In retrospect of No 4 Squadron

19 October 2023 12:00 am Views - 842

​Part 1 

In retrospect of No 4 Squadron

 

• No 4 Helicopter Squadron played a major role during the Vadamarachchi Operation in 1987
• In 1990 a helicopter of the squadron took part in Operation Eagle, in which it flew into the besieged Jaffna Fort to re-supply and casualty evacuation
• The President’s Colour Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit of Sri Lanka

The following year the squadron provided air cover for the besieged Silawaturai camp for 72 hours continuously and was able to save the camp from being overrun by the LTTE, who had surrounded the camp in large numbers. During the siege of Elephant Pass aircraft of the squadron provided extensive air cover and airlifted the casualties 

While the practice of carrying the colours into battle has stopped, the tradition of receiving, holding, and parading the colours continues. In addition, Presidential colours are a reminder to all ranks of their loyalty and duty to their Republic, their country, and their service. The colours are highly valued, carefully guarded, and highly respected 

Eelam War I (1983–1987) was the initial phase of the conflict between the government and the LTTE and other Tamil militant groups. Although tensions between the government had been brewing since the 1970s, the full-scale war did not break out until an attack by the LTTE on a Sri Lanka Army patrol in Jaffna, on July 23, 1983, which killed 13 soldiers. The attack and the subsequent riots in the south are generally considered the start of the conflict. Although the home of the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron continued to be Katunayake,

it positioned several Bell 212 and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters at Palali, in support of the Army in Jaffna. These helicopters moved supplies to the forward-based Army Camps, supported ground troops by being configured with either machine guns or rocket pods, joined in offensives, and also performed casualty evacuation operations. No 4 Helicopter Squadron played a major role during the Vadamarachchi Operation in 1987, deploying commandos behind enemy lines. It was also known as Operation Liberation the military offensive carried out by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in May and June 1987. The offensive started at the dawn of 26 May 1987, with eight SLAF Bell 212/412 helicopters dropping a group of commandos across the lagoon to cut off/block exit points from Vadamarachchi which the militants would escape to the south,

south-west, and the east coast of Vadamarachchi to prevent militants from escaping. And two Bell 212 helicopters in gunship roles were also used. India responded by sending five An-32s aircraft escorted by Mirage 2000s armed with the threat of “would be met by force” if opposed by the Sri Lanka Air Force. During this operation, 22 tons of humanitarian relief supplies were dropped in the Jaffna area on June 4 1987 in Operation Poomalai. This operation was claimed as a violation of the territorial sovereignty of Sri Lanka. 
Military intelligence discovered that LTTE Leader Prabakaran, along with then Vadamarachchi Leader Soosai, narrowly escaped from advancing troops. By May 31, the government declared that the Vadamarachchi region had been recaptured and several army camps were established.

In 1990 a helicopter of the squadron took part in Operation Eagle, in which it flew into the besieged Jaffna Fort to re-supply and casualty evacuation. Operation Eagle was to resupply and rescue critically wounded service personnel from the old Dutch Fort of Jaffna held by the Sri Lanka Army and besieged by the LTTE on July 3, 1990. The successful rescue operation gained headlines, leading to much rejoicing island-wide and helped increase morale. The Bell 212 was flown by Squadron Leader Lasantha Waidyaratne, with Flight Lieutenant Avindra Mirando as his co-pilot, and Raula Fernando and Wimaladharma Sooriyadasa as air gunners. Wing Commander Sunil Cabral was the Operation Commander. The following year the squadron provided air cover for the besieged Silawaturai camp for 72 hours continuously and was able to save the camp from being overrun by the LTTE, who had surrounded the camp in large numbers. During the siege of Elephant Pass aircraft of the squadron provided extensive air cover and airlifted the casualties. In addition, the squadron has also carried out many relief operations during natural disasters such as the tank bund breach at Kantalai in 1986, floods and earth slips in Kegalle in 1989, and flood relief in Welioya in 1993. Further search and rescue missions were carried out during the southern floods in 2003 and, the rescue and relief operations during the 2004 tsunami. The SLAF helicopters joined in all subsequent operations in support of the ground troops throughout the conflict. However, the dedicated roles changed with the induction of the Mi-17 and Mi-24 Helicopters to the SLAF fleet. Since 1994 No 4 Squadron was not directly involved in operational flying. However, the pilots and helicopters of the No 4 squadron continued to augment the operational flying as and when required. 

