The Regiment Special Force (RSF) is a Sri Lanka Air Force 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 reports to the SLAF Commander through Director Ground Operations for the efficient and effective function.
History The squadron was formed due to the Bandaranaike Airport attack by the LTTE. Initially formed as Air Base Defence and Rescue Squadron at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda on 07 July 2003, it was renamed in 2006 as Regiment Special Forces Wing. The unit then shifted to SLAF Station Morawewa in 2007.
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
Source:
Handguns
Glock 17 M9 SIG Sauer P226 Beretta 92 CZ-SP-01
Assault Rifles
M16 (M16A3 and M16A4) M4 QBZ-95 SAR-21 Type 56-2 Type 56 (Ceremonial purposes only) MZ-47
Shotguns
Armsel Striker Franchi SPAS-15 Benelli M4
Sub-machine Guns
Uzi MP5 (MP5A3, MP5SD6, MP5KA5)
Machine Guns
Type 80 machine gun FN MAG PKM FN Minimi
Sniper Rifles
L96A1 PSG1 M93 SIG Sauer SSG 3000 Grenade Launchers
M203 MGL
Rocket Launchers
Type 69 RPG
Anti-Aircraft Weapons Systems
SA-18 L40/70 ZSU-23-2 TCM-20
Vehicles
Unibuffel Defender Unicorn
Mortars
W84 Type 89
See also Military of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Air Force Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Air Force Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment Special Boat Squadron
References
External links Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Air Force Passing Out Parade of Regiment Special Force, Air Force News