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.

"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.

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.

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.

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

An anti-aircraft gun

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.

Casualty evacuation

Fighter jets ready to take off Pictures by Rukmal Gamage

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.

Courtesy : Daily News