The President’s Colour Award

 In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours befittingly. The President’s Colour Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit of Sri Lanka. The presentation of the colours by the Commander in Chief is an acknowledgement of the unit’s meritorious service to the nation. While the practice of carrying the colours into battle has stopped, the tradition of receiving, holding, and parading the colours continues. In addition, Presidential colours are a reminder to all ranks of their loyalty and duty to their Republic, their country, and their service. The colours are highly valued, carefully guarded,

and highly respected. As per the available records since December 1985 the No 4 Squadron has flown approximately 50320 hours to its credit. 

Joining No 4 Squadron 

With the expansion of the helicopter fleet in 1985 for the much-needed deployments in the operational areas additional pilots were required. To fulfill this requirement Air Force Headquarters posted three (03) pilots from No 2 Squadron which was the fixed wing squadron to No 4 Squadron in January 1985. Due to the strong representations made to the Air Force Headquarters, the number was reduced to two (02) pilots.

As a result of this decision Flying Officer Upul Samarakoon and I were posted to the No 4 squadron in January 1985. Both of us were given an intense crash course on the Bell Jet Ranger 206 as our initial conversion to helicopters. Our training was conducted by Wing Commander Sunil Cabral and the late Group Captain Roger Weerasinghe who was a Flight Lieutenant. We started our helicopter flying on the 30th of January 1985. After completing the Bell Jet Ranger training the requirement was to covert both of us within a minimum delay to fit in as co-pilots to the Bell 212. Our training on the Bell 212 was carried out by Captain Duane Spies, a Bell Helicopter Textron flying instructor and he was also an ex-military Vietnam veteran. Our Bell 212 transition course was completed as scheduled and were deployed as co-pilots in the operational areas. Also, in 1985 the Keenie Meenie Service (KMS) provided pilots to fill the shortfall of our pilots. KMS No 4 Squadron President’s Colours was a British private military contractor set up by former Special Air Service (SAS) officers in 1975.

It operated as a mercenary force in countries where the United Kingdom had political interests. For the challenge posed the short-term induction of KMS pilots eased the operational situation satisfactorily. We as young Flying Officers flew with these veteran pilots of the KMS as co-pilots. Though we were co-pilots we were also designated as the commander of the helicopter who could make the operational decisions. The flying decisions were made by the KMS Captain. All the KMS pilots had diverse levels of combat experience. We learned the finer points of combat flying from them like, Nap of the Earth Flying and Low-Level Navigation and Air gunnery on the job. No Global Positioning System (GPS) which is a satellite-based Navigation system was fitted on helicopters at that time. The navigation was purely on dead reckoning which is the process of calculating the current position using a previously determined position, or fix, by using estimations of speed, heading direction, and course over elapsed time that was a heavy workload for the pilot. With the ever-changing small arms threat the flying altitude changed to higher levels. We continuously changed the Modus operandi of our operation to counter the fluid enemy operational scenario. At the onset of the conflict, LTTE was reluctant to engage helicopters, however with the conflict maturing LTTE initially engaged the helicopters with small arms at helicopters and graduated to 5 zero fire and then rocketpropelled grenades. All helicopters encountered such firing as a regular feature during that time. The introduction of high-caliber weapons compelled pilots to fly over 2,500 feet.

However, the appearance of heat-seeking missiles at Eelam War III in April 1995 changed the battle scenario and air picture completely. During this period our flying attachments varied to suit the operational demand. 

