The Regiment Special Force (RSF) is a Sri Lanka Air Forces elite special force unit, which is part of the SLAF Regiment. It was raised in 2006.The RSF Wing is an independent formation of the SLAF and commanded by a Commanding Officer who is responsible to the Commander of the Air Force through Director Ground Operations for the efficient and effective function.[1]

SLAF Regiment Special Force
Active2003 - Present
CountrySri Lanka
BranchSri Lanka Air Force
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleSpecial operations
SizeClassified
Part ofDirectorate of Ground Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force
Garrison/HQSLAF Station Morawewa
Nickname(s)RSF
Motto(s)Never accept defeat
Anniversaries7 July
EngagementsSri Lankan Civil War, Rescue Missions
Commanders
Current
commander
Wing Commander Priyadarshana Hettiarachchi

History

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The squadron was formed due to the Bandaranaike Airport attack by the LTTE.[2] Initially formed as Air Base Defence and Rescue Squadron at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda on 07 July 2003. It was later renamed as Regiment Special Forces Wing in 2006.Then shifted to SLAF Station Morawewa in the year 2007.[1]

Role

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  • CA/CP/Reinforcement Operations.
  • Battlefield Rescue/ Recovery Operations with respect to downed aircraft/aircrew and passengers.
  • Sea/Air/Land  disaster related search and rescue missions related to natural and man made disasters.[3]
  • Securing landing zones/pickup zones for insertion extraction of special operations forces of Army/Navy/Air Force.
  • Recapturing air bases.
  • Provide defenses in an enemy attack as a rapid deployment force.
  • Rescue operations and recovering of downed air crew in enemy or friendly terrain.
  • Assist civil authorities in national emergency.

Capabilities

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CQB or Close Combat Fighting

Most Air Bases are heavily built up due to availability of aircraft hangars and other related infrastructure. RSF skills on house clearance and close quarter fighting provides an added advantage for operating effectively with minimum collateral damage in Air Bases.

Special Reconnaissance

SR by the RSF can be highly effective when conventional or tactical collection assets are unable to collect information of operational significance.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Airborne Forces
Combat Search and Rescue
Security Warfare And Advanced Tactics Course

Training

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The unit's personnel are trained in air base rescue operations, field craft, bomb disposal, fire fighting, water survival and rescue operations. Advanced training is carried out at the Sri Lanka Army Special Force training school at Maduruoya.

  • RSF basic course
  • Heli-born Course
  • Water-born Course
  • Tactical Urban Fighting Unit (TUF)
  • Special operations phase for advance Regt Cadets.
  • Jungle Survival Course for air crews
  • Orientation courses for Air gunners
  • Refresher courses for RSF
  • QRT Course
  • Leadership Training for out siders
  • Team building Corse for School cadets

      

Equipment[2]

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Sri Lanka Air Force Unibuffel APC
Handguns
Assault Rifles
Sub-machine Guns
Machine Guns
Snipers
Grenade Launchers
Rocket Launchers
Anti-Aircraft Weapons Systems
Vehicles
Mortars

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "REGIMENT SPECIAL FORCE (RSF) CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY | Sri Lanka Air Force". www.airforce.lk. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Joseph, Dishan (24 November 2021). "SLAF airborne commandos "Never Accept Defeat"". Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  3. ^ "REGIMENT SPECIAL FORCE (RSF) SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTS INTENSIVE HELIBORNE SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING | Sri Lanka Air Force". www.airforce.lk. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
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