No. 1 Wing SLAF
Encyclopedia
No. 1 Flying Training Wing currently based at SLAF China Bay
, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.
s in 1950. However the No 1 Squadron was formally established with the creation of it for pilot training and No 2 Squadron
for transport in 1955. Both were base at RAF Negambo. In the 1963 the squadron became the No. 1 Flying Training School and moved to RCyAF China Bay
in 1963 and in 1971 took up advanced training and later was upgraded to an Air Wing
. In August 1988 the unit was moved to SLAF Anuradhapura due to the Civil War
, however it has been shifted back to SLAF China Bay
in 2009.
In March 2001, on the 50th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force the unit was presented the President’s Colours
.
SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...
, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.
History
The roots of the Wing goes back to the formation of the Royal Ceylon Air Force when pilot training began with de Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkDe Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years...
s in 1950. However the No 1 Squadron was formally established with the creation of it for pilot training and No 2 Squadron
No. 2 Squadron SLAF
No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:...
for transport in 1955. Both were base at RAF Negambo. In the 1963 the squadron became the No. 1 Flying Training School and moved to RCyAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...
in 1963 and in 1971 took up advanced training and later was upgraded to an Air Wing
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
. In August 1988 the unit was moved to SLAF Anuradhapura due to the Civil War
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
, however it has been shifted back to SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...
in 2009.
In March 2001, on the 50th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force the unit was presented the President’s Colours
Colours, standards and guidons
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
.
Aircraft operated
Year of introduction- Cessna 150Cessna 150The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane, that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.The Cessna 150 is the seventh most produced civilian plane ever, with 23,839 aircraft produced...
- Nanchang CJ-6Nanchang CJ-6-See also:-External links:***...
- SIAI Marchetti SF.260W - 1985
- Boulton Paul BalliolBoulton Paul Balliol|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X....
- 1954 - de Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkDe Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkThe de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years...
- 1950
Notable members
- Air Vice Marshal E. R. AmarasekaraEdward AmerasakeraAir Vice-Marshal Ekanayake Edward Rohan Amerasekera DFC & BAR, RCyAF third Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force and World War II Royal Air Force Navigator.-Early life and education:...
, DFCDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
& BAR, RCyAF - former Commander of the Air ForceCommander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...
(1962–1970) - Air Chief MarshalAir Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
DeshamanyaDeshamanyaDeshamanya is the second highest Sri Lankan national honour awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka as a civil honour.It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name....
Paddy MendisPaddy MendisAir Chief Marshal Deshamanya Paddy Mendis MBIM, idc, psc, SLAF was the fourth Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force from 1971 to 1976.-Early life and education:...
, MBIM, IDC, psc, SLAF - former Commander of the Air ForceCommander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...
(1971–1976) - Air Chief MarshalAir Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Harry GoonatilakeHarry GoonatilakeAir Chief Marshal W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.-Early life:...
, USPUttama Seva PadakkamaThe Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
, ndc, psc, SLAF - former Commander of the Air ForceCommander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...
(1976–1981) - Air CommodoreAir CommodoreAir commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Shirantha GoonatilakeShirantha GoonatilakeAir Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake RWP, RSP, SLAF was Sri Lankan aviator and most senior Air Force officer to be killed in action...
, RWPRana Wickrama PadakkamaThe Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of...
, RSPRana Sura PadakkamaThe Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka...
, SLAF - Commanding Officer Flying Training Wing