Flying Distinguished Personalities

 In the previous years and the present role, the squadron has been flying many distinguished personalities such as heads of state. These flights involve a complex set of protocols and security measures to ensure the safety and smooth execution of the conveyance to the selected destination. When foreign states are concerned these protocols vary depending on the country and the specific circumstances. The helicopters used for the head of state’s travel meet stringent technical and security standards and are thoroughly checked pre and post each flight. The most important factor that needs to be considered in this aspect is the acceptance of the flying and technical protocols by the respective governments. Especially getting clearance from the stringent protocols of the Royal Household of the UK, which is exceptional, and they provide invaluable support to the Royal Family - enabling them to fulfil their duties to protect the Queen/King. When it comes to his holiness Pope it’s by the Swiss Guards, Italian Guardia Svizzera, a corps of Swiss soldiers responsible for the safety of the pope. They serve as personal escorts to the pontiff and as watchmen for Vatican City obtaining their clearance is an achievement of its own.

Further, all heads of state have their protocols and unless all the aspects are fulfilled, they do not permit their head of state to be flown by us. The transportation of a head of state is given top priority, and extensive security measures are in place to ensure their safety during travel. There has not been a single instance that the No 4 Squadron has failed to achieve the required certification which could be considered as a proud professional achievement and a “Feather in One’s Cap.” 

Ajith Dabare

 In pursuance of information received on enemy boats on the Madagal coast, Bell Jet Ranger helicopter CH 555 had got airborne on a reconnaissance mission. Then Sri Lanka army Captain Aruna Jayathilaka, Lance Corporal P L S L Cooray, and Corporal R M Ratnayake joined on the reconnaissance Flight Lieutenant Dabare flew his helicopter without any unusual issues. The route had been between the Mandativu island and the Jaffna peninsula. At approximately 7.30 pm, the helicopter unexpectedly crashed into the lagoon and disintegrated into pieces, while the three army personnel were able to save their lives. Lance Corporal Cooray’s efforts to save everyone’s lives were futile. Lance Corporal Cooray couldn’t reach Flight Lieutenant Ajith Dabare in severe darkness though he was about 500 metres away. The calm body of the pilot, who was still floating away in the water, was found the next day by a rescue operation team. Flight Lieutenant Ajith Dabare joined the 6 th Intake Sri Lanka. 
Air Force as an ambitious cadet officer on 29 May 1979. This brave officer who sacrificed his life for duties, amidst bad weather, is considered the first pilot to sacrifice his life in the air during the Elam War. After this incident, many other pilots departed forever whilst performing operational flying duties and for other reasons. Speaking of the good times gone by at No 4 squadron I should mention the following aviators who have departed forever whilst performing duties or due to other reasons. We continue to hold dear the memories of the cockpit and the crew room, honouring those who have passed away, including Sqn Ldr Ana Jayasinghe, Group Captain Roger Weerasinghe, AVM PB Premachandra, Flight Lieutenant Ajith Dabare, Wing Commander Faizal Caseer, Group Captain Jagath Rodrigo, Flight Lieutenant Kasun Cumarathunge, Wing Commander Priyantha Weeraman, Wing Commander Tyronne Silvapulle, Squadron Leader Thilina Kaluarrachchi, AVM Ravindra Liyanagamage, Flight Lieutenant Rajiv Kulathunga, Flight Lieutenant Aruna Peiris, Squadron Leader Dushan Edirisinghe, and Group Captain Wasantha Jayawardena who were a part of the squadron/wing pride. If any names of other brave aviators have been missed accept my humble apologies for the same. Finally, I wish to give credit and acknowledge the assistance provided by SLAF for the information provided, and also to Mr. Shamindra Ferdinando for his series of articles on “Sri Lanka war on terror revisited” and Also, other authors for the extracts of their interviews/open source articles, the book, Glory of Iron Wings SLAF 1951-2021. In conclusion, I pause and remember all the officers and other ranks of the squadron who shed sweat, tears, and finally blood for the benefit of the squadron and paid the supreme sacrifice to protect our motherland. Safe Flying and Happy landings to the No 4 Squadron!(End)
 (The writer is Ambassador to Afghanistan  and President Association of  Retired Flag Rank Officers)