Active 1994 – Present Role Air transport Engagements Sri Lankan Civil War | Branch Sri Lanka Air Force Station SLAF Hingurakgoda | |
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Equipment Bell 212,
Bell 206,
Mi-24 | ||
No. 7 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 212s, Bell 206s from SLAF Hingurakgoda for troop transport, MEDEVAC and training helicopter pilots.
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History
In 1994, No. 4 Helicopter Wing was split into two Squadrons namely 401 and 402. No. 401 Squadron took charge of operational flying requirements and pilot training, and was located at SLAF Hingurakgoda with Bell 212 and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters in its fleet. It was later renamed as the No. 7 Squadron in July 1996 when Squadron Leader KVB Jayampathy was commanding. No. 402 Squadron remained at SLAF Katunayake and flew Bell 412 and Bell Jet Rangers, largely catering to VIP movement. In 1995 Mil Mi-24 were temporarily attached to this squadron before forming their own No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron.Flying Officer Asela Wickramasinghe was the youngest to command a helicopter at the age of 22.Pilot Officer Ravi Dharmawickrama was the first volunteer pilot ever to command a helicopter in battle field. Further he achieved a VIP rating when ranked flying officer a year after.