The Air Mobile Brigade is a formation of the Sri Lanka Army which functions as a rapid deployment force using air mobility provided by the mostly Mil Mi-17s of the No. 6 Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The brigade was established in 1994 under the command of Brigadier H. N. Halangoda. Currently it is attached to the 53 Division.[2]
| Air Mobile Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1994-Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Rapid deployment force |
| Role | Air assault Airlift Close air support Close-quarters combat Forward observer Jungle warfare Raiding Reconnaissance |
| Size | Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Velankulam |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Colonel Thilak Sangalipola [1] |
Military operations undertaken
edit- Operation Riviresa - 1995
- Operation Jayasikurui - 1997
- Operation Kinihira - 2000
- Operation Agnikheela - 2001
- Eastern Theatre of Eelam War IV
- Northern Theatre of Eelam War IV
Current Units
edit- 24th Battalion, Sri Lanka Light Infantry
- 12th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 5th/7th Gemunu Watch
- 3rd Battalion, Gajaba Regiment
- 1st Battalion, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Past Brigade commanders
edit- Brigadier Kamal Gunaratne
- Brigadier Shavendra Silva
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Army at doorstep of last Tiger stronghold". Archived from the original on 2009-05-16. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ^ "Air Mobile Brigade: For the Nation's Dazzling Future". Daily News. Retrieved 8 October 2021.