NO. 2 HEAVY TRANSPORT SQUADRON CELEBRATES 66TH ANNIVERSARY
6:44pm on Saturday 2nd September 2023
No. 2 Heavy Transport Squadron at SLAF Base Katunayake marked a noteworthy milestone, celebrating its 66th anniversary yesterday (01 September 2023). The Squadron was established on 01 September 1957, at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake under the command of Flight Lieutenant PH Mendis. The present Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal RAUP Rajapaksa served as a Commanding Officer during the period of 01 January 2010 to 28 March 2011 and was a pillar of knowledge, strength and a prime alma mater to many transport pilots in the SLAF, and presently Wing Commander HMM Samarakoon commands the No. 2 Squadron as the Acting Commanding Officer.
During the past 66 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 Marchetti, Harbin Y-12 and Y-8. The current fleet consists of Antonov 32Bs and Hercules C-130s.
The Squadron is mainly tasked with Air Transport operations, such as Scheduled Flights, Casualty and Medical Evacuations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations both local and overseas, Parachute Training, VIP/VVIP transport Overseas Flight operations and many more. The squadron is also tasked with conducting surveillance and reconnaissance flights. During the challenging times of the Elam War, the squadron played an indispensable role in maintaining an essential air bridge that linked the Jaffna Peninsula to Colombo for nearly two decades, spanning from 1991 to 2009. No. 2 Squadron was awarded President’s Colours in the year 2009 in recognition of its long years of dedicated service to the nation.
The 66th-anniversary celebration included the customary working parade and a commemorative ceremony to honour fallen heroes. It was a fitting tribute to the squadron's long and dedicated service to the nation.
During the past 66 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 Marchetti, Harbin Y-12 and Y-8. The current fleet consists of Antonov 32Bs and Hercules C-130s.
The Squadron is mainly tasked with Air Transport operations, such as Scheduled Flights, Casualty and Medical Evacuations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations both local and overseas, Parachute Training, VIP/VVIP transport Overseas Flight operations and many more. The squadron is also tasked with conducting surveillance and reconnaissance flights. During the challenging times of the Elam War, the squadron played an indispensable role in maintaining an essential air bridge that linked the Jaffna Peninsula to Colombo for nearly two decades, spanning from 1991 to 2009. No. 2 Squadron was awarded President’s Colours in the year 2009 in recognition of its long years of dedicated service to the nation.
The 66th-anniversary celebration included the customary working parade and a commemorative ceremony to honour fallen heroes. It was a fitting tribute to the squadron's long and dedicated service to the nation.
