NO 2 HEAVY TRANSPORT SQUADRON AT SLAF BASE KATUNAYAKA CELEBRATES 65TH ANNIVERSARY
1:34pm on Friday 2nd September 2022
No 2 Heavy Transport Squadron at SLAF Base Katunayake celebrated its 65th anniversary yesterday (01 September 2022). The Squadron was established on 01 September 1957, at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake under the command of Flight Lieutenant PH Mendis. During the year 1985, it has been shifted to Ratmalana Air Force Base and later in the year 2011, it was again shifted to the Air Force Base Katunayaka. Up to date the squadron has been commanded by 32 Commanding Officers. During the past 65 years, the squadron has flown 17 different types of aircraft including Air Speed Oxford, Prestwick Pioneer, De Havilland Dove, DC3 Dakota, S 51 Dragon Fly Helicopter, De Havilland Heron, De Havilland Rily Heron, Cessna 337 Sky Master, HS 748 Avro, Beech 18, Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, Beechcraft B-200, SF260 TP Siai Mashetti, Harbin Y-12 and Y-8. The current fleet consists of Antonov 32Bs and Hercules C-130s.
The Squadron is mainly task with Air Transport operations, such as Scheduled Flights, Causality and Medical Evacuations, Parachute Training, VIP/VVIP transport and Overseas Flight operations. The squadron is also tasked with conducting surveillance and reconnaissance flights. During the Elam War, the Squadron played a pivotal role keeping a continuous air bridge for nearly 20 years linking the Jaffna Peninsula with Colombo from 1991 to 2009. It became one of the prominent Air Maintenance operation of the war, as the security forces lost the control of A9 Main Supply Route, at the beginning of the Second Elam War. The Squadron fleet maintained the most expeditious link to Jaffna for cargo and troop transportation and most importantly, for casualty transportation. No 2 Squadron was awarded with President’s Colours in the year 2009 in recognition of its long years of dedicated service to the nation.
The 65th anniversary was celebrated commencing the customary working parade, a commemoration ceremony to pay tribute for the Fallen Heroes, Shramadana programme and an Alms Giving programme at Shobaaramaya Temple at Kadirana and a tree planting programme at the squadron premises under the guidance of the Commanding Officer, Group Captain KWNSD Welagedara. The squadron donated a sound system to St. Anne Children’s Home, Katana. The event concluded with a musical night with the participation of all squadron personnel, the Base Commander and also with the participation of few retired veterans.
The Squadron is mainly task with Air Transport operations, such as Scheduled Flights, Causality and Medical Evacuations, Parachute Training, VIP/VVIP transport and Overseas Flight operations. The squadron is also tasked with conducting surveillance and reconnaissance flights. During the Elam War, the Squadron played a pivotal role keeping a continuous air bridge for nearly 20 years linking the Jaffna Peninsula with Colombo from 1991 to 2009. It became one of the prominent Air Maintenance operation of the war, as the security forces lost the control of A9 Main Supply Route, at the beginning of the Second Elam War. The Squadron fleet maintained the most expeditious link to Jaffna for cargo and troop transportation and most importantly, for casualty transportation. No 2 Squadron was awarded with President’s Colours in the year 2009 in recognition of its long years of dedicated service to the nation.
The 65th anniversary was celebrated commencing the customary working parade, a commemoration ceremony to pay tribute for the Fallen Heroes, Shramadana programme and an Alms Giving programme at Shobaaramaya Temple at Kadirana and a tree planting programme at the squadron premises under the guidance of the Commanding Officer, Group Captain KWNSD Welagedara. The squadron donated a sound system to St. Anne Children’s Home, Katana. The event concluded with a musical night with the participation of all squadron personnel, the Base Commander and also with the participation of few retired veterans.
