SLAF BASE VAVUNIYA CONDUCTS OPERATIONAL FLYING AND GROUND TRAINING EXERCISE TO ENHANCE MISSION READINESS AND AIR MINDEDNESS
In accordance with the directives of the Commander of the Air Force and the Director General Air Operations, SLAF Base Vavuniya conducted a scenario Bases Operational Flying and Ground Training Exercise yesterday (22 July 2026) under the guidance of the Base Commander, Group Captain Chandana Ratnayake. The exercise, conducted utilizing a Y-12 aircraft from No. 08 Squadron, while aiming to enhance operational competence, emergency response capability and air mindedness among service personnel through the demonstration of realistic operational scenarios. The exercise conducted involving all relevant stakeholders of the Base, while strengthening inter agency coordination, reinforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and improving preparedness for aircraft related emergencies. Furthermore, all Base personnel were given the opportunity to witness the exercise, promoting operational awareness and a greater appreciation of aviation safety practices.
The training programme comprised a series of realistic operational and emergency scenarios, such as bird strike, fuel leakage, casualty evacuation procedure (CASEVAC) of injured passengers, aircraft firefighting, and communication failure procedures. The Base Disaster Assistance and Response Team (DART), together with all supporting teams, actively contributed to the successful execution of each training serial, demonstrating effective coordination, disciplined emergency response and sound decision making under the given simulated operational conditions.
Radar guidance for the exercise was provided by No. 02 Air Defence Radar Squadron, while Air Defence (AD) systems were employing for in visual tracking drills. These activities enhanced aircraft tracking proficiency, air defence coordination and operational effectiveness in a realistic environment. Comprehensive pre exercise briefings and a post exercise debrief were conducted by the Exercise Coordinator and the Base Commander to evaluate operational performance while highlighting the consolidate lessons identified in order to enhance future training standards.
As part of the Base community engagement initiative, preschool children were invited to witness the selected phases of the exercise and were given the opportunity to have a close look of the Y-12 aircraft under the supervision of qualified aircrew.
The training programme comprised a series of realistic operational and emergency scenarios, such as bird strike, fuel leakage, casualty evacuation procedure (CASEVAC) of injured passengers, aircraft firefighting, and communication failure procedures. The Base Disaster Assistance and Response Team (DART), together with all supporting teams, actively contributed to the successful execution of each training serial, demonstrating effective coordination, disciplined emergency response and sound decision making under the given simulated operational conditions.
Radar guidance for the exercise was provided by No. 02 Air Defence Radar Squadron, while Air Defence (AD) systems were employing for in visual tracking drills. These activities enhanced aircraft tracking proficiency, air defence coordination and operational effectiveness in a realistic environment. Comprehensive pre exercise briefings and a post exercise debrief were conducted by the Exercise Coordinator and the Base Commander to evaluate operational performance while highlighting the consolidate lessons identified in order to enhance future training standards.
As part of the Base community engagement initiative, preschool children were invited to witness the selected phases of the exercise and were given the opportunity to have a close look of the Y-12 aircraft under the supervision of qualified aircrew.