No. 4 Squadron SLAF
| No. 4 (VVIP/VIP) Helicopter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | January 15, 1971 - to present day |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Role | VIP Air transport |
| Station | SLAF Ratmalana |
| Equipment | Bell 412EP |
| Engagements |
1971 Insurrection, Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Decorations | 3 Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Air Chief Marshal Oliver Ranasinghe |
No. 4 (VVIP/VIP) Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 412/412EP/212/206JR from SLAF Ratmalana for VVIP/VIP Air transport.
Established on January 15, 1971 as No. 4 Helicopter Squadron with Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopters. With role of VIP transport, reconnaissance, cargo transport, air/sea and jungle rescue. In 1983 the squadron permanently positioned several Bell 212 and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters at SLAF Palaly, in support of the Army in Jaffna. These were used both for troop transport and ground attack. In 1987 the Squadron was upgraded to an Air Wing as the No. 4 Helicopter Wing. They played a major role during the Vadamarachchi Operation in 1987, deploying Commandos behind enemy lines. In 1990 a helicopter of the squadron took part in the daring Operation Eagle, in which it flew into the besieged Jaffna Fort re-supply and casualty evacuation. The following year the squadron provided air cover for the besieged Silawaturai camp for 72 hours continuously and were able to save the camp from being overrun by the LTTE, who had surrounded the camp in large numbers. During the siege of Elephant Pass aircraft of the squadron provided extensive air cover and airlifted the casualties. In 1993 during the Battle of Pooneryn the squadron flew in reinforcement and later evacuated Army and Navy personal under heavy enemy fire.
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. No. 402 Squadron remained at SLAF Katunayake and flew Bell 412 and Bell Jet Rangers, largely catering to VIP movement.
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