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South African Air Force

January 17, 2023

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force saw service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966, the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in the low-intensity Border War in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased, until in the late 1980s when the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states.

South African Air Force
Emblem of the South African Air Force
Founded1 February 1920; 102 years ago (1920-02-01)
Country South Africa
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Aerial defence
Air supremacy
Size10,815 active personnel
831 reserve personnel
229 aircraft
Part ofSouth African National Defence Force
Garrison/HQPretoria
Motto(s)Latin: Per aspera ad astra
"Through hardships to the stars"[1]
Engagements
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefPresident Cyril Ramaphosa
Chief of the Air ForceLieutenant general Wiseman S Mbambo[2]
Sergeant Major of the Air ForceColin Stanton-Jones
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Ensign
Aircraft flown
AttackBAE Hawk
Electronic
warfare		Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT
FighterJAS 39 Gripen
Attack helicopterRooivalk
Multirole helicopterAtlas Oryx, Lynx 300
Trainer helicopterAgusta A109
Utility helicopterAgusta A109
PatrolC-47TP
TrainerPilatus PC-7, BAE Hawk
TransportC-130, CASA C.212, Cessna Caravan

History

Main article: History of the South African Air Force

First World War

After a visit to observe the 1912 military manoeuvres in Europe, Brig. Gen. C.F. Beyers (who was then Commandant-General of the Defence Force) gave an extremely positive report on the future use of aircraft for military purposes to General Smuts. Smuts initiated an arrangement with private fliers in the Cape and established a flying school[3] at Alexandersfontein[a] near Kimberley, known as the Paterson Aviation Syndicate School, to train pilots for the proposed South African Aviation Corps.[4] Flying training commenced in 1913 with students who excelled on the course being sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon in Great Britain for further training. The first South African military pilot qualified on 2 June 1914.[5]

On the outbreak of the First World War, the Union Defence Force had realised the urgent need for air support which brought about the establishment of the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC) on 29 January 1915.[5] Aircraft were purchased from France (Henri Farman F-27) while the building of an airfield at Walvis Bay commenced in earnest in order to support operations against German forces in German South West Africa.[6] By June 1915 the SAAC was deployed to its first operational airfield at Karibib in German South West Africa in support of Gen. Botha's South African ground forces. The SAAC flew reconnaissance and leaflet dropping missions from Karibib and later from Omaruru, where improvised bombing missions were added when pilots started dropping hand grenades and rudimentary bombs by hand.[7] On 9 July 1915, the German forces capitulated and most of the pilots and aircraft of the SAAC were sent to Britain in support of the Imperial war effort.

Although the SAAC remained active, its activities were limited to ground training at the Cape Town Drill Hall, while the pilots who had been detached to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) were grouped to form No. 26 Squadron RFC and later becoming an independent squadron on 8 October 1915. No. 26 Squadron was equipped with Henri Farman F-27's and B.E.2c's and was shipped to Kenya in support of the war effort in German East Africa, landing in Mombasa on 31 January 1916.[8] The squadron flew reconnaissance and observer missions throughout the campaign until February 1918[9] when the squadron returned to the UK via Cape Town and arrived at Blandford Camp on 8 July 1918 and was disbanded the same day.[10] While the SAAC were engaged in German South West Africa and 26 Sqdn RFC in East Africa, many South Africans traveled to the United Kingdom to enlist with the Royal Flying Corps.[11] The number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3,000 men and suffered 260 active-duty fatalities over the Somme during the war. Forty-six pilots became fighter aces.[12][13]

Founding and the inter-war period

 
de Havilland/Airco DH.9: 49 of these aircraft were donated to South Africa as part of the Imperial Gift

On conclusion of the First World War, the British Government donated surplus aircraft plus spares and sufficient equipment to provide the nucleus of a fledgling air force to each of its Dominions. As part of this donation, which was to become known as the Imperial Gift,[14] South Africa received a total of 113 aircraft from both the British Government (100 aircraft) as well as from other sources (13 aircraft).[14][b]

On 1 February 1920 Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld was appointed as the Director Air Service with the task of forming an air force, the date is used to mark the founding of the South African Air Force. In December 1920 the South African National insignia was added to aircraft for the first time. An Orange, Green, Red and Blue roundel was added to an Avro 504K for trial purposes but the colours were found to be unsuitable and were replaced with a Green, Red, Lemon, Yellow and Blue roundel in December 1921. These colours remained until 1927 when they were replaced with the Orange, White and Blue roundels.[15]

The first operational deployment of the newly formed Air Force was to quell internal dissent, when in 1922 a miner's strike on the Johannesburg gold mines turned violent and led to the declaration of martial law. 1 Squadron was called to fly reconnaissance missions and to bombard the strikers' positions. Sorties in support of the police amounted to 127 flight hours between 10 and 15 March and this inauspicious start for the SAAF led to two pilot losses, two wounded and two aircraft lost to ground fire.[16] The SAAF was again deployed to suppress the Bondelzwart Rebellion at Kalkfontein between 29 May and 3 July 1922.[17]

Second World War

 
A Hawker Hart, one of the earliest bombers for South Africa

At the outbreak of the Second World War, South Africa had no naval vessels and the UDF's first priority was to ensure the safety of the South African coastal waters as well as the strategically important Cape sea-route. For maritime patrol operations, the SAAF took over all 29 passenger aircraft of South African Airways: 18 Junkers Ju 86Z-ls for maritime patrols and eleven Junkers Ju 52s for transport purposes.[18] SAAF maritime patrols commenced on 21 September 1939 with 16 Squadron flying three JU-86Z's from Walvis Bay.[19] had been established, eventually consisting of 6, 10, 22, 23, 25, 27 and 29 Squadrons.[20]

By the end of the Second World War in August 1945, SAAF aircraft (in conjunction with British and Dutch aircraft stationed in South Africa) had intercepted 17 enemy ships, assisted in the rescue of 437 survivors of sunken ships, attacked 26 of the 36 enemy submarines that operated around the South African coast, and flown 15,000 coastal patrol sorties.[18]

East Africa

In December 1939, The Duke of Aosta had sent a report to Mussolini recording the state of chronic unpreparedness of the Allied Forces in East Africa. The collapse of France in 1940 had prompted Mussolini to join the war on the side of the Axis and as a result, air force elements were moved to forward positions in occupied Ethiopia to mount air attacks on Allied forces before they could be re-inforced.[21] These deployments prompted Allied action and on 13 May 1940, 1 Squadron pilots were sent to Cairo to take delivery of 18 Gloster Gladiators and to fly them south to Kenya, for operations in East Africa. 11 Squadron, equipped with Hawker Hartebeests, followed to Nairobi on 19 May 1940 and were joined by the Junkers Ju 86s of 12 Squadron on 22 May 1940.[21]

The Kingdom of Italy declared war on 10 June 1940 and on the following day, the Ju 86s of 12 Squadron led the first air attack by the SAAF in the Second World War.[21] During the campaign, numerous SAAF aircraft were involved in air combat with the Italian Regia Aeronautica and provided air support to South African and Allied forces in the ground war. By December 1940, ten SAAF squadrons plus 34 Flight, with a total of 94 aircraft, were operational in East Africa (1 Squadron, 2 Squadron, 3 Squadron, 11 Squadron, 12 Squadron, 14 Squadron, 40 Squadron, 41 Squadron, 50 Squadron and 60 Squadron).[22] During this campaign, the SAAF formed a Close Support Flight of four Gladiators and four Hartebeests, with an autonomous air force commander operating with the land forces. This was the precursor of the Desert Air Force/Tactical Air Force "cab-rank" technique which were used extensively for close air support during 1943–1945.[23] The last air combat took place on 29 October and the Italian forces surrendered on 27 November 1941. A reduced SAAF presence was maintained in East Africa for coastal patrols until May 1943.[24]

