On the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias and under the supervision of the Director Air Operations, the No 8 Squadron at SLAF Base Ratmalana has modified a Y-12 aircraft as an Air Ambulance.
The modified aircraft has been fitted with a specially designed Medical Evacuation Kit which is equipped with a ventilator, infusion pumps and vital sign monitors as well, which can be used for critically ill and ventilated patients. Due to the versatility of the aircraft the medial crew has more space to attend to the patient. A special detachable Medical Evacuation Bed was also designed by the Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing at SLAF Base Ratmalana.
The No 8 Squadron conducted an air test at SLAF Base Ratmalana yesterday (23 April 2020) where all systems of this new modification was checked in air. The air test was successful in all aspects and the mission was captained by the Commanding Officer of the No 8 Squadron, Group Captain Amal Perera. The Commanding Officer of the SLAF Hospital at SLAF Base Ratmalana, Group Captain Sujith Perera took part as the on board Aviation Medical Officer during the air test.
With this new development, the SLAF is capable of conducting medical evacuation operations for critically ill ventilated patients if required by Health Officials in their effort to control the COVID-19 outbreak.