No 7 and 8 Squadrons Honoured with the President's Colour
5:41pm on Saturday 2nd March 2019
The President's Colour is the highest
accolade a
military establishment could receive in its life-span. It is presented
in recognition of invaluable services to and sacrifices in the defence
of the country. The colour is basically an emblazoned flag and its
origin can be traced back to the days when monarchies were the order of
the day. The King in those ancient days, would have his colour carried
to battle.
The SLAF was first awarded with the President’s Colour in 1976. On the occasion of SLAF Golden Jubilee, SLAF Base Katunayake and No 1 Flying Training Wing Anuradhapura were honoured with the President’s colour as the pioneer Base and Flying Formation of the Air Force. In the year 2009 SLAF No 2 Transport Squadron, No 4 VIP Transport Helicopter Squadron, No 9 Fighter Helicopter Squadron, No 10 Kfir Squadron and the Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment joined this elite group of formations whose contribution to the nation was recognized with the award of the President’s Colour.
In 1994, due to the adverse security situation in Sri Lanka the No 401 Flight under the No 4 Helicopter Squadron which was located at Katunayake was established at Hingurakgoda under the leadership of then Squadron Leader Kapila Jayampathy who is the present Commander of the Air Force. In 1996, the No 401 Flight was re-established as the No 7 Helicopter Squadron. This Squadron equipped initially with 5 Bell 206 Jet Ranger Helicopters and 10 Bell 212 helicopters specialises in Casualty Evacuation, Transport of ground troops in to battle fields and also providing close air support to ground troops. This Squadron also has the distinction of being the one of the first to react and come to the aid of civilians in need during natural and man-made disasters. 9 brave pilots and 7 air gunners from this squadron have made the supreme sacrifice during the 30 year long humanitarian operations that eradicated the ruthless LTTE.
The purchase of 9 Chinese Y-12 aircraft in 1986 marks the birth of the No 8 Squadron. In 1996 the No 8 Light Transport Squadron was re-established at SLAF Base Ratmalana. The aircraft of this Squadron were used extensively to transport much needed supplies and to evacuate battle casualties and injured personnel during the humanitarian operation against the LTTE. At present the No 8 Squadron has the most advanced electronic reconnaissance aircraft in the form of the B-200 Beech King. The aircraft of the Squadron have completed more than 50,000 successful missions covering a span of over 105,522 flying hours.
Both, No 7 Squadron and the No 8 Squadron were honoured by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena today (2 March 2019) with the award of the President’s Colour in a spectacular parade held at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda.
The Chief Guest, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena was received by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy. The parade was commanded by Air Commodore Bandu Edirisinghe, the Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda and the President’s Colour was taken over by the Commanding Officer of No 7 Squadron, Wing Commander Sameera Gunawardhane and the Commanding Officer of the No 8 Squadron, Wing Commander Sudil Gamage. Hon. State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijayawardane, Chief of Defence of Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, Senior Officers and other ranks of the tri forces were also present at the occasion.
The SLAF was first awarded with the President’s Colour in 1976. On the occasion of SLAF Golden Jubilee, SLAF Base Katunayake and No 1 Flying Training Wing Anuradhapura were honoured with the President’s colour as the pioneer Base and Flying Formation of the Air Force. In the year 2009 SLAF No 2 Transport Squadron, No 4 VIP Transport Helicopter Squadron, No 9 Fighter Helicopter Squadron, No 10 Kfir Squadron and the Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment joined this elite group of formations whose contribution to the nation was recognized with the award of the President’s Colour.
In 1994, due to the adverse security situation in Sri Lanka the No 401 Flight under the No 4 Helicopter Squadron which was located at Katunayake was established at Hingurakgoda under the leadership of then Squadron Leader Kapila Jayampathy who is the present Commander of the Air Force. In 1996, the No 401 Flight was re-established as the No 7 Helicopter Squadron. This Squadron equipped initially with 5 Bell 206 Jet Ranger Helicopters and 10 Bell 212 helicopters specialises in Casualty Evacuation, Transport of ground troops in to battle fields and also providing close air support to ground troops. This Squadron also has the distinction of being the one of the first to react and come to the aid of civilians in need during natural and man-made disasters. 9 brave pilots and 7 air gunners from this squadron have made the supreme sacrifice during the 30 year long humanitarian operations that eradicated the ruthless LTTE.
The purchase of 9 Chinese Y-12 aircraft in 1986 marks the birth of the No 8 Squadron. In 1996 the No 8 Light Transport Squadron was re-established at SLAF Base Ratmalana. The aircraft of this Squadron were used extensively to transport much needed supplies and to evacuate battle casualties and injured personnel during the humanitarian operation against the LTTE. At present the No 8 Squadron has the most advanced electronic reconnaissance aircraft in the form of the B-200 Beech King. The aircraft of the Squadron have completed more than 50,000 successful missions covering a span of over 105,522 flying hours.
Both, No 7 Squadron and the No 8 Squadron were honoured by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena today (2 March 2019) with the award of the President’s Colour in a spectacular parade held at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda.
The Chief Guest, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena was received by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy. The parade was commanded by Air Commodore Bandu Edirisinghe, the Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda and the President’s Colour was taken over by the Commanding Officer of No 7 Squadron, Wing Commander Sameera Gunawardhane and the Commanding Officer of the No 8 Squadron, Wing Commander Sudil Gamage. Hon. State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijayawardane, Chief of Defence of Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, Senior Officers and other ranks of the tri forces were also present at the occasion.