Western Desert and North Africa

 
Lt. Robin Pare (left), squadron commander Major John "Jack" Frost (centre), who was the highest scoring ace in the SAAF during the Second World War, and Capt. Andrew Duncan (right) of 5 Squadron SAAF March/April 1942

SAAF fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance squadrons played a key role in the Western Desert and North African campaigns from 1941 to 1943.[16] One memorable feat was the Boston bombers of 12 and 24 Squadrons dropping hundreds of tons of bombs on Axis forces pushing the Eighth Army back towards Egypt during the "Gazala Gallop" in mid-1942.[16] SAAF bombers continually harassed retreating forces towards the Tunisian border after the Second Battle of El Alamein; the South African fighters of No. 223 Wing RAF helped the Desert Air Force gain air superiority over Axis air forces.[16] Between April 1941 and May 1943, the eleven SAAF squadrons[c] flew 33,991 sorties and destroyed 342 enemy aircraft.[16]

 
Supermarine Spitfire pilots of 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, at Gabes in Tunisia, April 1943

Conditions were however not ideal and pilots and crew were required to operate under critical conditions at times. Pilots were frequently sent home to the Union after gaining experience and did not return for many months, after which conditions in the desert had changed significantly and they were required to regain experience on different aircraft, different tactics and operations from different bases. There were cases where experienced fighter pilots were sent back to the Western Desert as bomber pilots for their second tour – compounding the lack of continuity and experience.[26] The South Africans did however command the respect of their German adversaries.[27]

The South Africans had the distinction of dropping the first and last bombs in the African conflict – the first being on 11 June 1940 on Moyale in Ethiopia and the last being on the Italian 1st Army in Tunisia.[28] The SAAF also produced a number of SAAF Second World War air aces in the process, including John Frost and Marmaduke Pattle.[29]

Madagascar

In fear of Japanese occupation and subsequent operations in the Indian Ocean in close proximity to South African sea lanes, Field Marshal Smuts encouraged the preemptive Allied occupation of the island of Madagascar.[30] After much debate and further encouragement by General de Gaulle (who was urging for a Free French operation against Madagascar), Churchill and the Chiefs of Staff agreed to an invasion by means of a strong fleet and adequate air support.[31] In March and April 1942, the SAAF had been conducting reconnaissance flights over Diego-Suarez and 32, 36 and 37 Coastal Flights[d] were withdrawn from South African maritime patrol operations and sent to Lindi on the Indian Ocean coast of Tanzania, with an additional eleven Bristol Beauforts and six Martin Marylands to provide ongoing reconnaissance and close air support for the planned operation – to be known as Operation Ironclad.[33]

During the amphibious / air assault carried out by the Royal Navy and Air Force on 5 May, the Vichy French Air Force consisting mainly of Morane fighters and Potez bombers had attacked the Allied fleet but had been neutralised by the Fleet Air Arm aircraft from the two aircraft carriers. Those remaining aircraft not destroyed were withdrawn by the French and flown south to other airfields on the island.[32] Once the main airfield at Arrachart aerodrome in Diego-Suarez had been secured (13 May 1942), the SAAF Air Component flew from Lindi to Arrachart. The air component consisted of thirty-four aircraft (6 Marylands, 11 Beaufort Bombers, 12 Lockheed Lodestars and 6 Ju 52's transports).[32] By September 1942, the South African ground forces committed to Ironclad had been party to the capturing the southern half of Madagascar as well as the small island of Nossi Be with the SAAF air component supporting these operations. During the campaign which ended with an armistice on 4 November 1942, SAAF aircraft flew a total of 401 sorties with one pilot killed in action, one killed in an accident and one succumbing to disease. Seven aircraft were lost, only one as a result of enemy action.[34]

 
A Bristol Beaufighter, in Italy August 1944.

Sicilian and Italian campaigns

By the end of May 1943, the SAAF had two Wings and sixteen squadrons in the Middle East and North Africa with 8,000 men. With the end of the North African campaign, the SAAF role underwent change – becoming more active in fighter bomber, bomber and PR operations as opposed to the fighter role performed in the desert.[35]

Five SAAF squadrons were designated to support the July 1943 invasion of Sicily – 1 Squadron operated combat air patrols over the beaches for the Operation Husky landings[35] while 2,[36] 4[37] and 5[38] Squadrons provided fighter bomber support during the Sicilian campaign. 30 Squadron (flying as No. 223 Squadron RAF during the campaign) provided light bomber support from Malta[39] and 60 Squadron was responsible for photo reconnaissance flights in support of all Allied forces on the island.[40] After successfully invading the island, a further three squadrons were moved to Sicily and the eight squadrons on the island were tasked with supporting the invasion of Italy: 12 and 24 Squadrons were responsible for medium bomber missions to "soften up" the enemy prior to the invasion while 40 Sqn was responsible for tactical photo-reconnaissance. 1 Squadron provided fighter cover for the 3 September 1943 landings while 2 and 4 Squadrons were responsible for bomber escort.[35]

 
Supermarine Spitfire Mark VCs of 2 Squadron SAAF based at Palata, Italy

The South African Air Force participated in the Allied campaigns in the following theaters:

  • Italy (1943–45): 2, 3 7 and 8 Wings fought in operations to liberate Italy from German occupation.
  • Yugoslavia (1943–44): 7 Wing and 8 Wing supported partisan operations against German occupation forces.
  • Balkans (1944–45): Some squadrons served with the Balkan Air Force in operations over Hungary, Romania and Albania.
  • Warsaw (1944): 2 Wing air-supplied Warsaw during Warsaw Uprising.
  • Greece (1944): 2 Wing supported British operations to liberate Greece and suppress the communist coup.

Other theatres

 
On 6 September 1944 16th SAAF Squadron bombed, among other places, Zenica bridge "Pehare", during Balkans campaign led from Italy
  • Atlantic (1943–45): Two squadrons patrolled convoy routes off West Africa and Gibraltar. (26 Squadron SAAF, Vickers Wellington XI's, Takoradi, Gold Coast, West Africa)
  • France (1944): A detachment took part in the Franco-American invasion of southern France.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, etc. (1944–45): 16th South African Air Force Squadron, stationed in Italy, made dozens of air strikes against German forces and collaborators in then Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc. during 1944 and 1945. On 6 September 1944, the 16th Squadron bombed Zenica, focusing on bridges.
Further information: List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in South Africa

Mobile Air Force Depot

The Mobile Air Force Depot (MAFD) was based in Pretoria. Its role during the Second World War was as a location where Air Crew could be stationed, on stand-by, prior to being posted to a more active squadron.

Berlin airlift

Post-war, the SAAF also took part in the Berlin airlift of 1948 with 20 aircrews flying Royal Air Force Dakotas. 4,133 tons of supplies were carried in 1,240 missions flown.[41]

Korean War

 
2 Squadron F51 Mustangs in Korea

At the outbreak of the Korean War, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of North Korean forces in South Korea. A request was also made to all UN members for assistance. After a special Cabinet meeting on 20 July 1950 the Union Government announced that due to the long distance between South Africa and Korea, direct ground-based military participation in the conflict was impractical and unrealistic but that a SAAF fighter squadron would be made available to the UN effort. The 50 officers and 157 other ranks of 2 Sqn[42] SAAF sailed from Durban on 26 September 1950 – they had been selected from 1,426 members of the Permanent Force who had initially volunteered for service. This initial contingent was commanded by Cmdt S. van Breda Theron DSO, DFC, AFC and included many World War II SAAF veterans.[43] The squadron was moved to Johnson Air Base near Tokyo on 25 September 1950 for conversion training on the F-51D Mustangs supplied by the US Air Force.[44]

