No.2 Heavy Transport Squadron 66th Anniversary

No.2 Heavy Transport Squadron today (September 1) marks its 66th year of proud service to the motherland.

At its inception, the rce (RCAF), had only a few aircraft housed in No.1 Squadron. Later, with the development of the RCAF’s capacity during the stewardship of Air Vice Marshal JL Barker, a requirement arose for a separate Training Squadron and an Operational Squadron. As a result, on September 1, 1957, the No.1 Squadron was split into two, setting up the No.2 Squadron. Initially, No.2 Squadron comprised of Oxford Airspeed, Prestwick Pioneer, De-Havilland Dove aircraft and the S-51 Dragonfly helicopter, which was the first helicopter of the RCAF.

Initially, the squadron was located at SLAF Base Katunayake, carrying out Transport and Patrol duties. In September 1959, two De Havilland Herons were purchased from England and directly ferried by a local aircrew, to the Squadron, to enhance its operational capability. The arrival of Herons opened the door to the RCAF’s global operations, which extended as far as Indonesia to the east and Cairo to the west.

These international flights provided enough experience to the pilots and the navigators of the fast-developing RCAF. In 1973, the Squadron received the Convair 440 aircraft into service from Eastern Airlines, USA, to boost operations of HELITOURS, between Ceylon and the Maldives. In 1975, the DC 3 Dakotas came into operation, and towards the end of the 1979s, an HS 748 Avro was absorbed into the No.2 Squadron fleet. From 1983 to 1985, the Squadron acquired three Siai Marchetti SF 260TPs, one Avro and one Beech King aircraft. With the acquisition of the SF 260 TPs, the Squadron was capable of carrying out a combat role in support of Eelam War I.

In 1985, with the expansion of Katunayake International Airport, No.2 Squadron was shifted to Ratmalana. In 1986, another HS 748 (Avro), five SF 260 TPs and two Y-12 aircraft were added to its fleet. With the addition of the new aircraft, the Squadron expanded its role to Commercial Flights and Aerial Survey missions, in addition to transporting troops, VIPs and cargo.

In the late 1980s, DC 3, Doves and Herons were ceased from operation. On September 15, 1992, a significant bit of restructuring of the No.2 Transport Wing took place, dividing it into No.201 Heavy Transport Squadron and No.202 Light Transport Squadron. The No.201 Squadron operated HS 748 Avro, Y-8 and Cessna 421 aircraft and No.202 Squadron operated Y-12 and Beech King Aircraft, while both Squadrons were under the command of the No.2 Transport Wing, with all technical data for the No.201 Squadron computerised in 1992.

As a commercial venture, the SLAF Wet-leased two of its Avro aircraft to Air Lanka for a period of two months, from January to March 1992.

On November 8, 1995, No.201 Squadron was re-designated No.2 Heavy Transport Squadron, and No.202 Squadron as No.8 Light Transport Squadron, which operated under separate commands. Three Antonov 32B aircraft joined the fleet of No.2 Squadron in the same year.

However, this was the darkest period of No.2 Squadron’s history, when two HS 748 aircraft, two AN 32 aircraft and a Y-8 aircraft were shot down by the enemy during operational flights.

In 1996, the Squadron acquired four AN 32 aircraft to cater to the increased demand for transport in support of the ongoing operations and also to replace the two AN 32s lost in 1995. To increase its lift capability, the Squadron took delivery of two C-130 Hercules aircraft in late 2000. Another three AN 32s were also added to the fleet in the same year.

The present SLAF Commander Air Marshal RAUP Rajapaksa, was Commanding Officer (CO) for the period January 1, 2010 to 28 March 28, 2011. The first CO of the wing was Flt Lt PH Mendis. At present, Wing Cmdr HMM Samarakoon is Acting CO of No.2 Squadron.

In the past, it has been accepted that the largest percentage of flying has been carried out by the No.2 Squadron, with over 50% of total air operation hours by the SLAF, from 1996 to 2005. During this period, many of the Squadron’s pilots made the supreme sacrifice due to enemy fire.

However, the Squadron continued to discharge its responsibility in the challenging environment, with its remaining pilots, and kept the lifeline intact in the northern peninsular.

Although the designated role of the Squadron may sound limited in its area of responsibility, throughout its life span, No.2 Squadron has flown above and beyond its call of duty.