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No. 1 Wing SLAF

{{Infobox military unit|

unit_name=No. 1 Flying Training Wing

| image= File:SriLanka-Independence - 4 Feb 2019 (42).jpg

| role=Training

| equipment=

| garrison=SLAF China Bay

| garrison_label=Station

| motto=

|current_commander=

|current_commander_label= Officer Commanding

|commander1=

|commander1_label=

|commander2=

|commander2_label=

|commander3=

|commander3_label=

|notable_commanders=Air Chief Marshal Paddy Mendis,
Air Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake

| identification_symbol=

| dates= 1955 - Present

| battle_honours=

}}

No. 1 Flying Training Wing currently based at SLAF China Bay, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It is the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.{{Cite web|title=THE "CRADLE OF MILITARY AVIATORS" IN SRI LANKA, THE NO 1 FLYING TRAINING WING COMPLETES 70 YEARS OF PROUD SERVICE TO THE NATION {{!}} Sri Lanka Air Force|url=http://www.airforce.lk/news.php?news=5095|access-date=2021-09-11|website=www.airforce.lk}}

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 Chipmunks 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.{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka Air Force Flying Training Wing|url=http://www.airforce.lk/ftw/history.php|access-date=2021-09-11|website=www.airforce.lk}} During the early years of the Civil War, the Wing engaged in Close Air Support.

In March 2001, on the 50th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force the unit was presented the President’s Colours.[http://www.airforce.lk/hist/50th/50award.htm AWARD OF COLOURS TO SLAF FORMATIONS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222231706/http://www.airforce.lk/hist/50th/50award.htm |date=2008-12-22 }}

In 2018 May, brand new six PT-6 training aircraft accepted from AVIC Hongdu in Nanchang, China. These aircraft will replace the old air frames.{{Cite web|title =The Commander Accepts Six (6) PT-6 Aircraft from CATIC|url = http://airforce.lk/news.php?news=3599|accessdate = 2018-05-20}}

Role

  • Basic flying training for SLAF flight cadets
  • Advanced and Fighter Conversion training course
  • Basic Air Traffic Control course
  • Limited Air Defence through karakorum-8 in interceptor role

Aircraft operated

Notable members

Gallery

File:SriLanka-Independence - 4 Feb 2019 (40).jpg|A Cessna 150 over Colombo in a training flight.

File:SriLanka-Independence - 4 Feb 2019 (48).jpg|SLAF K8 jets during military parade

File:PT-6 aircraft.jpg|PT-6 aircraft with the Sri Lankan flag.

File:SriLanka-Independence - 4 Feb 2019 (52).jpg|PT-6 aircraft fly pass in the Independence celebrations of the air force.

References

{{reflist}}

  • [http://www.airforce.lk/est/anu/anu.htm Sri Lanka Air Force Base Anuradhapura]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20060518070033/http://airforce.lk/hist/hist1/h1c1p4.htm Early Wings, SLAF]
  • [http://www.airforce.lk/pages.php?pages=award_of_colours_to_base_anuradhapura Award of Colours to SLAF Base Anuradhapura]

{{Sri Lanka Armed Forces Training Institutions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:No. 1 Wing Slaf}}

Category:Sri Lanka Air Force Wings

Category:Military units and formations established in 1955

Category:1955 establishments in Ceylon