On completion of conversion training, the squadron was deployed as one of the four USAF 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing squadrons[44] and on 16 November 1950 an advance detachment consisting of 13 officers and 21 other ranks (including the Squadron Commander and his four Flight Commanders who made the crossing in their own F-51D Mustangs) left Japan for Pusan East (K-9) Air Base within the Pusan Perimeter in Korea to fly with the USAF pilots in order to familiarise themselves with the local operational conditions.[43] On the morning of 19 November 1950, Cmdt Theron and Capt G.B. Lipawsky took off with two USAF pilots to fly the first SAAF combat sorties of the Korean War from K-9 and K-24 airfields at Pyongyang.[43]

 
SAAF C47 Turbo prop Dakota

On 30 November the squadron was moved further south to K-13 airfield due to North Korean and Chinese advances. It was again moved even further south after the UN forces lost additional ground to the North Koreans to K-10 airfield situated on the coast close to the town of Chinhae. This was to be the squadron's permanent base for the duration of their first Korean deployment. During this period (while equipped with F-51D Mustangs) the squadron flew 10,373 sorties and lost 74 aircraft out of the total 95 allocated. Twelve pilots were killed in action, 30 missing and four wounded.[44]

In January 1953 the squadron returned to Japan for conversion to the USAF F-86F Sabre fighter-bombers. The first Sabre mission was flown on 16 March 1953 from the K-55 airfield in South Korea, being the first SAAF jet mission flown. 2 squadron was led by ace pilot, Major Jean de Wet from AFB Langebaanweg. The squadron was tasked with fighter sweeps along the Yalu and Chong-Chong rivers as well as close air support attack missions. The squadron flew 2,032 sorties in the Sabres losing four out of the 22 aircraft supplied.[44]

 
SAAF Harvard trainer

The war ended on 27 July 1953, when the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. During the first phase of the war, the main task of the squadron Mustangs was the interdiction of enemy supply routes which not only accounted for approximately 61.45% of SAAF combat sorties, but which reached an early peak from January to May 1951 (78% and 82%). A typical interdiction mission was an armed reconnaissance patrol usually undertaken by flights of two or four aircraft armed with two napalm bombs, 127 mm rockets and 12.7 mm machine guns.[43] Later, after the introduction of the Sabres, the squadron was also called on to provide counter-air missions flying as fighter sweeps and interceptions against MiG-15's, but interdiction and close air support remained the primary mission.[43] Losses were 34 SAAF pilots killed, eight taken prisoner (including the future Chief of the Air Force, General D Earp) with 74 Mustangs and 4 Sabres lost.[44] Pilots and men of the squadron received a total of 797 medals including 2 Silver Stars, the highest US military award given to foreigners, 3 Legions of Merit, 55 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 40 Bronze Stars.[45] In recognition of their association with 2 Squadron, the OC of 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing issued a policy directive "that all retreat ceremonies shall be preceded by the introductory bars of the South African national anthem. All personnel will render the honour to this anthem as our own."[44]

On conclusion of hostilities, the Sabres were returned to the USAF and the squadron returned to South Africa in October 1953. During this period, the Union Defence Forces were reorganised into individual services and the SAAF became an arm of service in its own right, under an Air Chief of Staff (who was renamed "Chief of the Air Force" in 1966). It adopted a blue uniform, to replace the army khaki it had previously worn.

Rhodesian Bush War

The SAAF loaned aircraft and flew occasional covert reconnaissance, transport and combat sorties in support of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force (RRAF; renamed in 1970 as the Rhodesian Air Force (RhAF)) and the rest of the Rhodesian Security Forces from 1966 onwards. Notable operations included Operation Uric and Operation Vanity in 1979.

Border War

 
Mirage F1CZ, on tarmac in 1979

From 1966 to 1989, the SAAF was committed to the Border War, which was fought in northern South West Africa and surrounding states. At first, it provided limited air support to police operations against the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (the military wing of SWAPO, which was fighting to end South African rule of South West Africa). Operations intensified after the defence force took charge of the war in 1974. In July 1964, South Africa placed a development contract with Thomson-CSF for a mobile, all-weather, low-altitude SAM system after a South African order for the Bloodhound SAM system was refused by the UK government.[46] This became the Crotale, or 'Cactus' in South African service. The South African government paid 85 per cent of the development costs of the system with the balance being paid for by France. The system was in service with 120 Squadron SAAF from 1970 until the late 1980s without any successful combat shootdowns.[47]

The SAAF provided air support to the army during the 1975–76 Angola campaign, and in the many cross-border operations that were carried out against PLAN bases in Angola and Zambia from 1977 onwards.

During the bush war period, South Africa manufactured six air-deliverable tactical nuclear weapons of the "gun-type" design between 1978 and 1993. Each of the devices contained 55 kilograms of HEU with an estimated yield of 10–18 kilotons[48] designed for delivery by Blackburn Buccaneer or English Electric Canberra aircraft. See History of the South African Air Force#Nuclear and ballistic weapons.

At least two MIG-21s of the Angolan Air Force were shot down by 3 Squadron SAAF Mirage F1s in 1981 and 1982.[49]

From 1980 to 1984, the command structure was reorganised. Instead of units of the separate Strike Command, Transportation Command SAAF, and Maritime Air Command SAAF often being based at the same base but responsible to different chains of command, regional commands were established. Main Threat Air Command (MTAC) was made responsible for the northern half of the country, and Southern Air Command SAAF and Western Air Command SAAF for those areas. MTAC was co-located with the Air Force Command Post at Pretoria, with 20 subordinate squadrons (8 reserve). Southern Air Command at Silvermine was allocated nine squadrons (three reserve), based at AFS Port Elizabeth, Cape Town Airport, and AFB Ysterplaat, including 16 Squadron SAAF (Alouettes), 25 Squadron flying Dakotas from Ysterplaat, 27 Squadron SAAF (Piaggio 166), 35 Squadron SAAF (Avro Shackleton), and 88 Maritime Training School.[50] Western Air Command at Windhoek relied on aircraft temporarily detached from MTAC and SAC. Airspace Control Command, Training Command and Air Logistics Command remained largely unchanged.

 
SAAF Cheetah D fighter

The SAAF was also heavily involved in the 1987–88 Angola campaign, before the New York Accords that ended the conflict. The international arms embargo imposed against the then-apartheid government of South Africa, meant that the SAAF was unable to procure modern fighter aircraft to compete with the sophisticated Soviet-supplied air defence network and Cuban Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23s fielded in the latter part of this conflict. South Africa was able to secure the transfer of technology from Israel through the Israel–South Africa Agreement, thereby allowing the Cheetah derivative of the IAI Kfir to be produced.

From 1990 with the perceived reduction in threat, SAAF operational strength began to be reduced.[51] The first short term steps entailed the withdrawal of several obsolete aircraft types from service, such as the Canberra B(1)12, the Super Frelon and Westland Wasp helicopters, the Kudu light aircraft and the P-166s Albatross coastal patrol aircraft. Other initial measures included the downgrading of Air Force Base Port Elizabeth and the disbanding of 12, 16, 24, 25, and 27 Squadrons. Two Commando squadrons – 103 Squadron SAAF at AFB Bloemspruit and 114 Squadron SAAF at AFB Swartkop – were also disbanded.

Air Defence Artillery Group

 
The Hilda Missile System as it was used by the 250 Air Defence Artillery Group

The 250 Air Defence Artillery Group, also known as the 250 Air Defence Unit (ADU), was a group of air defence squadrons that operated under the control of the South African Air Force tasked with airbase defence. The group consisted of 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129 and 130 Squadrons and had its own active Citizen Force component. These squadrons were equipped with the Tigercat mobile surface-to-air missile system, The Cactus surface-to-air missile system, the ZU-23-2 23mm Anti-Aircraft Gun and the Bofors 40 mm gun.

