The 09th Sri Aviation contingent in MINUSCA recently carried out air operations to support 'Operation Bambouti' initiated by Force Headquarters to establish a UN presence in the far east of the country to secure the MSR4 (connecting the Central African Republic-South Sudan) from increasing security threats from several factions. The helicopter and crew were attached to the forward operating base on 06 May 2024 until 21 May 2024. The operation was designed to insert UN troops and subsequently airlift essential cargo to sustain the operation.

Sri Avn UNO 326P (SMH 4418) helicopter, captained by Squadron Leader Minaka Hettiarachchi, Wing Commander Amila Weerasinghe and Flight Lieutenant Janaka Kumara, carried out this well-coordinated mission daring the volatile security situation and harsh weather conditions.  During the mission, Sri Avn inserted Bangladesh Special Force (BANSF) and Rwanda Battalion (RWA BATT) troops into the Bambouti area, escorted/CAS by two TUN AVN Bell AB 205s. Our pilots logged more than 18 hours and airlifted approximately 15,000 kg of cargo in a short period of time.

The Force Commander of MINUSCA, Lieutenant General Humphrey Nyone and a higher-level delegation were flown to the newly established Bambouti Temporary Operating Base (TOB) on 20 May 24 in UNO 326P. The military leadership highly praised the pilots and technicians of Sri Aviation and appreciated their commitment towards ‘Operation Bambouti’.