No 2 Heavy Transport Squadron: 61 Years of Service to the Nation
8:46am on Monday 3rd September 2018
No 2 Squadron celebrated its 61st anniversary on 1 September 2018. The Squadron was established on 1 September 1957 at Katunayaka as No 2 Wing with Flight Lieutenant PH Mendis as its first Commanding Officer.
No 2 Squadron, being one of the flying squadrons awarded the Presidents Colour, has served the nation with distinction from its establishment. Its past aircraft fleet included aircraft such as De Havilland Dove, DC3, Dragon Fly Helicopter, Heron, Rily Heron, Sky Master, HS 748 Avro, Golden Eagle, B-200, SF260 SIAI Marchetti, Y-12 and Y-8. The current fleet consists of Antonov An 32B and Hercules C-130s.
The Squadron played a pivotal role during the Elam Wars with Air Transport Operations keeping a continuous air bridge for 19 years linking Jaffna peninsula with Colombo from 1991 to 2009. The squadron fleet maintained the most expeditious link to Jaffna for cargo and troop transportation and most importantly for causality transportation.
During the 61st anniversary celebrations, the squadron commemorated the considerable number of past members of the Squadron, those who sacrificed their lives due to enemy attacks and other fatal incidents, and who count among the heroes of our nation today.
The formation day consisted of a Working Parade which was reviewed by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain JMDRAP Jayamaha, who is the 33rd Commanding Officer of the Squadron. Speaking to the officers and Airmen members, the Commanding Officer elaborated the vital role performed by the Squadron during the last 61 years and emphasized the importance of sustaining high standards in all aspects.
The celebrations were concluded with an all ranks tea party at No 2 Squadron Hangar premises.
No 2 Squadron, being one of the flying squadrons awarded the Presidents Colour, has served the nation with distinction from its establishment. Its past aircraft fleet included aircraft such as De Havilland Dove, DC3, Dragon Fly Helicopter, Heron, Rily Heron, Sky Master, HS 748 Avro, Golden Eagle, B-200, SF260 SIAI Marchetti, Y-12 and Y-8. The current fleet consists of Antonov An 32B and Hercules C-130s.
The Squadron played a pivotal role during the Elam Wars with Air Transport Operations keeping a continuous air bridge for 19 years linking Jaffna peninsula with Colombo from 1991 to 2009. The squadron fleet maintained the most expeditious link to Jaffna for cargo and troop transportation and most importantly for causality transportation.
During the 61st anniversary celebrations, the squadron commemorated the considerable number of past members of the Squadron, those who sacrificed their lives due to enemy attacks and other fatal incidents, and who count among the heroes of our nation today.
The formation day consisted of a Working Parade which was reviewed by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain JMDRAP Jayamaha, who is the 33rd Commanding Officer of the Squadron. Speaking to the officers and Airmen members, the Commanding Officer elaborated the vital role performed by the Squadron during the last 61 years and emphasized the importance of sustaining high standards in all aspects.
The celebrations were concluded with an all ranks tea party at No 2 Squadron Hangar premises.