120 Squadron mainly operated the Cactus missile system operationally in platoons from 1973 until the late 1980s with each platoon consisting of one Acquisition and Co-ordination Unit (ACU) and two or three firing units, with a battery having two platoons.[52] 121 Squadron, 123 Squadron and later 129 Squadron mainly operated the Tigercat mobile surface-to-air missile system. In South African service it was given the name "Hilda". 123 Squadron was deployed for Operation Savannah in 1975 to provide air defence for Air Force Base Grootfontein in South-West Africa. 129 Squadron was deployed to Air Force Base Ondangwa for the remainder of the Border War to provide air defence for the logistics base and airfield there, as it was an important staging area for the South African Defence Force for their operations in neighbouring Angola.[53][54]

The Air Defence Artillery Group was disbanded in 1992 after the Cactus missile system was retired, with only remnants of 120 Squadron, operating the upgraded Cactus Container system, becoming a part of Air Command Control Unit at Snake Valley opposite Air Force Base Swartkop on the eastern side of the shared runway. 120 Squadron was finally disbanded in 2002 after these systems were retired.[55]

Major operations

During the bush war, the SAAF lost a total of 22 aircraft [e] (1974–1989) to enemy action. A further 11 aircraft [f] were lost in the operational area due to pilot error or malfunction.[69]

Since 1994

 
Silver Falcons aerobatic team use Pilatus trainers

After the first South African multi-racial elections in 1994, the SAAF became part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The South African Air Force is currently considered to be the most effective air force in sub-Sahara Africa despite the loss of capability as a consequence of defence cuts after the end of the Border War.[70]

These financial cuts have brought about a number of severe operational limitations, compounded by the loss of experienced air-crews. This has placed strain on the bringing new types of aircraft into service, specifically the Gripen, Hawk, Rooivalk, A 109 and Lynx. The cancellation of the SAAF participation and procurement of the A400M in November 2009 has denied the SAAF the strategic airlift capability needed for domestic, regional and continent-wide transport operations. There is no clear indication as yet regarding how the heavy/long-range airlift gap will be addressed.[70]

Current air combat capabilities are limited to the Gripen multi-role fighter and the Rooivalk combat support helicopter although in insufficient number to allow regional deployments while maintaining national air security and current training commitments. To overcome this shortfall, the SAAF has designated the Hawk Mk 120 trainers for additional tactical reconnaissance and weapon delivery platforms for targets designated by the Gripens.[70] Financial constraints have further limited flying hours on the newly acquired aircraft; it was planned to keep Gripen pilots current flying the lower cost Hawk aircraft with "Gripenised" cockpits.[71] It was reported in 2013 that the Gripen fleet wasn't fully manned with some pilots redesignated as reserve pilots and others being assigned instructor roles at Air Force Base Makhado. The SAAF stated that the Gripen fleet is being rotated between short-term storage and active use by the regular active pilots to spread the limited flying hours among the whole fleet.[72] During this same period it was reported that 18 of the SAAF's AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters have been grounded due to an accident involving one of the helicopters several months prior and a lack of funds for regular maintenance, however in November 2013 after five months of not flying, the grounding of the helicopters was lifted after more funds became available.[73] Despite all its setbacks and financial woes, the South African Air Force continues to undertake and complete the tasks and obligations assigned to it. The SAAF still plays a vital role in national security operations, United Nations peacekeeping missions, and other foreign deployments. As of 2014 the Air force has several aircraft, aircrew and ground crew on foreign deployments. Three Rooivalk[74] attack helicopters from 16 Squadron SAAF and five or six 15, 17, 19 and/or 22 Squadron SAAF's Oryx transport helicopters were stationed in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Rooivalk and Oryx Helicopters are part of the South African contribution to the 3000-strong United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) and they have flown several sorties against rebel factions who are operating in North Kivu province, particularly the notorious M23 militia group who were routed from their strongholds after an offensive by the UN Force Intervention Brigade and the Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[75][76][77]

 
A pair of Hawk 120s conduct a security simulation over Swartkop in preparation for the 2010 World Cup

Several 28 Squadron SAAF C-130BZ Hercules aircraft also regularly flew to Sudan, DR Congo and Uganda, including Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, Goma, Beni, Bunia and Entebbe, as Entebbe is the logistic hub for MONUSCO in the eastern DR Congo. They mainly fly missions ranging from logistic support for SA National Defence Force continental peacekeeping and peace support operations, humanitarian operations, support to the South African Army, and general airlift.[78][79] A C-47TP Turbo Dakota from 35 Squadron SAAF permanently based in the Mozambican city of Pemba to provide maritime patrol capability for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) counter-piracy mission in the Mozambique Channel, Operation Copper. There is also a Super Lynx from 22 Squadron SAAF operating from the South African Navy frigates whenever they are stationed in the Mozambican channel. The air force also assists Operation Corona from "time to time" by deploying either AgustaWestland AW109 or Atlas Oryx helicopters to its borders.[80]

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup the South African National Defence Force was deployed in order to provide security for the event. The air force deployed armed Gripen Fighter aircraft and Hawk advanced trainer aircraft to conduct air patrols to monitor air traffic. Rooivalk, Atlas Oryx and AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters were also deployed during the event.[81]

It was also reported by the Afrikaans daily newspaper, Beeld, that on 23 March 2013 when the Séléka rebel group attempted to take power in the Central African Republic by invading the capital of Bangui, four armed Gripen Fighter aircraft from 2 Squadron SAAF were sent along with a C-130BZ transport aircraft (reportedly carrying a stock of bombs) in order to provide close air support to the 200-strong South African garrison who were still fighting in the city. The aircraft were, however, recalled shortly after, as the South Africans and the rebels agreed to a ceasefire and rather opted to withdraw peacefully from the country. Several flights made by C-130BZ aircraft evacuated the bodies of the 13 South African soldiers who were killed and the 27 who were wounded during the Séléka offensive and also the remainder of the deployed soldiers and their equipment after the ceasefire was declared. The deployment of the Gripen fighter aircraft indicated that if the situation called for it, the country will deploy its fighter aircraft in order to ensure the protection of its assets.[82]

The air force was also tasked with maintaining national security before and during the funeral procession of former president Nelson Mandela in December 2013. Several SAAF helicopters conducted patrols over Pretoria while the former president's body was lying in state in the days leading up to the funeral. Gripen fighter aircraft, armed with IRIS-T missiles and Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pods, conducted combat air patrols to enforce a no-fly zone for several days over certain areas in Gauteng province and later during the funeral itself over Qunu, in the Eastern Cape. Two Gripens were also tasked with escorting a C-130BZ aircraft, which was carrying President Mandela's body from Air Force Base Waterkloof to the Mthatha Airport. Five Gripens, three Oryx helicopters and the 6 Pilatus PC-7's of the Silver Falcons performed a flypast in a final salute to the late former president.[83]

 
SAAF C130 BZ Hercules of 28 Squadron

On 12 September 2014, a church hostel collapsed within the compound of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations in Lagos, Nigeria. More than 100 persons died in the collapse, among them 85 South Africans.[84] President Jacob Zuma ordered the South African Air Force to assist with the repatriation of survivors and victims, and the first 25 survivors were flown to South Africa in a specially adapted SAAF Hercules C-130 on 22 September 2014.[85] Due to a lack of airlift capacity, an Antonov aircraft from Maximus Aero was chartered in order to repatriate the bodies of 74 victims, which arrived on 15 November 2014.[86] The last 11 bodies were finally repatriated using an SAAF C-130 on 6 February 2015. The delay in repatriating the last bodies was due to authorities having to wait for DNA test results in order to positively identify the remaining victims.[84]

In spite of its budget concerns, the air force still continues to participate in and support annual air and defence shows and capability demonstrations such as the Rand show, the Zwartkops airshow and the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo.[87][88]

