FELICITATION CEREMONY HONOURS AIR CHIEF MARSHAL WALTER FERNANDO (RETD) FOR ILLUSTRIOUS SERVICE
4:55pm on Wednesday 31st July 2024
Air Chief Marshal Andibuduge Walter Fernando (Retd) VSV, ndc, psc was born on the 12th of December, 1932.From a young age, ACM Fernando was captivated by the allure of flying. He joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force as an Officer Cadet in January 1953, as part of the second batch of pilots. He received his wings after training in Ceylon and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. Following further training in navigation and ground instructions with the Royal Air Force – United Kingdom, he returned to Ceylon as one of the first helicopter pilots of the Royal Ceylon Air Force.
In 1958, ACM Fernando became the Navigation Officer at Royal Ceylon Air Force Katunayake and played a pivotal role in ferrying two de Havilland Herons from the UK to Ceylon. By 1959, he was appointed Chief Ground Instructor, Flying Wing of the Royal Ceylon Air Force.
In 1970, then Squadron Leader Walter Fernando took command of the No. 4 Helicopter Flight with three Bell Jet Ranger206s, which later became the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron. Under his command, this squadron excelled in VIP transport, reconnaissance, cargo transport and rescue operations. His leadership roles expanded as he served as Commandant Air Force Academy and Base Commander at SLAF Base China Bay and the Director of Flying Operations.
In 1981, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Force, serving in that capacity until April 1985. On 01 May 1985, he became the 7th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He relinquished command on 31st July 1990. He was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal upon retirement and was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence – the first ever Air Force officer to rise to this appointment
A special Felicitation Ceremony was held at the Air Force Museum, SLAF Base Ratmalana today (31 July 2024), in honour of Air Chief Marshal Walter Fernando (Retd). The event was conducted under the direct supervision of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa.
The ceremony commenced with a ceremonial street line being accorded to Air Chief Marshal Fernando (Retd). He was accompanied by Commander of the Air Force and the Base Commander SLAF Base Ratmalana, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara. Following this, Air Chief Marshal Fernando (Retd) was escorted to the Gallery of the former Commanders, where a special portrait of him was presented.
Subsequently, Air Chief Marshal Fernando (Retd) and the distinguished guests were led to the main hangar of the Air Force Museum for the felicitation ceremony. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, delivered the official welcome address.
The ceremony concluded with remarks by the Base Commander, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara, who highlighted key achievements and significant milestones during Air Chief Marshal Fernando's tenure as the 7th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. .
In 1958, ACM Fernando became the Navigation Officer at Royal Ceylon Air Force Katunayake and played a pivotal role in ferrying two de Havilland Herons from the UK to Ceylon. By 1959, he was appointed Chief Ground Instructor, Flying Wing of the Royal Ceylon Air Force.
In 1970, then Squadron Leader Walter Fernando took command of the No. 4 Helicopter Flight with three Bell Jet Ranger206s, which later became the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron. Under his command, this squadron excelled in VIP transport, reconnaissance, cargo transport and rescue operations. His leadership roles expanded as he served as Commandant Air Force Academy and Base Commander at SLAF Base China Bay and the Director of Flying Operations.
In 1981, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Force, serving in that capacity until April 1985. On 01 May 1985, he became the 7th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He relinquished command on 31st July 1990. He was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal upon retirement and was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence – the first ever Air Force officer to rise to this appointment
A special Felicitation Ceremony was held at the Air Force Museum, SLAF Base Ratmalana today (31 July 2024), in honour of Air Chief Marshal Walter Fernando (Retd). The event was conducted under the direct supervision of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa.
The ceremony commenced with a ceremonial street line being accorded to Air Chief Marshal Fernando (Retd). He was accompanied by Commander of the Air Force and the Base Commander SLAF Base Ratmalana, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara. Following this, Air Chief Marshal Fernando (Retd) was escorted to the Gallery of the former Commanders, where a special portrait of him was presented.
Subsequently, Air Chief Marshal Fernando (Retd) and the distinguished guests were led to the main hangar of the Air Force Museum for the felicitation ceremony. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, delivered the official welcome address.
The ceremony concluded with remarks by the Base Commander, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara, who highlighted key achievements and significant milestones during Air Chief Marshal Fernando's tenure as the 7th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. .
