A comprehensive Real-Time Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise was conducted along the shoreline of Panadura Beach (29 March 2023) by No. 07 Squadron in collaboration with the Regiment Special Forces (RSF) personnel of No. 04 Search and Rescue Training course, under the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.
Pilots, RSF personnel and Air Gunners along with RSF instructors took part in this training exercise conducted by the Regiment Special Forces Training School with the participation of a Bell 212 helicopter from No. 07 Helicopter Squadron at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, two boats with lifesavers from the Rapid Action Boats Squadron Sri Lanka Navy, combat diving personnel from the RSF Wing and Navy who were deployed at Panadura Beach for this real-time Search and Rescue exercise.
The training programme included Winch Operations and Rope Rescue Operations, which are used to search and recover victims in flood situations and at sea as well as seafarers in distress. The RSF Rescue teams were deployed at many SLAF establishments, including all helicopter squadrons, to conduct SAR missions in the country and they conducted many Search and Rescue operations to save the lives of victims.
The exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Commanding Officer of No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, Wing Commander Sameera Vidanapathirana and the Commanding Officer of the Regiment Special Forces Wing, Wing Commander Sumith Bandara, who led the training programme under the guidance and direct supervision of Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickramaratne and Director General Ground Operations, Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardana.