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Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment

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Special Forces Regiment
File:Regimental Insignia SF.png
ActiveDecember 1986 - Present
CountrySri Lanka
BranchSri Lanka Army
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleAsymmetric warfare,
Counter Terrorism,
Special Operations
SizeFour Regiments
Part ofSpecial Forces Brigade
Regimental CentreSeeduwa
Nickname(s)SF
Motto(s)“Determined, Dared and Done”(අධිෂ්ඨානයෙන් අභීතව අරමුණ කරා)
ColoursRed and Black
Decorations2 Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
Commanders
Colonel of the RegimentVacant
Notable
commanders		Col A.F. Lafir PWV RWP RSP  †
Insignia
Identification
symbol		Black beret with regimental cap badge with Jolly Roger skull-and-crossed-bones arm patch "Special Forces" shouldier tab

The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment (SF) (Sinhalese: විශේෂ බලකාය) is one of two special operations units of the Sri Lanka Army alongside the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment. Since its inception as a combat tracker team in 1986, the unit gradually expanded into a brigade consisting of several regiments. It is the most secretive unit in the Sri Lanka Army.

History

The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces evolved from organization initially known as “Combat Tracker Team”. This group at the inception in 1985 had two Officers and 38 men and was to be tasked to carry out small group operations which have capability of operating deep in enemy territory against LTTE terrorism in time of war. This Combat Tracker Team led by the dedicated and devoted leadership of Maj Gen (retired) G. Hettiarachchi, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, psc from the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) (Then Major) and Col A.F. Lafir, PWV, RWP, RSP, (posthumous) (Then Lt. Col.). Subsequently with the formation of the Special Service Group (SSG) the Combat Tracker Team becomes the reconnaissance element of the SSG. Later as the SSG concept failed to materialized, the Combat Tracker Team changes its name as Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) (Special Force) and operated independently. With the massive successful results of the RDF it was gradually expanded to 04 squadrons. In December 1988 the RDF (SF) was officially designated as 1 st Regiment Special Forces. At present the Special Forces consist of a Regimental Centre, SF Brigade, Training School, 3 Battalions and Regimental Headquarter Battalion –Special Forces. Pakistan Army's Special Services Group has also been training Sri Lankan Special Forces Since 1986.

Function

Combat Rider Teams, Special Forces Regiment - Sri Lanka Army

Current SF roles are believed to include:

Selection

Passing selection training to join the Sri Lankan Army Special Forces is extremely tough,[citation needed] but the regiment does not aim to break the men or shatter their morale, what it wants recruits who can think ahead with initiative and a strong drive of determination to accomplish mission objectives.[citation needed] To this end the regiment has devised a very thorough shifting process, one that ensures that only the right men and highest quality applicants are selected.[citation needed] Training is punishing to ensure that the Sri Lankan Army Special Forces Regiment remains a high quality revolutionary outfit in the country.The Selection test consists of several stages such as Weapons handling,underwater training,Close-Combat training,Live Ammunition training,Jungle warfare,survival,Reconnaissance,Sniper training etc.After undergoing basic military training,recruits are deployed into several treacherous terrains such as jungles without any equipment or weapons and are ordered to survive for a period as specified by the relevant instructors(Usually 45–60 days). The recruits who succeed this initial selection test are given several more selection tests based on physical fitness such as Sprinting 50 miles(80 Kilometers) within 12 hours without equipment,sprinting 5 miles(8 kilometers) within 40 minutes with equipment,mountain climbing,underwater diving etc.The Recruits who pass these physical fitness selection tests are selected for special warfare training.The Recruits who qualify the special warfare training are given furthermore specialized training according to the special operative type they prefer.However, when selecting operatives for the LRRP(Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols)only the current(Active) servicemen of the Sri Lanka Army are admitted for selection with a service record and a medical report suiting the specifications of that of the LRRP selection course.

[1] [2]

Training

Special Forces Training School was established on 15 February 1992 and it is conducting the basic and specialized training for all Special Forces personnel.[citation needed] It also conducts special courses to train instructors from other battalions in the Army and has also helped to train Navy Special Boat Squadron personnel and Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force.

All SF personnel(regardless of their rank) have to undergo a refresher course (lasting one month) every year.[citation needed] There are no permanent members of SF, an individual will serve as long as he can live up to the set standards. Once declared unfit for their specialized duties, soldiers will be posted out of Special Forces.[citation needed]

A Combat Rider team of the Special Forces.
  • 1st Regiment Special Forces has a Combat Rider Squadron which consist of highly trained Special Forces soldiers who are mounted on motorcycles with cross country capability. They are proved to be forces to reckon-with, due to their quick reaction capability.They are usually deployed in operations such as Rapid Response,Dismounting special operations teams in deep battlespace,hit and run operations in deep battlespace, and Quick Assault.
  • 2nd Regiment Special Forces was initially raised in 1994 with 3 Squadrons. Today it is a fully fledged battalion with 04 fighting squadrons. It has a diving team with assault boats and consisting of highly trained divers specialized in beach reconnaissance, surveillance and limited strike ops closer to beaches, and also under water demolition capabilities.
  • 3rd Regiment Special Forces, which was established in 1996 as a Sea borne/combat diving force has now been tasked to operate on the ground role as another SF battalion as that role has been taken up by Special Boat Squadron of the Sri Lanka Navy. Today the 3rd Battalion Special Forces conducts special missions.

It also consists of Airborne Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP,"Lurp teams").

  • 4th Regiment Special Forces was established in 2008.
  • 5th Regiment Special Forces, which was established in 2009, was disbanded on 1 April 2012.
  • New special urban fighting squadron was rise on 16 April 2012 for Hostage Rescue and Counter Terrorism Missions.

Insignia

The insignia depicts Eagle has been regarded as symbol of courage and warlike qualities, a sing qua non for any member of the Special Forces. The superior imposition of the eagle indicated the ability the unit of scooping towards its prey. It is well equipped for its task with its hooked beak. Wonderful keen eyes help to locate the target, powerful wings help to rush to the target, curved talons help to grab the target and hooked bear help to destroy the target. All those magnificently adapted to its requirements.

File:Brig G Hettiarachchi.PNG
Brig. G. Hettiarachchi was a Major when he raised the Special Forces Regiment

Four Sharp Arrows- Placed on the background of the insignia and pointing to either side, depict the regiments basic concept of a 4 – man team and its capability of deep penetration(LRRP) into enemy territory and operating in small groups whose skills and have been sharpened as and arrows head. Placing them crossing each other is intended to give the idea of combined strength and mutual support within as well as with other forces in all types of operation.

Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya

Notable members

Order of precedence

Further reading

  • The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare by James F. Dunnigan[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sri-Lanka-Army-Special-Forces-Regiment-SF/28641274532
  2. ^ "Kiswitekath sathurata yatath nowana ma"-Sri Lanka Army Special Forces
  3. ^ Publisher : Citadel, Year:(June 1, 2003), Language: English, ISBN 0-8065-2415-4 / ISBN 978-0-8065-2415-3
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