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SLAF aviation unit including helicopters to support UN peacekeepers in CAR
View(s):The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to send an Aviation Unit including aircraft, to South Sudan, on the request of the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Force,
Accordingly, three Mi-17 helicopters from the SLAF fleet, along with17 professionals of the SLAF and 105 officials attached to other divisions were deployed under the United Nations Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) last Tuesday. This is the first ever aircraft deployment by Sri Lanka and SLAF under a UN mandate.
Air Marshal Kolitha Gunathilaka said that the SLAF helicopters were sent to assist the ground units by monitoring the activity and providing air transportation for VIP’s as well as medical transportation.
He said that the SLAF is waiting for the UN to make arrangements for the three helicopters to be sent.“This is a historic moment for the country as well as the SLAF. We were selected for this mission after a comparative evaluation and process,” he said, adding that this would increase the trust and confidence of the military forces of Sri Lanka.
He said that the deployment of SLAF personnel would be good for the country’s image as well as bring economic gains to the country. “The UN requested helicopters five years ago, but the SLAF was not able to send them as a result of the war that was going on in the country. The same request came back and we are able to supply helicopters and Air Force Personnel to the UN, with the approval of the Defense Ministry and the Government,” he added.