SLAF 60th anniversary exhibition:

Once in a lifetime experience

Sandasen Marasinghe

I saw a teenage girl sitting in the cockpit of a MI 24. To be accurate she was in the seat of the co-pilot or gunner pilot. She was ready to fire. For once, I thought I was watching a Hollywood movie. This is what you get to experience at the Sri Lanka Air Force exhibition organized to celebrate its 60th anniversary. It is now open to the public from 10 am to 11 pm until March 8.

The young girl in question got down from the cockpit of the MI 24 and was too elated even to express her feelings. She just went away smiling with her friends. She sure would have been glad to have had this opportunity.

Humanitarian operation

The Mi 24 is a modern ground attack helicopter designed in the former USSR. It presents a formidable weapon platform. Mi 24 known as the Devil’s Chariot played a crucial role in SLAF’s efforts in the humanitarian operation in the war against terrorism since it was inducted into the SLAF in 1996.

We turned to Sergeant GCS Bandara of the Safety Equipment Trade of SLAF who was giving a detailed description on the Mi 24 to the enthusiastic schoolchildren, young and old who gathered in droves to view the SLAF exhibition.

“Yes, anybody can experience this helicopter and see it. You also can take a photograph if you need one,” Bandara said.

Aerobatic displays

Four schoolchildren spoke to us. They are Amila Madushan, (16), Sameera Vimukthi (15), Lasith Pathum (16) and Tharindu Ruwanshi (15). Lasith said, “We are students of Don Pedric Maha Vidyalaya, Horana. We are really happy to see this exhibition. When we saw the fighter jets and helicopters fly over our heads we dreamt of having an opportunity to see them for real.

That opportunity came today. It’s a dream come true. We came with our teachers.

Meanwhile we saw aerobatic displays in the sky over our heads “From 11 am to 5 pm there are aerobatics displays continuously”, Flying Officer Amila Wijesooriya of SLAF Media Unit explained to us. “Displays will be performed by Mig 27, free fall para jumps from C-130 and y-12, Mi 24, PT-6, B-200, F-7, K-8. There is also a mock attack using helicopters and fighter jets”.

And for those who want more, the exhibition has various types of aircraft including FT-5, F-7, Kfir, PT-6 and helicopters on display.

Some youth were seen eagerly talking to two SLAF pilots, Shameera Bandara and Bhanuka Delgahagoda.

One youth Ruwanka Deemal speaking to us, “I am a student of Technical College, Ratmalana. The valiant pilots of SLAF explained their experiences in air attacks.”

K-8 Aircraft

Janith Jayasanka, a student of Technical College, Ratmalana said that there is much that one could learn from this exhibition. It is so informative and educative and he hoped to visit the exhibition again. Jayasanka also said that an exhibition of this nature should last for at least 10 days.

The exhibition consists of Kfir Squadron stall, Aircraft Engine stall, Attack Helicopter Squadron stall, Air Frame stall, Electrical and Instruments stall, K-8 Aircraft Squadron stall, Aero Research and Development stall, Transport Squadron stall, ATC and Air Defence stall, Flying training Wing stall, Directorate of General Engineering stall, Jet Squadron stall, Directorate of Ground Operation stall, Information Technology stall, Helicopter Squadron stall, unmanned Aerial Vehicle stall and many more.

Defeating terrorism

An elderly monk Ven Deeyagaha Nandasiri Thera who was watching an F-7 jet at the exhibition told the Daily News, “I am a monk of the Ihalagaha temple in Gampaha. I longed to see the exhibition. This is part of our valiant warriors who contributed their best to unite our country again like during the times of the ancient kings.”

The Thera said the SLAF played a crucial role in defeating terrorism and we are truly proud of them.

There is so much to talk about this exhibition which offers a multitude of features including a carnival and free air trips. Seeing is believing, so one has got to experience it.