SLAF FIRE SCHOOL CONDUCTS AIR SEA RESCUE TRAINING EXERCISES
12:07pm on Sunday 22nd December 2024
The Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron at SLAF Base Katunayake conducted a series of Air Sea Rescue training exercises as part of the No. 7 Air Sea Rescue Advanced Course and the No. 6 Air Sea Rescue Refresher Course. These exercises, which took place on 16 December 2024 at Lanka Hospital Cooperation PLC, Narahenpita and on 18 December 2024 at Browns Beach, Negombo, displayed the participants’ skills and readiness in responding to high-rise building emergencies and air-sea rescue scenarios.
The practical sessions allowed participants to apply advanced rescue techniques in real-world environment, reinforcing the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during the courses. The trainees demonstrated exceptional competence in High Rise Building Rescue (HRBR) operations and air-sea rescue missions, reaffirming the SLAF’s commitment to operational excellence and preparedness.
The successful completion of these exercises marked the culmination of the No. 7 Air Sea Rescue Advanced Course and the No. 6 Air Sea Rescue Refresher Course, which spanned 45 working days and concluded on 20 December 2024 at SLAF Base Katunayake. The comprehensive training programme was facilitated under the guidance of the Base Commander, Air Vice Marshal Dammika Dias and included modules on high-rise building rescues, safety measures and the latest methodologies in air-sea rescue operations.
A total of 19 personnel participated for the exercise, including one Officer and one Rappel Master, alongside experienced personnel who joined the refresher course to update their skills.
The successful execution of these courses was made possible through the supervision of the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera and the Director General Training, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva.
The practical sessions allowed participants to apply advanced rescue techniques in real-world environment, reinforcing the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during the courses. The trainees demonstrated exceptional competence in High Rise Building Rescue (HRBR) operations and air-sea rescue missions, reaffirming the SLAF’s commitment to operational excellence and preparedness.
The successful completion of these exercises marked the culmination of the No. 7 Air Sea Rescue Advanced Course and the No. 6 Air Sea Rescue Refresher Course, which spanned 45 working days and concluded on 20 December 2024 at SLAF Base Katunayake. The comprehensive training programme was facilitated under the guidance of the Base Commander, Air Vice Marshal Dammika Dias and included modules on high-rise building rescues, safety measures and the latest methodologies in air-sea rescue operations.
A total of 19 personnel participated for the exercise, including one Officer and one Rappel Master, alongside experienced personnel who joined the refresher course to update their skills.
The successful execution of these courses was made possible through the supervision of the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera and the Director General Training, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva.
The exercise was coordinated by the Chief Fire Officer of the SLAF, Group Captain Hemantha Balasooriya, along with the Commanding Officer of No. 4 Squadron SLAF Base Ratmalana, Group Captain ABR Wijewardena, the Commanding Officer of the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron, Wing Commander Chamil Hettiarachchi and the Chief Instructor Squadron Leader Denuka Gunathilake.