In 2002 Musa Mbhokota became the SAAF's first black jet fighter pilot.[89] In March 2017 Nandi Zama became for first black woman in SAAF history to command and fly a Hercules C-130 cargo plane.[90]

As of 2021, Department of Defence officials informed Parliament that a reduced availability of aircraft was negatively affecting hours flown. Helicopter systems were said to have "a critical spares shortage" with similar problems also confronting the transport and combat aircraft and systems. The parliamentary Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) committee was told that "Constrained funding is also affecting the ability to provide enough serviceable aircraft, although serious efforts are being made to ensure availability is increased within the reduced budget". During the first quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, the air force flew 3,560.8 hours, including 2,717 Force Preparation hours, 636.7 Force Employment hours; and 207.1 VIP flying hours.[91] As of late 2021, all the Air Force's Gripen fighter aircraft were grounded. However, in 2022 the Air Force concluded a deal with Saab to return 13 of the aircraft to service over a three-year period.[92][93]

Symbols

Ensign

Ensigns of the South African Air Force
  •  

    1920–1940

  •  

    1940–1951

  •  

    1951–1958

  •  

    1958–1967

  •  

    1967–1970

  •  

    1970–1981

  •  

    1981–1982

  •  

    1982–1994

  •  

    1994–2003

  •  

    2003–present

Roundels

Roundels of the South African Air Force
  •  

    1920
    (experimental)

  •  

    1920
    (experimental)

  •  

    1920–1927

  •  

    1927–1947

  •  

    1947–1958

  •  

    1958–1993

  •  

    1993–2003

  •  

    2003–present

  •  

    2003–present
    (low visibility)

Rank insignia

Main article: South African military ranks

In 2002 the Air Force rank insignia were changed from one which was shared with the Army to a new pattern based on stripes. The Air Force stated that this was "in order to bring it more in line with international forms of rank".[94] The General ranks initially had a thick stripe (thicker than the Senior Officer rank stripe) with thin stripes above, but this was changed shortly after implementation to the crossed sword and baton insignia typical of Commonwealth Generals. The reason for the change so soon after implementation of the new insignia was presumed to be confusion in differentiating between Generals and Senior Officers.

Officers
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
  South African Air Force[95]
                      
General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer candidate
Warrant officers

Note: The Rank of Master Chief Warrant Officer is only used when the Sergeant Major of the Air Force is also the Sergeant Major of the Defence Force.

Equivalent NATO rank WO-5 WO-4 WO-3 WO-2 WO-1
  South African Air Force
          
Master chief warrant officer Senior chief warrant officer Chief warrant officer Master warrant officer Senior warrant officer
Other ranks

SAAF medals and decorations

Main article: South African military decorations

A new set of emblems, medals and decorations were introduced on 29 April 2003,[96] although medals issued by the SADF can still be worn.

Unit emblems

Air force bases

 

Flying squadrons

 
South African Air Force Flying Squadrons

Reserve squadrons

 
South African Air Force Reserve Squadrons

Other flying units

 
South African Air Force Other Flying Units

Security squadrons

 
South African Air Force Security Squadrons

Engineering support units

 
South African Air Force Engineering Units

Air defence artillery units

 
250 Air Defence Artillery Group Structure

Command and control units

 
South African Air Force Command and Control Units

The various Forward Air Command Posts and Air Operations Teams were closed on 31 December 2003 and integrated in the new Joint Regional Task Groups under command of Chief of Joint Operations.

Training units

 
South African Air Force Training Units

Support units

 
South African Air Force Support Units ver 3

Order of battle, bases squadrons and equipment

Bases

 
 
Durban (FADN)
 
Bloemspruit (FABL)
 
Hoedspruit (FAHS)
 
Langebaanweg (FALW)
 
Makhado (FALM)
 
Overberg (FAOB)
 
Swartkop (FASK)
 
Waterkloof (FAWK)
 
Ysterplaat (FAYP)
 
Port Elizabeth (FAPE)
class=notpageimage|
Map of South African Air Force bases and stations (Click on base icon for link to details)[97]

Squadrons

Main article: List of squadrons of the South African Air Force

Aircraft

Current inventory

 
A SAAF Gripen a 4th Generation multirole combat aircraft
 
A SAAF C-130 Hercules
 
The Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter
 
A Boeing 737 at Johannesburg International
Aircraft Origin Type Variant Inventory Notes
Combat Aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen Sweden multirole JAS 39C
JAS 39D 		17
9[100]		 13 to be brought back into service[93]
Electronic Warfare
Cessna 208 United States radar jamming 1[101]
Douglas DC-3 United States electronic warfare BSAS C-47-65ARTP 1[101] modified with P&W PT6A Turboprop engines.
Transport
Boeing 737 United States VIP BBJ 1[102]
Citation II United States VIP 2[102]
Dassault Falcon 50 France VIP 2[102]
Dassault Falcon 900 France VIP 1[102]
Cessna 208 United States utility / transport 7[101]
CASA C-212 Spain transport / utility 2[101]
Pilatus PC-12 Switzerland transport / utility PC-12NG 1[101]
Super King Air United States utility transport 200/300 4[101]
Douglas DC-3 United States transport 65ARTP 6[101] three aircraft provide maritime patrol
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130BZ 6[103]
Helicopter
Atlas Oryx South Africa utility / transport 44[101] Derivative of the SA330 Puma.

[104]

Denel Rooivalk South Africa attack 12[101]
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 Germany / Japan utility 6[101]
AgustaWestland AW109 Italy light utility 25[101]
Westland Super Lynx United Kingdom Maritime helicopter Mk.300 4
Trainer aircraft
BAE Hawk United Kingdom advanced trainer 120 23[101]
Pilatus PC-7 Switzerland trainer Mk II 56[101]

Retired

Previous notable aircraft operated by the SAAF include Atlas Cheetah, Mirage F1, Mirage III, C-130F Hercules.

Retired aircraft see: List of aircraft of the South African Air Force.

Weapon systems

Main article: List of weapon systems of the South African Air Force

For weapon system no longer in use, see List of obsolete weapon systems of the South African Air Force.

Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing

Main article: South African Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing

The Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AFMDW) provides combat ready, integrated and deployable air support capabilities to the South African National Defence Force. The AFMDW consists of 18 Deployment Support Unit, Mobile Communications Unit, 140 Squadron and 142 Squadron, 500 Squadron and 501 Squadron.

Reserves

The Air Force Conventional Reserves are a pool of reserve posts created to serve the SAAF and augment regular units as and when needed. All trades in the SAAF are represented in the reserves, e.g. pilots, security squadron personnel etc. The Air Force Territorial Reserve currently consists of nine squadrons of privately owned aircraft operated by reserve pilots on behalf of the SAAF who assist in light transport and observation roles.[105]

Other establishments and units

 
The South African Air Force Memorial

Air Force Memorial

Main article: South African Air Force Memorial

The South African Air Force Memorial is a memorial to South African Air Force members who have died whilst in service of the South African Air Corps and the South African Air Force from 1915 to the present. The memorial is located at Swartkop outside Pretoria.

Air Force Museum

Main article: South African Air Force Museum

The South African Air Force Museum houses, exhibits and restores material related to the history of the South African Air Force. It is spread across three locations; AFB Swartkop outside Pretoria, AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town and at the Port Elizabeth airport. Swartkop is the largest of the three museum locations, occupying at least five hangars and contains a number of Atlas Cheetahs as well as a Cheetah C flight simulator.

Silver Falcons

Main article: Silver Falcons

The Silver Falcons are the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force and are based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town. The Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra, the basic trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5-ship routine. The main purpose is to enhance the image of the South African Air Force, encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display.

Radar coverage

The South African Air Force operates several radar systems within the country's borders and can deploy radar systems internationally to support external South African operations such as during UN peacekeeping operations. The Air Force's radar equipment is also supplemented by radar equipment and data from the other branches of the South African National Defence Force, the South African Weather Service and several civilian airport radars who cooperate with the Air Force to monitor air traffic.

