NO 3 MARITIME SQUADRON CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY
5:51pm on Tuesday 12th January 2021
The No 3 Maritime Squadron celebrated its 2nd anniversary yesterday (11 January 2021) after the 3rd re-establishment of the Squadron at SLAF Academy China Bay.
The customary working parade was reviewed by the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander KHDP Kasagala. The celebration of the day was held adhering to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines with the participation of all ranks of the Squadron.
No 3 Maritime Squadron, which was originally inaugurated in 1965. However, with a written history since December 1971, was established as a fully-fledged operational flying formation at SLAF Base China Bay by the Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Noor Rahim under the guidance of then Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal PH Mendis. The Squadron logo featured the “Red-wattled Lapwing (Kirala),” to indicate the role of the Squadron, of providing early warning.
Initially equipped with the De Havilland Dove, the Squadron was tasked with dawn to dusk reconnaissance patrols of the Eastern Coast, from Point Pedro to Galle, as a deterrent to possible arms smuggling, a need felt during the 1971 insurgency.
The Squadron shifted to SLAF Base Katunayake with the addition of the Cessna 337 aircraft and again relocated at SLAF Base China Bay in the year 1988 to conduct surveillance operations against the LTTE. On this occasion, the Squadron is proud to recall the tremendous service rendered by the present Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana in achieving operational goals of the Squadron.
As the need for maritime surveillance began to be felt ever strongly, the squadron was re-established on 11 January 2019. At present it is equipped with a Beech King Air B-200 and Harbin Y-12 Aircraft.
The customary working parade was reviewed by the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander KHDP Kasagala. The celebration of the day was held adhering to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines with the participation of all ranks of the Squadron.
No 3 Maritime Squadron, which was originally inaugurated in 1965. However, with a written history since December 1971, was established as a fully-fledged operational flying formation at SLAF Base China Bay by the Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Noor Rahim under the guidance of then Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal PH Mendis. The Squadron logo featured the “Red-wattled Lapwing (Kirala),” to indicate the role of the Squadron, of providing early warning.
Initially equipped with the De Havilland Dove, the Squadron was tasked with dawn to dusk reconnaissance patrols of the Eastern Coast, from Point Pedro to Galle, as a deterrent to possible arms smuggling, a need felt during the 1971 insurgency.
The Squadron shifted to SLAF Base Katunayake with the addition of the Cessna 337 aircraft and again relocated at SLAF Base China Bay in the year 1988 to conduct surveillance operations against the LTTE. On this occasion, the Squadron is proud to recall the tremendous service rendered by the present Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana in achieving operational goals of the Squadron.
As the need for maritime surveillance began to be felt ever strongly, the squadron was re-established on 11 January 2019. At present it is equipped with a Beech King Air B-200 and Harbin Y-12 Aircraft.
The No 3 Maritime Squadron is undertaking maritime, ground surveillance and reconnaissance air operations in order to safeguard the sovereignty of our motherland Sri Lanka.
