PM inaugurates Naval Aviation

CHITTAGONG, Dec 27 (UNB): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Tuesday formally named the naval commando base of Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) as "Nirvik'' and inaugurated the Naval Aviation. SWADS, the organisation of naval commando and divers, began its journey in 2009 and so far trained about 150 naval commandos and 200 divers. Speaking on the occasion the PM expressed the hope that 'Sea, Air and Land (SEAL)', the specially trained commando unit under SWADS will play significant role at any critical juncture of the nation. She also expressed the hope that the naval commandos would play a leading role in curbing any terrorist activities, robbery and smuggling of illegal weapons and drugs on river and sea waters. Hasina said that the diving and salvage group would be able to conduct salvage operation in rescuing people and river craft after any river accident. The PM conveyed her gratitude to the US government through US Ambassador Dan Mozena for their continued support for training and development of SWADS. She said that the friendship between Bangladesh and USA and the two navies would be strengthened in the future She also expressed her gratitude to the Italian government through Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino for providing two marine helicopters to the Bangladesh Navy. The PM said that the government signed an agreement to purchase two maritime patrol aircraft from Dornier, a German company. The aircraft will join the Naval Aviation within 2013.