The Special Airborne Force (SABF) also known as Special Airborne Wing is the first elite special force in Sri Lanka Air Force and forms part of the SLAF Regiment. It provides air assault capabilities and VVIP protection. Formed out of the Administrative Regiment Branch in 1989 by Air Vice Marshal Oliver Ranasinghe, it initially under took counter insurgency operations during the 1987–1989 JVP insurrection. In the Sri Lankan Civil War it provided VIP protection under the Chief Provost Marshal, until it was transferred to the Directorate of Ground Operations. Role The Special Air Borne Force performs the following roles: V.V.I.P and V.I.P Protection operations Counter Assault operations Counter terrorism operations Counter insurgency operations Counter penetration operations Military operations in urban terrain Special missions in rescue operations Special covert operations Sky marshal operations in domestic and international commercial flights Training SABF personnel are specialised in VIP Protection, bomb disposal, firefighting, water survival, anti-hijack and rescue operations. Advanced training is carried out at the Sri Lanka Army Special Force training school at Maduruoya and SLAF Katunayake. References Sri Lanka Air Force Paratroopers Military parachuting Airborne units and formations of Sri Lanka Air force ground defence units and formations Military units and formations established in 1990 Sri Lanka Air Force Wings Special forces of Sri Lanka