Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) replaced a 117-member contingent, led by Group Captain AFM Shamimul Islam, at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Republic of Mali, a press release of Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said on Monday.
As part of the replacement, 111 BAF members left Dhaka for Mali by UN chartered aircraft last night. Earlier, a six-member advance team left Dhaka for Mali on September 18.
Bangladesh Air Force also deployed three MI-171 helicopters for the first time in Mali on September 20. The helicopters will do transportation of UN officials and staff and medical evacuation.
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin) Air Vice Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and senior BAF officers saw the Mali-bound BAF Contingent off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Sunday night.
Special Munajat was offered seeking more excellence of the contingent in future at departure lounge of HSIA prior to their departure for Mali.
