No. 6 Squadron SLAF

Last updated
No. 6 Helicopter Squadron
Mi17-March2011-02.JPG
SLAF Mi17 of No. 6th squadron during Fire exercise
Active1993 - to present day
Branch Sri Lanka Air Force
RoleAir transport
Station SLAF Anuradhapura
EquipmentMil Mi-171, Mi-171SH, Mi-171E
Engagements Sri Lankan Civil War
United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad
United Nations Mission in South Sudan
Commanders
Current
commander		Wing Commander Kalinga Maheepala

No. 6 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Mil Mi-17s from SLAF Anuradhapura for troop transport.

Contents

History

The squadron was formed on March 15, 1993 SLAF Katunayake with the arrival of Mil Mi-17s. It was later moved to SLAF Vavuniya on April 29, 1993. The unit is tasked with the air movement of the Air Mobile Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army.

In 2014, Sri Lanka Air Force deployed an aviation unit, No. 62 Helicopter Flight under the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, with three Mi-17 helicopters from the No. 6 Helicopter Squadron along with 122 personnel consisting pilots, engineers and other supporting staff. [1] This was followed by a deployment to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. [2]

In March 2021, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. [3] [4]

Aircraft operated

Year of introduction

Notable members

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References

  1. ↑ Sri Lanka deploys unit under UN Mission in Central African Republic
  2. ↑ "Force Commander of United Nation Mission South Sudan Visits Sri Lanka Aviation Unit in South Sudan". airforce.lk. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "(PICTURES) President's Colors for 02 Squadrons of Sri Lanka Air Force". 5 March 2021.
  4. ↑ https://www.army.lk/news/air-force-awards-colours-two-squadrons
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