Each air force base is equipped with air field radar approach systems (AFRAS) that monitors air traffic within the airfield's operational sector 24 hours per day. These systems include primary approach radars, precision approach radars, and secondary surveillance radar and display systems. These systems have a range of more than 120 km. The AFRAS are maintained by Saab Grintek as well as Tellumat.[106] Air Force Base Overberg in the Western Cape is also equipped with a Doppler tracking radar and is used primarily by the Test Flight and Development Centre SAAF and the Denel Overberg Test Range for aircraft and missile development tests.[107] In the Western Cape there is a radar station at Kapteinskop, jointly used by Air Force Base Langebaanweg and Cape Town International Airport to monitor air traffic.[108] Air Force Base Makhado has another radar station located in the mountains to the north of the main base complex apart from its AFRAS radar (located in the main base itself).[109]

The Air Force maintains six Umlindi (Zulu: "Watchman") AR3D long-range early warning radar systems (British AR3D radar systems extensively upgraded by the South African company, Tellumat) which are operated by 140 Squadron SAAF as part of the South African Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing.[110] There are two static radar stations located in Lephalale (Ellisras) and Mariepskop, near Air Force Base Hoedspruit. The other systems are mobile and can be deployed to any part of the country to support operations with the use of 20-ton 8x8 MAN trucks. Each of these systems has a range of 500 km but can only track aircraft flying above 700 metres. The static radars are usually linked to two Air Force sector control centres (SCC), the Lowveld Airspace Control Sector and the Bushveld Airspace Control Sector, while the mobile radar have their own mobile sector control centres (MSCC).[111]

To mitigate this lack of low-level radar coverage, the Air Force also operates four Plessey Tactical Mobile Radar (TMR) systems (in service with 142 Squadron SAAF). These systems can cover altitudes below 700 metres, but they have a shorter range than the Umlindi systems, at 150 km. The deployment of these systems require the use of a MAN 8×8 truck (one per system), one or two light vehicles for command and control purposes, a water tanker, a diesel bowser and a technical workshop vehicle. These systems can operate 24 hours a day with less than 20 personnel (including personnel from other AFMDW units like the Mobile Communications Unit and 501 Squadron).[111]

The South African Air Force's Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft are also equipped with PS-05/A pulse-doppler X-band multi-mode radar, developed by Ericsson and GEC-Marconi. This all-weather radar system is capable of locating and identifying air targets 120 km away and surface targets 70 km away. It is also able to automatically track multiple targets in the upper and lower spheres, on the ground and sea or in the air. It can guide several beyond visual range air-to-air missiles to multiple targets simultaneously (although the Air Force still lacks modern beyond visual range missile capability).[112][113] When deployed operationally on combat missions and air patrols the aircraft can link their systems to the South African National Defence Force's digital network protocol, Link-ZA, to share data with other radar systems to help create a wider picture as to the situation in the air and on the ground in order to rapidly adapt to a change in short term situations.[114]

Other branches of the South African National Defence Force also operate several radar systems that can assist the South African Air Force. The South African Navy uses four Valour-class frigates, each of which is equipped with the Thales Naval France MRR-3D NG G-band multi-role surveillance/self-defence radar that can detect low and medium-level targets at ranges of up to 140 km and in long-range 3D air surveillance mode targets up to 180 km. In the self-defence mode, it can detect and track any threat within a radius of 60 km. These Frigates can link their data systems to the Link-ZA system to help create a broader picture for the armed forces.[115] The South African Army also operates several Reutech Radar Systems (RRS) ESR220 Thutlhwa (Kameelperd/Giraffe) Mobile Battery Fire Control Post Systems. These NATO D-Band radars have a range of 120 km and can also be linked to Link-ZA to assist air force operations.[116]

Civilian airport radars in all nine provinces as well as the network of South African Weather Service radars can also share their radar data with the South African Air Force. According to the South African Weather Service, the South African Air Force has access to raw data from their ten long range fixed system Doppler (S-Band) and two short range mobile (X-Band) meteorological radars, and the interpreted information can be used for aviation and defence purposes.[117][118]

Training Areas

Ditholo Training Area

Situated 66 km north of Pretoria, Ditholo Training Area used to house Air Defence Artillery Group until 1992. The 3300 hectare property is used primarily for gravel runway training, radar tracking, and aerial cargo drop exercises such as LAPES. Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) is a tactical military airlift delivery method where a fixed wing cargo aircraft can deposit supplies when landing is not an option in an area that is too small to accurately parachute supplies from a high altitude.

Other training include: Search and rescue exercises, basic training, VIP protection, candidate officer training, task force training and escape and evasion training.

Due to its unique ecology, Ditholo is also a registered nature reserve, being one of the few remaining portions of Kalahari plains thornveld in existence. As of 2013, Ditholo is run jointly with the Gauteng Provincial Government as part of the Dinokeng Biosphere Reserve. As of 24 May 2014 it houses more than 340 species of birds and large mammal species such as giraffe, lion, zebra, tsessebe, blue wildebeest, kudu and waterbuck.[119][120]

The Roodewal Weapons Range

Situated in the Limpopo Province, roughly halfway between Polokwane (previously Pietersburg) and AFB Makhado, near the town of Louis Trichardt. This property is used for air superiority training. Buffering the range is the Corbadraai Nature Reserve.[121][122]

Temporary Air Base Upington

Activated only for large scale exercises in the Northern Cape.

Dragons Peak Drakensberg

In 1985 a satellite base at Dragons Peak, in the Drakensberg was established in order to conduct helicopter mountain flying training.

Vastrap

Vastrap (Afrikaans: "stand firm") is a small military airfield situated in the Kalahari Desert north east of Upington inside a 700 square kilometre weapons test range of the same name[1] belonging to the South African National Defence Force. It was constructed to allow the SAAF to practice tactical bombing operations, and for aircraft to service the ARMSCOR's defunct underground nuclear weapon test site.

Environmental Management

 
SAAF environmental services

The SAAF's training areas and bases are home to many species of fauna and flora as well as, in some instances, buildings and other structures of historical and cultural value. The Environmental Services sub-department in the SANDF Logistics Division has the overall task of ensuring proper environmental practices are in place not only on training grounds but also at bases.[123][124][125]

The following specific management is practiced:

  • Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) aims to enhance long term, effective training by implementing management practices for land and aerial ranges to ensure their continued use and minimised environmental damage.
  • Base Environmental Management (BEM) system proper management of buildings, responsible water and energy use, integrated waste management as well as ensuring cultural and historical resources are properly maintained.
  • Environment for Operations (ECOps) aims to ensure adverse effects of military activities on the general environment are avoided or mitigated throughout any specific operations.

