Heroic SLAF mission saves 14 lives after deadly attack in Africa

A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aviation unit deployed with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) successfully carried out an emergency casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) mission after an armed attack left multiple people injured. The mission was launched after troops from the Zambian Battalion came under attack while conducting a patrol in the Am Dafok area on 30 June. According to the SLAF, the patrol was attacked by an unidentified armed group using assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, resulting in casualties among Zambian peacekeepers, civilians, Gendarmerie personnel and other security forces. The Sri Lankan aviation unit was tasked with the mission after another helicopter assigned for the operation was unable to depart due to adverse weather conditions. The Mi-17 helicopter, commanded by Group Captain Asiri Pathirage with Flight Lieutenant Dilhash Athapaththu as co-pilot, flew to Am Dafok despite the deteriorating security situation. Upon arrival, the crew landed at a partially secured helipad, quickly embarked the injured while keeping both engines running to minimise time on the ground, and departed the area. An onboard Aeromedical Evacuation Team provided continuous treatment throughout the flight. The mission successfully evacuated 14 casualties. Nine were transported to the Level 1 Hospital at Birao Airfield, while five critically injured patients were airlifted onward to Bria for transfer to a Level 2 medical facility. The SLAF said the operation was carried out under challenging weather and security conditions as part of its peacekeeping duties with the United Nations mission in the Central African Republic. (Newswire)