Air Force deploys second fleet of MI 17 helicopters to Sudan

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has deployed its second fleet of MI 17 helicopters as the Aviation Unit in South Sudan under the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).

Initially the required logistics had been dispatched to Juba, South Sudan by air and sea. Three MI 17 helicopters were initially dispatched to Entebbe, Uganda by an AN 124 cargo aircraft on 7 June 2015 with the required technical and aircrew of 23 personnel, the Air Force said.

The team, led by Wing Commander P.A.V. Samantha, which included the 23 members of the technical crew and aircrew, assembled the three MI 17 helicopters at Entebbe, Uganda and carried out ground and air tests successfully.

On 21 June, three MI 17 helicopters flew from Entebbe, Uganda to Juba, the capital of South Sudan. These three helicopters carried some of the personnel and equipment on them. The remaining members of the Sri Lankan Aviation contingent of 81 personnel arrived in Juba on 22 June. The total number of the members of the aviation contingent is 104.

Acceptances of the helicopters were carried out by two teams of South Sudan Civil Aviation and UN officials at the UNMISS HQ in Juba on 23 and 24 June respectively. After successful completion of the inspections, the helicopters were flown to Bor, which is the permanent base of the Sri Lanka aviation unit. 

The Sri Lanka Aviation contingent carried out two familiarisation sorties on 29 June to a destination named Pibore, which is 100 Nm East of Bor before starting the operational missions.

The Sri Lanka Aviation Contingent is capable of performing troop, cargo and VIP transportations, MEDIVAC/CASEVAC, SAR Ops, aerial reconnaissance and helicopter special operations in numerous destinations within the area of responsibility and will continue to maintain the highest professional standards and discipline in order to fly the Sri Lankan flag high in the UN as well as in the international arena.