SLAF Base Katunayake Celebrates 60th Anniversary
6:12pm on Saturday 3rd September 2011
SLAF Base Katunayake celebrated its 60th Anniversary on 01st September 2011.
This base was initially established by the Royal Air Force in 1940to serve as a transit base . After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Katunayake Base was again re-opened as a flying training wing with 4 Chipmunk aircraft on 1st September 1951. The first Commanding Officer of this base was Squadron Leader LG Lang, and until today, over 30 officers have commanded this base and out of those, a few of them went on to command the Air Force. The maiden flight of S-51 Dragon fly helicopter was seen at this base and the establishment of No 2 Squadron on 01st September 1957 and subsequently No 4, 5,10, 14 and No 12 Squadrons took place atg this base.
Apart from these flying formations, the following formations were also established to provide vital services to the Air Force and those are; Supply and Maintenance Depot, Electronic and Telecommunication Wing, AF Hospital, AF Band, AF Dental services, Aircraft Engineering Wing, General Engineering Wing, Mechanical Transport Repair &Overhaul Wing, Command Agro Unit, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Wing, Air Field Construction Wing, Air Craft Spares Depot, Air Defense Command & Control Center, Air Defense Gun Training School, Radar Maintenance Wing, Special Project Unit, Rapid Runway Repair Wing, Para Training School, No 01 Air Defense Radar Squadron.
To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of this base, the following programs were conducted with the maximum participation of all the lodger formations.
On the 31 Aug 11 a Shramadhana campaign was conducted at the following locations; Air Force Road, Raj Fernando play ground, High School Katunayake and at 3 Cemeteries. On the 1st of September the formal parade was conducted which was followed by a Blood donation Campaign and a musical show in the evening.
This base was initially established by the Royal Air Force in 1940to serve as a transit base . After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Katunayake Base was again re-opened as a flying training wing with 4 Chipmunk aircraft on 1st September 1951. The first Commanding Officer of this base was Squadron Leader LG Lang, and until today, over 30 officers have commanded this base and out of those, a few of them went on to command the Air Force. The maiden flight of S-51 Dragon fly helicopter was seen at this base and the establishment of No 2 Squadron on 01st September 1957 and subsequently No 4, 5,10, 14 and No 12 Squadrons took place atg this base.
Apart from these flying formations, the following formations were also established to provide vital services to the Air Force and those are; Supply and Maintenance Depot, Electronic and Telecommunication Wing, AF Hospital, AF Band, AF Dental services, Aircraft Engineering Wing, General Engineering Wing, Mechanical Transport Repair &Overhaul Wing, Command Agro Unit, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Wing, Air Field Construction Wing, Air Craft Spares Depot, Air Defense Command & Control Center, Air Defense Gun Training School, Radar Maintenance Wing, Special Project Unit, Rapid Runway Repair Wing, Para Training School, No 01 Air Defense Radar Squadron.
To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of this base, the following programs were conducted with the maximum participation of all the lodger formations.
On the 31 Aug 11 a Shramadhana campaign was conducted at the following locations; Air Force Road, Raj Fernando play ground, High School Katunayake and at 3 Cemeteries. On the 1st of September the formal parade was conducted which was followed by a Blood donation Campaign and a musical show in the evening.