Notes

  1. ^ Alexandersfontein is at 28°48′36″S 24°48′07″E / 28.8101°S 24.802°E / -28.8101; 24.802 (Alexandersdfontein)
  2. ^ 30x Avro 504K's; 22x Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a's; 49x De Havilland DH.9's (one of which was donated by the City of Birmingham); 10x De Havilland DH.4's (donated by the Overseas Club of London); 2x Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e's (donated by Maj. Miller Tour)[14]
  3. ^ SAAF elements in the Western Desert Air Force as at 26 May 1942: (A.) Assigned to air HQ: (A.1.) 15 Sqn: Fighter/Recon (Amiriya with one detachment at Kufra), Blenheim IVF. (A.2.) 40 Sqn: Recon (El Adem), Hurricane I / Tomahawk. (A.3.) 60 Sqn: Recon (Sidi Barrani) Marylands. (B.) No. 3 Wing SAAF (Baheira): (B.1.) 12 Sqn: Light Bomber (Baheira), Boston III's; (B.2.) 24 Sqn: Light Bomber (Baheira), Baltimore I; (B.3.) No. 223 RAF Light Bomber (Baheira) Baltimore I. (C.) No. 223 Wing RAF (Gambut). (C.1.) 4 Sqn: Fighter (Gambut), Tomahawks. (C.2.) 5 Sqn: Fighter (Gambut), Tomahawks. (C.3.) 2 Sqn: Fighter (Gambut), Kittyhawk I.[25]
  4. ^ These three Maritime Reconnaissance Flights were later combined to form 16 Squadron: 32 Flight consisting of 5 Glenn Martin Maryland Bombers (Maj D Meaker, Officer Commanding); 36 Flight with 6 Bristol Beaufort Bombers (Maj J Clayton, Officer Commanding); 37 Flight with 1 Maryland and 5 Beauforts (Maj K Jones, Officer Commanding)[32]
  5. ^ 1x Mirage F1AZ, 1x Mirage III R2Z, 1x Canberra, 5x Impala Mk. II, 1x Bosbok, 1x Cessna-185, 4x Puma, 5x Alouette, 3x RPV.[69]
  6. ^ 3x Impala, 1x Mirage F1AZ, 2x Puma, 1x Kudu, 3x Alouette, 1x Cessna-185.[69]
  7. ^ Ab initio training is outsourced to a civilian school, Babcock Central Flying Academy of Grand Central Airport using Cessna 172s.[98] The training is done at AFB Swartkop[99]
  8. ^ As well as others on temporary detachment from squadrons and manufacturers.

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Bibliography

  • Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Annals of the Gauntlet". Air Enthusiast Quarterly, No. 2, n.d., pp. 163–176. ISSN 0143-5450
  • Spring, Ivan. "Springbok Jet Age: The Gloster Meteor III in SAAF service". Air Enthusiast, No. 55, Autumn 1994, pp. 8–12. ISSN 0143-5450

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to South African Air Force.
  • Official South African Air Force website (website currently inactive)
  • Unofficial South African Air Force website

