The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit, working below the United Nations mandate within the Central African Republic (CAR), efficiently carried out a crucial Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) mission lately , below extraordinarily hostile and risky situations.
The mission was launched in response to an pressing request for the evacuation of two United Nations personnel who had sustained combat-related accidents within the Zemio space. Demonstrating distinctive operational readiness and professionalism, the mission was executed utilizing a Mi-17 helicopter (UNO 325P).
The plane was captained by Wing Commander Nelson De Silva, with Flight Lieutenant Arunoda Ekanayake serving as Co-Pilot. The aircrew comprised Squadron Chief Sandeepa Wijayathunga, Sergeant Senevirathne WCN, and Corporal Rodrigo DVPM. The Aeromedical Evacuation Workforce consisted of Group Captain Sujith Perera, Flight Sergeant Sumedha KW and Flight Sergeant Karunadasa RDH, who offered crucial in-flight medical care to the casualties.
The extraction website was positioned roughly 20 kilometers northeast of the Zemio Everlasting Working Base (POB) and offered vital operational challenges. These included extraordinarily dusty touchdown situations, an unstable and quickly evolving tactical setting, and the requirement for a precision touchdown below fixed menace. Regardless of these constraints, the aircrew displayed exceptional braveness, sound judgment, and excellent airmanship all through the operation.
A complete menace evaluation performed by the Captain, considering the crucial situation of the casualties, mirrored distinctive adaptability and operational decision-making. By way of meticulous planning, efficient coordination, and unwavering dedication to mission success, the CASEVAC operation was executed flawlessly.
The full flight length of the mission was 1 hour and 45 minutes. The injured personnel have been safely extracted from the hostile location and efficiently transported to Bangui for superior medical remedy.
