The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Aviation Unit serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was redeployed from Bria to Obo last week (31 Dec) to carry out urgent operational duties in the high-risk Bambouti area of Sector East.

According to the SLAF, this deployment was necessitated by urgent troops resupply and troop insertion tasks in the high-threat and volatile operational area of Bambouti in Sector East, assessed as one of the most challenging within the MINUSCA Area of Responsibility.

In support of this task, the SLAF-operated Mi-17 helicopter UNO 325P was assigned to conduct an essential troops’ resupply mission to Bambouti on the same day of deployment at Obo. 

Given the prevailing threat environment, the operation was executed with coordinated close air support provided by the Tunisian Aviation Unit’s Black Hawk helicopter UNO 316P, ensuring enhanced security throughout the mission profile.

Upon landing at Bambouti and completing the offloading of approximately 1800 kg of troop resupply, the security situation deteriorated rapidly as armed hostile elements were observed advancing toward the helicopter, posing an immediate threat to the aircraft, aircrew, and UN personnel on the ground. 

At the time, fourteen (14) Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldiers were under the protection of the MINUSCA Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Bambouti. Through a timely and well-coordinated response, the aircrew ensured the protection and extraction of these fourteen personnel from Bambouti, demonstrating exceptional situational awareness and decisive leadership under pressure.

The SLAF aircrew executed a rapid take-off, thereby averting a potential loss of life. The aircraft subsequently departed the area safely and returned to Obo without sustaining any damage or casualties.

The mission was conducted by an experienced SLAF aircrew led by Wing Commander Nuran Perera as Captain Pilot with Flight Lieutenant Shafrid Iqbal as Co-Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Praveen Rathnayake as Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant Senevirathne WCN as Loadmaster and Sergeant Bandarra MGSK together with Corporal Weerasinghe KPS serving as Air Gunners. (Newswire)

SLAF Mi-17 crew bravely delivers vital supplies and rescues UN personnel in high-threat Bambouti. Courage, skill and precision above the clouds.
More details: https://t.co/cIChYYJFEl#SLAF #UN #MINUSCA #Airdrops #airliftoperations #srilankaairforce #abovetheclouds pic.twitter.com/wfQXG8Bl1k

— Sri Lanka Air Force (@airforcelk) January 1, 2026

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The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit, operating under the United Nations mandate in the Central African Republic (CAR), successfully carried out a critical Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) mission recently (15 Dec), under extremely hostile and volatile conditions.

The mission was launched in response to an urgent request for the evacuation of two United Nations personnel who had sustained combat-related injuries in the Zemio area. 

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said demonstrating exceptional operational readiness and professionalism, the mission was executed using a Mi-17 helicopter (UNO 325P).

The aircraft was captained by Wing Commander Nelson De Silva, with Flight Lieutenant Arunoda Ekanayake serving as Co-Pilot. The aircrew comprised Squadron Leader Sandeepa Wijayathunga, Sergeant Senevirathne WCN, and Corporal Rodrigo DVPM. The Aeromedical Evacuation Team consisted of Group Captain Sujith Perera, Flight Sergeant Sumedha KW and Flight Sergeant Karunadasa RDH, who provided critical in-flight medical care to the casualties.

The extraction site was located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of the Zemio Permanent Operating Base (POB) and presented significant operational challenges. These included extremely dusty landing conditions, an unstable and rapidly evolving tactical environment, and the requirement for a precision landing under constant threat. Despite these constraints, the aircrew displayed remarkable courage, sound judgment, and outstanding airmanship throughout the operation.

A comprehensive threat assessment conducted by the Captain, taking into account the critical condition of the casualties, reflected exceptional adaptability and operational decision-making. Through meticulous planning, effective coordination, and unwavering commitment to mission success, the CASEVAC operation was executed flawlessly.

The total flight duration of the mission was 1 hour and 45 minutes. The injured personnel were safely extracted from the hostile location and successfully transported to Bangui for advanced medical treatment. (Newswire)

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