A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aviation unit serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) successfully completed an emergency casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) mission after an armed attack left multiple peacekeepers and civilians injured.
The operation was launched following an attack on a patrol by the Zambian Battalion in the Am Dafok area on June 30. According to the SLAF, the patrol came under heavy fire from an unidentified armed group using assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, causing casualties among Zambian peacekeepers, civilians, Gendarmerie personnel and other security forces.
The Sri Lankan aviation unit was assigned to the mission after another helicopter scheduled for the operation was unable to take off due to adverse weather conditions.
Despite the challenging weather and deteriorating security situation, a Mi-17 helicopter commanded by Group Captain Asiri Pathirage, with Flight Lieutenant Dilhash Athapaththu serving as co-pilot, flew to Am Dafok to carry out the rescue.
The crew landed at a partially secured helipad, rapidly boarded the injured while keeping both engines running to reduce time spent on the ground, and safely departed the area.
An onboard Aeromedical Evacuation Team provided continuous medical care during 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 flown to Bria for transfer to a Level 2 medical facility.
The SLAF said the successful operation demonstrated the professionalism and commitment of its personnel, who continue to perform demanding peacekeeping duties under difficult operational and security conditions as part of the United Nations mission in the Central African Republic.
