SLAF AIRCREW THWARTS HOSTILE THREAT IN HIGH-RISK BAMBOUTI MISSION
The SLAF Aviation Unit deployed at Bria under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was temporarily detached to Obo today (31 December 2025) to undertake critical operational commitments. This deployment was necessitated by urgent troops resupply and troop insertion tasks in the high-threat and volatile operational area of Bambouti in sector east, assessed as one of the most challenging within the MINUSCA Area of Responsibility.
In support of this task, the SLAF operated Mi-17 helicopter UNO 325P was assigned to conduct an essential troops’ resupply mission to Bambouti on the same day of deployment at Obo. Given the prevailing threat environment, the operation was executed with coordinated close air support provided by the Tunisian Aviation Unit’s Black Hawk helicopter UNO 316P, ensuring enhanced security throughout the mission profile.
Upon landing at Bambouti and completing the offloading of approximately 1800 kg of troop resupply, the security situation deteriorated rapidly as armed hostile elements were observed advancing toward the helicopter posing an immediate threat to the aircraft, aircrew, and UN personnel on the ground. At the time, fourteen (14) Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldiers were under the protection of the MINUSCA Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Bambouti. Through a timely and well coordinated response, the aircrew ensured the protection and extraction of these fourteen personnel from Bambouti demonstrating exceptional situational awareness and decisive leadership under pressure, the SLAF aircrew executed a rapid take-off thereby averting a potential loss of life. The aircraft subsequently departed the area safely and returned to Obo without sustaining any damage or casualties.
The mission was conducted by an experienced SLAF aircrew led by Wing Commander Nuran Perera as Captain Pilot with Flight Lieutenant Shafrid Iqbal as Co-Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Praveen Rathnayake as Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant Senevirathne WCN as Loadmaster and Sergeant Bandarra MGSK together with Corporal Weerasinghe KPS serving as Air Gunners.
In support of this task, the SLAF operated Mi-17 helicopter UNO 325P was assigned to conduct an essential troops’ resupply mission to Bambouti on the same day of deployment at Obo. Given the prevailing threat environment, the operation was executed with coordinated close air support provided by the Tunisian Aviation Unit’s Black Hawk helicopter UNO 316P, ensuring enhanced security throughout the mission profile.
Upon landing at Bambouti and completing the offloading of approximately 1800 kg of troop resupply, the security situation deteriorated rapidly as armed hostile elements were observed advancing toward the helicopter posing an immediate threat to the aircraft, aircrew, and UN personnel on the ground. At the time, fourteen (14) Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldiers were under the protection of the MINUSCA Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Bambouti. Through a timely and well coordinated response, the aircrew ensured the protection and extraction of these fourteen personnel from Bambouti demonstrating exceptional situational awareness and decisive leadership under pressure, the SLAF aircrew executed a rapid take-off thereby averting a potential loss of life. The aircraft subsequently departed the area safely and returned to Obo without sustaining any damage or casualties.
The mission was conducted by an experienced SLAF aircrew led by Wing Commander Nuran Perera as Captain Pilot with Flight Lieutenant Shafrid Iqbal as Co-Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Praveen Rathnayake as Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant Senevirathne WCN as Loadmaster and Sergeant Bandarra MGSK together with Corporal Weerasinghe KPS serving as Air Gunners.