COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- The Indo-Pacific Safety Air Forces Exchange – Colombo 2026, co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Air Force and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, was successfully conducted May 11-14, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Colombo, in line with the SLAF 75th Anniversary celebrations. The event brought together Air Force personnel, flight safety specialists and subject matter experts from 14 Indo-Pacific partner nations. All SLAF Base Flight Safety Officers and Flight Safety Officers from all Flying Formation attended the event, recognizing it as a rare opportunity to participate collectively in significant numbers.
The safety exchange commenced with opening remarks delivered by the SLAF director of flight safety, Air Vice Marshal Dinesh Jayaweera, followed by U.S. Air Force Col. H. Warren Rohlf, PACAF director of safety. Throughout the four-day program, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions, professional exchanges and collaborative sessions focused on contemporary flight safety challenges and operational risk management practices.
The conduct of ISAFE Colombo 2026 also marked another significant international engagement organized in parallel with the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the SLAF. In line with the vision of commemorating this historic milestone through enhanced international collaboration and professional engagement, SLAF has hosted subject matter expert exchanges during its anniversary year.
The exchange covered a broad spectrum of safety-related themes, including accident prevention strategies, human factors in aviation, operational risk management, safety investigation procedures and lessons learned from recent aviation incidents. Participants also shared country-specific safety practices, technological advancements and experiences related to flight operations in diverse operational environments.
The event concluded with a formal closing ceremony graced by the director general of air operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, who delivered the closing address and participated in the presentation of certificates to the delegates and participants. Finally, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joshua Ramirez, PACAF deputy chief of aviation safety, formally concluded the event.