| Special Airborne Force (SABF) | |
|---|---|
 SABF insignia | |
| Active | 1989 |
| Country |  Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Type | SpecialAirborne forces |
| Role | Special Operations,VIP Protection,Anti-Hijack and Hostage Rescue operations,Urban warfare,Urban combat rider duties |
| Part of | Directorate Of Ground Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | SLAF Headquarters |
| Nickname | SABF |
| Anniversaries | July 7 |
| Engagements | 1987–1989 JVP insurrection Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Wing Commander Sumedha Ritigala |
TheSpecial Airborne Force (SABF), also known asSpecial Airborne Wing, is the first elite special force in the Sri Lanka Air Force and forms part of theSLAF Regiment. It providesair assault capabilities and VVIP protection.
Formed out of the Administrative Regiment Branch in 1989 byAir Vice MarshalOliver Ranasinghe, it initially under took counter insurgency operations during the1987–1989 JVP insurrection. In theSri Lankan Civil War it provided VIP protection under the Chief Provost Marshal, until it was transferred to the Directorate of Ground Operations.[1]
The Special Air Borne Force performs the following roles:[2][1]
SABF personnel are specialised in VIP Protection,bomb disposal,firefighting, water survival,anti-hijack and rescue operations. Advanced training is carried out at theSri Lanka Army Special Force training school atMaduruoya andSLAF Katunayake.[1][3]