The Biggest Airborne Passing Out Parade Ever
7:21pm on Thursday 4th August 2011
95 Officers, Airmen and Airwomen of 04th Basic Rigger Course, 22nd Basic Airborne Course and 23rd Basic Airborne Course Passing Out Parade was held colourfully at the Parachute Training School Air Force Base Katunayake today (04th August 2011) making this the largest ever para passing out to be held in the Sri Lanka Air Force since the inception of the Para Training School.
The parade commenced with static line para jumping of nine trainees from MI 17 helicopter at 1000 feet. Nine were given the opportunity out of 80 personnel of the 22nd and 23rd courses including 04 airwomen. They were followed by Sky divers of the SLAF who performed a magnificent show jumping at 6000 height from the same helicopter. Group Captain Athula Nanayakkara, Commanding Officer of the Para School, landed with the Air Force Flag demonstrating the glory of the Air Force whilst Corporal Amarasinghe also of the Parachute Training School landed with the flag of SLAF Base Katunayake.
A drill display by the Air Force colour Squadron added more colour to the parade and this was followed by an attractive band display by the Air Force Band.
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and awarded Parachute badges to the trainees who passed out. Leading Aircraftsman Bandara AMA from the Regimental Special Force was adjudged the Best Paratrooper of the No.22 Basic Airborne Course and Sergeant Jayathilaka NGUI from Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment was adjudged the Best Paratrooper from No.23 Basic Air Borne Course.
The Director Dental Services Air Vice Marshal Asoka Amunugama, Director Welfare Air Vice Marshal Anura Silva, Director Ground Operations Air Commodore Mohan Zoysa, Director Training Air Commodore Kishan Yahampath, Acting Director Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering Group Captain Janak Wanigathunga and Base Commander SLAF Katunayake Air Commodore Ranil Gurusinghe were among the distinguished gathering whilst formation Commanding Officers, Officers, other ranks and the family members of the trainees were also present to witness the event.
The parade commenced with static line para jumping of nine trainees from MI 17 helicopter at 1000 feet. Nine were given the opportunity out of 80 personnel of the 22nd and 23rd courses including 04 airwomen. They were followed by Sky divers of the SLAF who performed a magnificent show jumping at 6000 height from the same helicopter. Group Captain Athula Nanayakkara, Commanding Officer of the Para School, landed with the Air Force Flag demonstrating the glory of the Air Force whilst Corporal Amarasinghe also of the Parachute Training School landed with the flag of SLAF Base Katunayake.
A drill display by the Air Force colour Squadron added more colour to the parade and this was followed by an attractive band display by the Air Force Band.
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and awarded Parachute badges to the trainees who passed out. Leading Aircraftsman Bandara AMA from the Regimental Special Force was adjudged the Best Paratrooper of the No.22 Basic Airborne Course and Sergeant Jayathilaka NGUI from Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment was adjudged the Best Paratrooper from No.23 Basic Air Borne Course.
The Director Dental Services Air Vice Marshal Asoka Amunugama, Director Welfare Air Vice Marshal Anura Silva, Director Ground Operations Air Commodore Mohan Zoysa, Director Training Air Commodore Kishan Yahampath, Acting Director Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering Group Captain Janak Wanigathunga and Base Commander SLAF Katunayake Air Commodore Ranil Gurusinghe were among the distinguished gathering whilst formation Commanding Officers, Officers, other ranks and the family members of the trainees were also present to witness the event.
