No 05 Jet Squadron celebrates 31st anniversary

Over 600 sorties during Eelam War IV

The No 05 Fighter Squadron known as the “Black Drongos” celebrated its 31st Anniversary yesterday (01)

Sri Lanka acquired four F 7 BS fighters, one FT 7 B trainer and two FT 5 trainers from China in early 1991. The aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka on Feb 1, 1991 and this gave birth to the No 5 Fighter Squadron. Squadron Leader H.D. Abeywickrema was appointed as its first Commanding Officer. The present Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana was also a founder member of the No 5 Fighter Squadron.

The SLAF statement is as follows: “Then Squadron Leader P. Gunasinghe, Flight Lieutenant S.K. Pathirana, Flight Lieutenant I.J.I. Wijetilleke and Flight Lieutenant S. Hendawitharane were initial pilots in SLAF history to break the speed of sound and be considered as the pioneers of the supersonic fighter age.

The squadron’s initial operations commenced from SLAF Base Katunayake, but was soon shifted to China Bay in 1994 as a measure of reducing the response time and to act promptly for operational requirements. However, due to security concerns it was later re-shifted to its home Base at Katunayake in 1996. As a measure of enhancing the No 5 Fighter Squadron’s Air Interdiction and specialised low level strike capability six Russian MiG-27 and one MiG 23UB trainer were inducted to the squadron in 2000.

2007 was a remarkable year to the SLAF and to No 5 Fighter Squadron in terms of fleet enhancements.

The modern F-7 GS which is the advanced version of F-7 BS in relation to avionics including an AI Radar, sophisticated weapons delivery system with Air to Air missile strike capability and user-friendly glass cockpit was inducted. Much needed and well maintained SLAF air superiority over the nation was threatened with the emergence of the LTTE Air Wing followed by the first air space intrusion on 26 March 2007. The newly introduced F-7 ‘Air Guard’ fighters were called upon with expectations to live up to its literal reputation, being the first supersonic interceptor with air to air strike capability.

In the course of the Squadron’s remarkable trail it has been commanded by 10 Commanding Officers.

Shouldering its responsibility as the cradle of fighter pilots the squadron has produced more than 26 pilots who were the frontline fighters to face the brutal enemy counter attacks, delivering tons of explosives to weaken the enemy’s moral to fight back in the prolonged Eelam Wars.

No 05 Squadron has contributed its effort promptly and effectively whenever it was called upon with distinction and honour performing a multitude of Counter Air and Counter Surface Force Operations conducting an excess of 600 flying sorties during the humanitarian operations. The results of these efforts were clearly manifested in the nation’s ultimate victory over terrorism. The No 05 fighter Squadron continues to render its service to the nation as the leading air defence platform guarding the skies of our motherland and will continue to prosper in future with the latest updates and highly trained crew.

The No 5 Fighter Squadron was awarded President’s colours in 2021 considering the significant service rendered to the nation over the years.”