was brilliant. However much the fighting went on, premises never lost their polish, Officers, men and women always held their heads high, SOPs were followed, last post was always played and traditions were upheld.

The first ever air threat to a conventional Air Force by a terrorist organization emerged, when LTTE started flying the ZLIN 143. It was admirable that the Air Force rose to the situation and countered the threat through an effective Air Defence Network, put together within record time.

SLAF overcame the delusion that it is an organization that is predominantly technical in its operations.

Its Commander and his team have demonstrated unprecedented ingenuity and commitment in creating the winds of change, to facilitate the national consensus to eliminate terrorism from the soil of Sri Lanka.

As a vital link in the National Military Strategy, the Air Force team rose admirably to the task of countering and dismantling the LTTE through optimal utilization of their relevant skills, competencies and maximum and productive management of air assets.

- R.J.