Regiment Special Force
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.
| SLAF Regiment Special Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2003 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Special operations |
| Size | Classified |
| Part of | Directorate of Ground Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | SLAF Station Morawewa |
| Nickname(s) | RSF |
| Motto(s) | Never accept defeat |
| Anniversaries | 7 July |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War, Rescue Missions |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Wing Commander Priyadarshana Hettiarachchi |
History
The squadron was formed due to the Bandaranaike Airport attack by the LTTE.. Initially formed as Air Base Defence and Rescue Squadron on 7 July 2003 it was later renamed as Regiment Special Forces Wing in 2006.
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.
- 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 Fighting
Most 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 Reconnaissance
SR 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.
- RSF basic course
- Heli-born Course
- Water-born Course
- Tactical Urban Fighting Unit (TUF)
- Special operations phase for advance Regt Cadets.
- Jungle Survival Course for air crews
- Orientation courses for Air gunners
- Refresher courses for RSF
- QRT Course
- Leadership Training for out siders
- Team building Corse for School cadets
Equipment
- Handguns
- Assault Rifles
- Sub-machine Guns
- Machine Guns
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- Snipers
- Grenade Launchers
- Rocket Launchers
- Anti-Aircraft Weapons Systems
- Vehicles
- Mortars
W84- Type 89