Regiment Special Force Explained

Unit Name:	SLAF Regiment Special Force
Dates:	2003 - Present
Country:	Sri Lanka
Branch:	Sri Lanka Air Force
Type:	Special Forces
Role:	Special operations
Size:	Classified
Command Structure:	Directorate of Ground Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force
Garrison:	SLAF Station Morawewa
Nickname:	RSF
Motto:	Never accept defeat
Battles:	Sri Lankan Civil War, Rescue Missions
Anniversaries:	7 July
Current Commander:	Wing Commander Priyadarshana Hettiarachchi

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]

History

The squadron was formed due to the Bandaranaike Airport attack by the LTTE.. 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.

Role

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.^[2]
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

CQB or Close Combat FightingMost 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 ReconnaissanceSR 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

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.