SLAF 70TH ANNIVERSARY AIR SHOW COMES TO A GRAND CONCLUSION AT GALLE FACE GREEN
10:36pm on Friday 5th March 2021
The SLAF which proudly celebrated 70 years as the “Guardians of the Skies” on 02 March 2021 commenced its three-day Aerobatics Extravaganza at Galle Face Greens on 03 March 2021. Today, the final day of the Air Show was held under the auspices of Honorable Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Air Show which was open to the public and which was held giving a very high importance to the health practices related to the prevention of COVID-19 saw large crowds coming to the Galle Face Green to witness this once in a life time event.
As on the two previous days, the Air Show commenced with the Fly-Past by the Sri Lanka Air Force which included Bell 212, Bell 412 helicopters, Mi-17 helicopters, Cessna 150 aircraft, B200 Beech King aircraft, MA-60 aircraft followed by the supersonic F-7s. Soon after the SLAF Fly-past an Indian Navy Dornier 228 utility aircraft followed by the Tejas Multirole Light Fighter Aircraft commenced their aerobatic sequence signifying the start of the IAF aerobatics show. As on other days the performance by the Tejas, the Sarang Helicopter Display Team and the Surya Kiran’s 9 ship formation display team kept to crowds on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately, the Surya Kiran’s were not able to perform their scintillating formation maneuvers due to weather and safety concerns as a result of clouds which had formed at very low flight levels this evening.
However, as always the Air Show came to an end with one of our very own F-7 fighter jet aircraft making a low and daring pass and an after burner zoom up followed by an aileron roll before disappearing in to the skies. The F-7 aircraft was flown by the Commanding Officer of the No 5 Fighter Squadron, Wing Commander Roshan Perera. The disappearing final F-7 signified the end of the SLAF 70th Anniversary Air Show which was conducted for three days together with aerobatic display teams from the Indian Air Force and an aircraft from the Indian Navy as well.
The Air Show which was open to the public and which was held giving a very high importance to the health practices related to the prevention of COVID-19 saw large crowds coming to the Galle Face Green to witness this once in a life time event.
As on the two previous days, the Air Show commenced with the Fly-Past by the Sri Lanka Air Force which included Bell 212, Bell 412 helicopters, Mi-17 helicopters, Cessna 150 aircraft, B200 Beech King aircraft, MA-60 aircraft followed by the supersonic F-7s. Soon after the SLAF Fly-past an Indian Navy Dornier 228 utility aircraft followed by the Tejas Multirole Light Fighter Aircraft commenced their aerobatic sequence signifying the start of the IAF aerobatics show. As on other days the performance by the Tejas, the Sarang Helicopter Display Team and the Surya Kiran’s 9 ship formation display team kept to crowds on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately, the Surya Kiran’s were not able to perform their scintillating formation maneuvers due to weather and safety concerns as a result of clouds which had formed at very low flight levels this evening.
However, as always the Air Show came to an end with one of our very own F-7 fighter jet aircraft making a low and daring pass and an after burner zoom up followed by an aileron roll before disappearing in to the skies. The F-7 aircraft was flown by the Commanding Officer of the No 5 Fighter Squadron, Wing Commander Roshan Perera. The disappearing final F-7 signified the end of the SLAF 70th Anniversary Air Show which was conducted for three days together with aerobatic display teams from the Indian Air Force and an aircraft from the Indian Navy as well.
Day 2 Images
