NO 111 UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SQUADRON CELEBRATES 14TH ANNIVERSARY
2:50pm on Wednesday 1st June 2022
No 111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Squadron at SLAF Base Vavuniya celebrated its 14th anniversary today (1 June 2022). The celebration inaugurated with the customary working parade which was reviewed by the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander MP Abeywickrama at the squadron parade ground.
The initial inventory of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were inducted in year 1996, when No 11 UAV Flight was formed at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda under the command of Flight Lieutenant DS Talagala. Subsequently, the No 11 UAV Flight was elevated as a squadron and re-established at SLAF Base Vavuniya. During the “Humanitarian Operation”, the No 111 UAV Squadron used its Searcher MK II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles extensively over LTTE controlled terrain meeting the real time intelligence gathering and surveillance necessities of the tri forces and proved a decisive factor that contributed to the success of the operation.
Presently, it is conducting UAV flying of Lihiniya indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to upgrade the technological contribution of Sri Lanka Air Force by Researching and Developing the UAV technology in successful level. Further, expanding the operational capabilities of the squadron, recently No 111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron Drone fleet was established at Air Force Station Katukurunda on 08 February 2022 under the command of this squadron and operates the DJI Matrice-300, DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual, Patom 4 Pro+ drones. Drone teams have been deployed across 13 SLAF establishments in order to cater short-range, real-time intelligence gathering and surveillance requirements to strengthen the national security of the nation.
In view of celebrating its 14th anniversary, a “Shramadana” Campaign conducted at the Sri Shylabimbaramaya Temple at Irattaperiyakulam on 27th May 2022 with the participation of all officers, airmen and civil staff of the squadron.
The initial inventory of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were inducted in year 1996, when No 11 UAV Flight was formed at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda under the command of Flight Lieutenant DS Talagala. Subsequently, the No 11 UAV Flight was elevated as a squadron and re-established at SLAF Base Vavuniya. During the “Humanitarian Operation”, the No 111 UAV Squadron used its Searcher MK II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles extensively over LTTE controlled terrain meeting the real time intelligence gathering and surveillance necessities of the tri forces and proved a decisive factor that contributed to the success of the operation.
Presently, it is conducting UAV flying of Lihiniya indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to upgrade the technological contribution of Sri Lanka Air Force by Researching and Developing the UAV technology in successful level. Further, expanding the operational capabilities of the squadron, recently No 111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron Drone fleet was established at Air Force Station Katukurunda on 08 February 2022 under the command of this squadron and operates the DJI Matrice-300, DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual, Patom 4 Pro+ drones. Drone teams have been deployed across 13 SLAF establishments in order to cater short-range, real-time intelligence gathering and surveillance requirements to strengthen the national security of the nation.
In view of celebrating its 14th anniversary, a “Shramadana” Campaign conducted at the Sri Shylabimbaramaya Temple at Irattaperiyakulam on 27th May 2022 with the participation of all officers, airmen and civil staff of the squadron.
