UN Peace Keeping MINUSCA Medal Awarding Ceremony
9:33am on Friday 8th May 2015
The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit of MINUSCA held its Medal Parade Ceremony on 10 April 2015, marking an important milestone not only in the journey of the contingent, but also in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The event was held in the presence of the Force Commander of MINUSCA, Major General Martin Chomu Tumenta, who was the Chief Guest. The medal parade was also graced by the Chief Of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal G.P.Bulathsinghala, who had travelled to Bangui from Sri Lanka to witness this historic occasion.
The United Nations Peace Keeping Medal MINUSCA was awarded to the contingent for satisfying the mandatory requirement of serving in the mission area for 90 days or more. This is the first time in history that an aviation contingent from the Sri Lanka Air Force had been deployed for a UN Peace Keeping mission, and this was also the first ever UN Peace Keeping Medal won by such a contingent. This is the reason that the medal parade will be highlighted in the history books of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Since the beginning of the contingent’s deployment in early September 2014, the Mi-17 helicopters belonging to the Aviation Unit have been utilized to fulfil the requirements of the Mission. Initially, the contingent flew armed aerial reconnaissance missions to provide security for various convoys movements amidst rebel disturbances. As part of the armament for these missions, the contingent possesses 80 mm rockets, 23 mm twin barrel guns and Multi-Purpose Machine Guns mounted inside the helicopters. The contingent remains the only aviation outfit in the mission to possess aircraft armament.
The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit has been undertaking troops and cargo transportation and has travelled to numerous destinations in the theatre of operation. The contingent has also transported VIP personnel and has even had the distinct honour of flying Her Excellency the President of the Central African Republic, Mrs. Catherine Samba-Panza.
This aviation unit is also capable of carrying out Medical and Casualty Evacuation missions and has proven so by successfully performing a number of such missions, many of such flown in collaboration with the Serbian Medical team.
The Mi-17 helicopters had recently been fitted with additional fuel tanks. These tanks were essential in order to cater to the requirements of far end theatres of the mission. The additional fuel tanks have allowed the contingent to multiply its range many-fold and have given it the ability to better serve the MINUSCA Mission.
The Sri Lanka Aviation unit has accumulated over 550 flying hours in the mission, transporting a total of more than 2500 passengers and approximately 56,000 kg of cargo. This also includes the VVIP and VIP flights, Medical Evacuation flights and armed aerial reconnaissance.
Within a short period of time, the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit has also distinguished itself as a humanitarian and charitable contingent among the local populace and has won their hearts through general conduct and through its community service programs, giving out essential items to those who are in dire need.
In addition to this, the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit has also undertaken the distribution of drinking water to the contingents that are based in and around the city of Bangui. Furthermore, the Sri Lanka Aviation fire fighters who are well qualified in this profession have been entrusted with handling of fire vehicles belongs to UN.
Considering the bigger picture, Sri Lanka has been providing troops, staff officers and military observers for UN missions since as far back as the year 1960. It was begun by deploying six peacekeepers in United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Since the year 2000, 12,210 Army soldiers, 600 Navy personnel, 610 Air Force personnel and 572 Policemen had served in the UN Peacekeeping forces. The country is now placed in the 20th position in terms of troop contributions for Peacekeeping. All of these Sri Lankan peacekeepers have been commended by the United Nations for their professionalism and commitment on many occasions.
Therefore, there is no doubt that much can be expected from the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit. They have shown their colours and have proven their worth. The contingent is committed to the success of the mission and will uphold the values of the UN and the SLAF.
The United Nations Peace Keeping Medal MINUSCA was awarded to the contingent for satisfying the mandatory requirement of serving in the mission area for 90 days or more. This is the first time in history that an aviation contingent from the Sri Lanka Air Force had been deployed for a UN Peace Keeping mission, and this was also the first ever UN Peace Keeping Medal won by such a contingent. This is the reason that the medal parade will be highlighted in the history books of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Since the beginning of the contingent’s deployment in early September 2014, the Mi-17 helicopters belonging to the Aviation Unit have been utilized to fulfil the requirements of the Mission. Initially, the contingent flew armed aerial reconnaissance missions to provide security for various convoys movements amidst rebel disturbances. As part of the armament for these missions, the contingent possesses 80 mm rockets, 23 mm twin barrel guns and Multi-Purpose Machine Guns mounted inside the helicopters. The contingent remains the only aviation outfit in the mission to possess aircraft armament.
The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit has been undertaking troops and cargo transportation and has travelled to numerous destinations in the theatre of operation. The contingent has also transported VIP personnel and has even had the distinct honour of flying Her Excellency the President of the Central African Republic, Mrs. Catherine Samba-Panza.
This aviation unit is also capable of carrying out Medical and Casualty Evacuation missions and has proven so by successfully performing a number of such missions, many of such flown in collaboration with the Serbian Medical team.
The Mi-17 helicopters had recently been fitted with additional fuel tanks. These tanks were essential in order to cater to the requirements of far end theatres of the mission. The additional fuel tanks have allowed the contingent to multiply its range many-fold and have given it the ability to better serve the MINUSCA Mission.
The Sri Lanka Aviation unit has accumulated over 550 flying hours in the mission, transporting a total of more than 2500 passengers and approximately 56,000 kg of cargo. This also includes the VVIP and VIP flights, Medical Evacuation flights and armed aerial reconnaissance.
Within a short period of time, the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit has also distinguished itself as a humanitarian and charitable contingent among the local populace and has won their hearts through general conduct and through its community service programs, giving out essential items to those who are in dire need.
In addition to this, the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit has also undertaken the distribution of drinking water to the contingents that are based in and around the city of Bangui. Furthermore, the Sri Lanka Aviation fire fighters who are well qualified in this profession have been entrusted with handling of fire vehicles belongs to UN.
Considering the bigger picture, Sri Lanka has been providing troops, staff officers and military observers for UN missions since as far back as the year 1960. It was begun by deploying six peacekeepers in United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Since the year 2000, 12,210 Army soldiers, 600 Navy personnel, 610 Air Force personnel and 572 Policemen had served in the UN Peacekeeping forces. The country is now placed in the 20th position in terms of troop contributions for Peacekeeping. All of these Sri Lankan peacekeepers have been commended by the United Nations for their professionalism and commitment on many occasions.
Therefore, there is no doubt that much can be expected from the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit. They have shown their colours and have proven their worth. The contingent is committed to the success of the mission and will uphold the values of the UN and the SLAF.
