Who's the genius who suggested switching off the lights in sensitive areas when the alarm goes off?

by Capt. G. A. Fernando The Island

So the "Flying Tigers" have done it again. Who's the genius who suggested switching off the lights in sensitive areas when the alarm goes off? Does he not know that they are navigating by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) which is accurate to within three or four metres. So switching off lights will not help. If there is a mosquito menace from a pond close by, using mosquito repellants is not the answer. We must drain the pond! Have we given thought to who the other Zlin 143 operators are? Is there any way of blocking the essential spares for these aircraft? (This is not a very popular aircraft) This may be an effective way of grounding the aeroplanes.

May I humbly suggest a few fixes to this menace? We need 24/7 surveillance of the Wanni. That cannot be achieved by Unarmed Arial Vehicles (UAVs). What is needed is an aircraft like the Hawkeye E -2C which has downward looking Radar that can monitor all air activity from high altitude (out of missile/ Zlin 143 range). It can also monitor communications, direct fighter/ bombers to targets and has a host of "secret" equipment which can provide early warning of air activity and aircraft departing from the rebel airports such as Iranamadu. The Hawkeye carries a crew of seven (two pilots and five operators) who can wreak havoc in the "enemy" territory.

The time is right as I understand Royal Singapore Air Force is retiring their Hawkeye aircraft for more "hightec" aircraft. A brand new Hawkeye costs about fifty million US dollars. A secondhand aircraft could be picked up for much less. Just for comparison an Airbus A340 costs about US dollars hundred million. The United States might even loan us some if requested (purpose built for our operation without all their fancy secret stuff!) Some of the other Hawkeye operators are Israel, Japan and Indonesia. I should think four aircraft would suffice for round the clock operation.

Thought should be given to day and night interception procedures and practice. There is a misconception that it is impossible for a high performance aircraft such as a MIG to intercept a much slower aircraft like the Zlin 143. I remember a Sri Lankan registered Piper Cherokee was flying from Karachi to Bombay about fifteen years ago and was successfully intercepted by an Indian Air Force MIG. It has to be a well coordinated effort with Ground and Airborne Radar.

Every time the "Flying Tigers" approach BIA and the Air Force starts firing into the air it is going to kill our Tourism Industry. Serious thought has to be given to the fact that SLAF fighter/bomber operation has to be shifted to some other undisclosed location immediately, at least till the threat is over.

The above may be easier said than done. Unfortunately it is a "no pain no gain" affair.

If my airspace is violated once, shame on you. If it is violated twice, shame on me!