PASSING OUT PARADE OF PARATROOPERS AND SPECIAL AIRBORNE FORCE AT SLAF STATION AMPARA
11:33pm on Friday 5th April 2024
The Passing Out Parade (POP) of Paratroopers and Specialized Airborne Operations took place at the SLAF Station Ampara today (05 April 2024). The ceremony witnessed the distinguished presence of Senior Officers from Tri-Services and the Special Task Force (STF), notably featuring Air Vice Marshal TI Fernando, the Director General Training of the SLAF, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The parade commenced with the dynamic spectacle of static line jumps executed by the trainees from an AN-32 aircraft, conducted at an altitude of 1000 feet. Subsequently, the Sky Divers of the SLAF captivated the audience with a breathtaking aerial display, exiting the same aircraft from a height of 10,000 feet. Adding to the grandeur of the event were captivating demonstrations, including an Unarmed Combat Display by course participants and a Band Display by the Air Force Ceremonial Band.
During the POP, Officers and Other Rankers who completed the 54th and 55th Basic Airborne Courses, No. 15 Military Free Fall Course, No. 04 Jump Master and Airborne Operation Course, and No. 09 Special Airborne Force (SABF) received their well-deserved Paratrooper and SABF insignias. Among the recipients were 13 SLAF Officers and 83 Other Rankers, three SL Army Officers and 12 Other Rankers, three SL Navy Officers and 12 Other Rankers, and three STF Officers and four Other Rankers. Notably, amidst the distinguished proceedings of this POP, a historic milestone was achieved as three freefall paratroopers, all women sailors, made indelible marks in the annals of the SL Navy.
The event was graced by the presence of Commanding SLAF Station Ampara, Group Captain Lalith Sugathadasa, Commanding Officer Parachute Training School, Wing Commander Vijitha Gomis and Commanding Officer SABF, Wing Commander Sumedha Ritigala, who alongside the proud parents of the trainees, witnessed the ceremonious occasion.
The exemplary performances of Leading Aircraftman Karunarathna RMDR, Corporal Ariyawansha RMNCB, Able Seaman HPMM Ranasinghe and Leading Aircraftman Ranaweera RMCB were recognized during the event, as they were adjudged the Best Paratroopers of No. 54 and 55 Basic Airborne Courses, No. 15 Free Fall Parachute Course and No. 09 Special Airborne Force Course, respectively.
The parade commenced with the dynamic spectacle of static line jumps executed by the trainees from an AN-32 aircraft, conducted at an altitude of 1000 feet. Subsequently, the Sky Divers of the SLAF captivated the audience with a breathtaking aerial display, exiting the same aircraft from a height of 10,000 feet. Adding to the grandeur of the event were captivating demonstrations, including an Unarmed Combat Display by course participants and a Band Display by the Air Force Ceremonial Band.
During the POP, Officers and Other Rankers who completed the 54th and 55th Basic Airborne Courses, No. 15 Military Free Fall Course, No. 04 Jump Master and Airborne Operation Course, and No. 09 Special Airborne Force (SABF) received their well-deserved Paratrooper and SABF insignias. Among the recipients were 13 SLAF Officers and 83 Other Rankers, three SL Army Officers and 12 Other Rankers, three SL Navy Officers and 12 Other Rankers, and three STF Officers and four Other Rankers. Notably, amidst the distinguished proceedings of this POP, a historic milestone was achieved as three freefall paratroopers, all women sailors, made indelible marks in the annals of the SL Navy.
The event was graced by the presence of Commanding SLAF Station Ampara, Group Captain Lalith Sugathadasa, Commanding Officer Parachute Training School, Wing Commander Vijitha Gomis and Commanding Officer SABF, Wing Commander Sumedha Ritigala, who alongside the proud parents of the trainees, witnessed the ceremonious occasion.
The exemplary performances of Leading Aircraftman Karunarathna RMDR, Corporal Ariyawansha RMNCB, Able Seaman HPMM Ranasinghe and Leading Aircraftman Ranaweera RMCB were recognized during the event, as they were adjudged the Best Paratroopers of No. 54 and 55 Basic Airborne Courses, No. 15 Free Fall Parachute Course and No. 09 Special Airborne Force Course, respectively.
