The ceremony was graced by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Qi Zhenhong.

The No. 8 Tactical Transport Squadron, renowned as “The Cradle of Transport Pilots,” laid the foundation for this historic occasion on 02 April 1996.

Originally equipped with eight Y-12 II aircraft (SCL 851 to SCL 859) inducted in 1987, these aircraft played a pivotal role in various air operations during the local theatre of war.