Sri Lanka Air Force Women's Wing
| Sri Lanka Air Force Women's Wing | |
|---|---|
 Parade of airwomen (2012) | |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
The Sri Lanka Air Force Women's Wing was formed in 1983 which contains the female members of the Sri Lanka Air Force, both airwomen and lady officers. Only unmarried women can join. Members of this wing serve in the same roles as their male counterparts, including combat roles.[1][2] Women were first admitted to the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1972 when female officers joined the Volunteer Air Force.[3][4] The Women's Wing was formed on 1983 with the assistance of Women's Royal Air Force (Britain).[1] Initially, women could not become pilots.[3] However, in 1998 women were recruited to train for the elite pilots' wing to replace losses to the Tamil Tigers in their insurgency. 800 women applied for the 33 available places to fly transport planes.[5] Officers Commanding include:
- Air Vice Marshal G. D. Perera (? – 1 August 2002)[6]
- Group Captain M. H. Karannagoda (2 August 2002 – ?)[6]
The rank insignias for airwomen and lady officers are as same as their male counterparts and all airwomen can reach the rank of Master Warrant Officer which is the highest rank for an airman and also women can get all trades like men; on the other hand lady officers are not promoted more than Air Commodore.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Women's Wing". airforce.lk.
- ^ Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters. "Recruits Pass Out In Ampara". airforce.lk. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ a b Raj K. Mehta, Lost Victory: The Rise & Fall of LTTE Supremo, V. Prabhakaran, p. 135, Pentagon Press, 2010 ISBN 9788182744431.
- ^ "Air Force to increase women wing to 30 percent – AF Commander". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
- ^ Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada, "Sri Lanka: Organization and structure of the Sri Lankan Airforce including ranks, units, squadrons and the duties assigned to different personnel; location of squadrons and departments", UNHCR Refworld, Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, 14 March 2001.
- ^ a b "2002 Sri Lanka Air Force Annual Performance Report" (PDF). Parliament of Sri Lanka. p. 6.
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