January 17, 2023
south, african, force, saaf, warfare, branch, south, african, national, defence, force, with, headquarters, pretoria, established, february, 1920, force, service, world, korean, from, 1966, saaf, involved, providing, infantry, support, intensity, border, angol. The South African Air Force SAAF is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force with its headquarters in Pretoria The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920 The Air Force saw service in World War II and the Korean War From 1966 the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in the low intensity Border War in Angola South West Africa and Rhodesia As the war progressed the intensity of air operations increased until in the late 1980s when the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority On conclusion of the Border War in 1990 aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states South African Air ForceEmblem of the South African Air ForceFounded1 February 1920 102 years ago 1920 02 01 Country South AfricaTypeAir forceRoleAerial warfare Aerial defence Air supremacySize10 815 active personnel 831 reserve personnel 229 aircraftPart ofSouth African National Defence ForceGarrison HQPretoriaMotto s Latin Per aspera ad astra Through hardships to the stars 1 EngagementsWorld War I World War II East African Campaign North African Campaign Madagascar Italy Balkans Korean War South African Border War Angolan Bush WarCommandersCommander in ChiefPresident Cyril RamaphosaChief of the Air ForceLieutenant general Wiseman S Mbambo 2 Sergeant Major of the Air ForceColin Stanton JonesInsigniaRoundelFin flashEnsignAircraft flownAttackBAE HawkElectronicwarfareOryx EW C 47TP ELINTFighterJAS 39 GripenAttack helicopterRooivalkMultirole helicopterAtlas Oryx Lynx 300Trainer helicopterAgusta A109Utility helicopterAgusta A109PatrolC 47TPTrainerPilatus PC 7 BAE HawkTransportC 130 CASA C 212 Cessna Caravan Contents 1 History 1 1 First World War 1 2 Founding and the inter war period 1 3 Second World War 1 3 1 East Africa 1 3 2 Western Desert and North Africa 1 3 3 Madagascar 1 3 4 Sicilian and Italian campaigns 1 3 5 Other theatres 1 3 6 Mobile Air Force Depot 1 4 Berlin airlift 1 5 Korean War 1 6 Rhodesian Bush War 1 7 Border War 1 7 1 Air Defence Artillery Group 1 7 2 Major operations 1 8 Since 1994 2 Symbols 2 1 Ensign 2 2 Roundels 2 3 Rank insignia 2 4 SAAF medals and decorations 2 5 Unit emblems 2 5 1 Air force bases 2 5 2 Flying squadrons 2 5 3 Reserve squadrons 2 5 4 Other flying units 2 5 5 Security squadrons 2 5 6 Engineering support units 2 5 7 Air defence artillery units 2 5 8 Command and control units 2 5 9 Training units 2 5 10 Support units 3 Order of battle bases squadrons and equipment 3 1 Bases 3 2 Squadrons 4 Aircraft 4 1 Current inventory 4 2 Retired 4 3 Weapon systems 4 4 Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing 4 5 Reserves 5 Other establishments and units 5 1 Air Force Memorial 5 2 Air Force Museum 5 3 Silver Falcons 5 4 Radar coverage 6 Training Areas 6 1 Ditholo Training Area 6 2 The Roodewal Weapons Range 6 3 Temporary Air Base Upington 6 4 Dragons Peak Drakensberg 6 5 Vastrap 6 6 Environmental Management 7 Notes 8 References 9 Bibliography 10 External linksHistory EditMain article History of the South African Air Force First World War Edit After a visit to observe the 1912 military manoeuvres in Europe Brig Gen C F Beyers who was then Commandant General of the Defence Force gave an extremely positive report on the future use of aircraft for military purposes to General Smuts Smuts initiated an arrangement with private fliers in the Cape and established a flying school 3 at Alexandersfontein a near Kimberley known as the Paterson Aviation Syndicate School to train pilots for the proposed South African Aviation Corps 4 Flying training commenced in 1913 with students who excelled on the course being sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon in Great Britain for further training The first South African military pilot qualified on 2 June 1914 5 On the outbreak of the First World War the Union Defence Force had realised the urgent need for air support which brought about the establishment of the South African Aviation Corps SAAC on 29 January 1915 5 Aircraft were purchased from France Henri Farman F 27 while the building of an airfield at Walvis Bay commenced in earnest in order to support operations against German forces in German South West Africa 6 By June 1915 the SAAC was deployed to its first operational airfield at Karibib in German South West Africa in support of Gen Botha s South African ground forces The SAAC flew reconnaissance and leaflet dropping missions from Karibib and later from Omaruru where improvised bombing missions were added when pilots started dropping hand grenades and rudimentary bombs by hand 7 On 9 July 1915 the German forces capitulated and most of the pilots and aircraft of the SAAC were sent to Britain in support of the Imperial war effort Although the SAAC remained active its activities were limited to ground training at the Cape Town Drill Hall while the pilots who had been detached to the Royal Flying Corps RFC were grouped to form No 26 Squadron RFC and later becoming an independent squadron on 8 October 1915 No 26 Squadron was equipped with Henri Farman F 27 s and B E 2c s and was shipped to Kenya in support of the war effort in German East Africa landing in Mombasa on 31 January 1916 8 The squadron flew reconnaissance and observer missions throughout the campaign until February 1918 9 when the squadron returned to the UK via Cape Town and arrived at Blandford Camp on 8 July 1918 and was disbanded the same day 10 While the SAAC were engaged in German South West Africa and 26 Sqdn RFC in East Africa many South Africans traveled to the United Kingdom to enlist with the Royal Flying Corps 11 The number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3 000 men and suffered 260 active duty fatalities over the Somme during the war Forty six pilots became fighter aces 12 13 Founding and the inter war period Edit de Havilland Airco DH 9 49 of these aircraft were donated to South Africa as part of the Imperial Gift On conclusion of the First World War the British Government donated surplus aircraft plus spares and sufficient equipment to provide the nucleus of a fledgling air force to each of its Dominions As part of this donation which was to become known as the Imperial Gift 14 South Africa received a total of 113 aircraft from both the British Government 100 aircraft as well as from other sources 13 aircraft 14 b On 1 February 1920 Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld was appointed as the Director Air Service with the task of forming an air force the date is used to mark the founding of the South African Air Force In December 1920 the South African National insignia was added to aircraft for the first time An Orange Green Red and Blue roundel was added to an Avro 504K for trial purposes but the colours were found to be unsuitable and were replaced with a Green Red Lemon Yellow and Blue roundel in December 1921 These colours remained until 1927 when they were replaced with the Orange White and Blue roundels 15 The first operational deployment of the newly formed Air Force was to quell internal dissent when in 1922 a miner s strike on the Johannesburg gold mines turned violent and led to the declaration of martial law 1 Squadron was called to fly reconnaissance missions and to bombard the strikers positions Sorties in support of the police amounted to 127 flight hours between 10 and 15 March and this inauspicious start for the SAAF led to two pilot losses two wounded and two aircraft lost to ground fire 16 The SAAF was again deployed to suppress the Bondelzwart Rebellion at Kalkfontein between 29 May and 3 July 1922 17 Second World War Edit A Hawker Hart one of the earliest bombers for South AfricaAt the outbreak of the Second World War South Africa had no naval vessels and the UDF s first priority was to ensure the safety of the South African coastal waters as well as the strategically important Cape sea route For maritime patrol operations the SAAF took over all 29 passenger aircraft of South African Airways 18 Junkers Ju 86Z ls for maritime patrols and eleven Junkers Ju 52s for transport purposes 18 SAAF maritime patrols commenced on 21 September 1939 with 16 Squadron flying three JU 86Z s from Walvis Bay 19 had been established eventually consisting of 6 10 22 23 25 27 and 29 Squadrons 20 By the end of the Second World War in August 1945 SAAF aircraft in conjunction with British and Dutch aircraft stationed in South Africa had intercepted 17 enemy ships assisted in the rescue of 437 survivors of sunken ships attacked 26 of the 36 enemy submarines that operated around the South African coast and flown 15 000 coastal patrol sorties 18 East Africa Edit In December 1939 The Duke of Aosta had sent a report to Mussolini recording the state of chronic unpreparedness of the Allied Forces in East Africa The collapse of France in 1940 had prompted Mussolini to join the war on the side of the Axis and as a result air force elements were moved to forward positions in occupied Ethiopia to mount air attacks on Allied forces before they could be re inforced 21 These deployments prompted Allied action and on 13 May 1940 1 Squadron pilots were sent to Cairo to take delivery of 18 Gloster Gladiators and to fly them south to Kenya for operations in East Africa 11 Squadron equipped with Hawker Hartebeests followed to Nairobi on 19 May 1940 and were joined by the Junkers Ju 86s of 12 Squadron on 22 May 1940 21 The Kingdom of Italy declared war on 10 June 1940 and on the following day the Ju 86s of 12 Squadron led the first air attack by the SAAF in the Second World War 21 During the campaign numerous SAAF aircraft were involved in air combat with the Italian Regia Aeronautica and provided air support to South African and Allied forces in the ground war By December 1940 ten SAAF squadrons plus 34 Flight with a total of 94 aircraft were operational in East Africa 1 Squadron 2 Squadron 3 Squadron 11 Squadron 12 Squadron 14 Squadron 40 Squadron 41 Squadron 50 Squadron and 60 Squadron 22 During this campaign the SAAF formed a Close Support Flight of four Gladiators and four Hartebeests with an autonomous air force commander operating with the land forces This was the precursor of the Desert Air Force Tactical Air Force cab rank technique which were used extensively for close air support during 1943 1945 23 The last air combat took place on 29 October and the Italian forces surrendered on 27 November 1941 A reduced SAAF presence was maintained in East Africa for coastal patrols until May 1943 24 Western Desert and North Africa Edit Lt Robin Pare left squadron commander Major John Jack Frost centre who was the highest scoring ace in the SAAF during the Second World War and Capt Andrew Duncan right of 5 Squadron SAAF March April 1942 SAAF fighter bomber and reconnaissance squadrons played a key role in the Western Desert and North African campaigns from 1941 to 1943 16 One memorable feat was the Boston bombers of 12 and 24 Squadrons dropping hundreds of tons of bombs on Axis forces pushing the Eighth Army back towards Egypt during the Gazala Gallop in mid 1942 16 SAAF bombers continually harassed retreating forces towards the Tunisian border after the Second Battle of El Alamein the South African fighters of No 223 Wing RAF helped the Desert Air Force gain air superiority over Axis air forces 16 Between April 1941 and May 1943 the eleven SAAF squadrons c flew 33 991 sorties and destroyed 342 enemy aircraft 16 Supermarine Spitfire pilots of 40 Squadron South African Air Force at Gabes in Tunisia April 1943 Conditions were however not ideal and pilots and crew were required to operate under critical conditions at times Pilots were frequently sent home to the Union after gaining experience and did not return for many months after which conditions in the desert had changed significantly and they were required to regain experience on different aircraft different tactics and operations from different bases There were cases where experienced fighter pilots were sent back to the Western Desert as bomber pilots for their second tour compounding the lack of continuity and experience 26 The South Africans did however command the respect of their German adversaries 27 The South Africans had the distinction of dropping the first and last bombs in the African conflict the first being on 11 June 1940 on Moyale in Ethiopia and the last being on the Italian 1st Army in Tunisia 28 The SAAF also produced a number of SAAF Second World War air aces in the process including John Frost and Marmaduke Pattle 29 Madagascar Edit In fear of Japanese occupation and subsequent operations in the Indian Ocean in close proximity to South African sea lanes Field Marshal Smuts encouraged the preemptive Allied occupation of the island of Madagascar 30 After much debate and further encouragement by General de Gaulle who was urging for a Free French operation against Madagascar Churchill and the Chiefs of Staff agreed to an invasion by means of a strong fleet and adequate air support 31 In March and April 1942 the SAAF had been conducting reconnaissance flights over Diego Suarez and 32 36 and 37 Coastal Flights d were withdrawn from South African maritime patrol operations and sent to Lindi on the Indian Ocean coast of Tanzania with an additional eleven Bristol Beauforts and six Martin Marylands to provide ongoing reconnaissance and close air support for the planned operation to be known as Operation Ironclad 33 During the amphibious air assault carried out by the Royal Navy and Air Force on 5 May the Vichy French Air Force consisting mainly of Morane fighters and Potez bombers had attacked the Allied fleet but had been neutralised by the Fleet Air Arm aircraft from the two aircraft carriers Those remaining aircraft not destroyed were withdrawn by the French and flown south to other airfields on the island 32 Once the main airfield at Arrachart aerodrome in Diego Suarez had been secured 13 May 1942 the SAAF Air Component flew from Lindi to Arrachart The air component consisted of thirty four aircraft 6 Marylands 11 Beaufort Bombers 12 Lockheed Lodestars and 6 Ju 52 s transports 32 By September 1942 the South African ground forces committed to Ironclad had been party to the capturing the southern half of Madagascar as well as the small island of Nossi Be with the SAAF air component supporting these operations During the campaign which ended with an armistice on 4 November 1942 SAAF aircraft flew a total of 401 sorties with one pilot killed in action one killed in an accident and one succumbing to disease Seven aircraft were lost only one as a result of enemy action 34 A Bristol Beaufighter in Italy August 1944 Sicilian and Italian campaigns Edit By the end of May 1943 the SAAF had two Wings and sixteen squadrons in the Middle East and North Africa with 8 000 men With the end of the North African campaign the SAAF role underwent change becoming more active in fighter bomber bomber and PR operations as opposed to the fighter role performed in the desert 35 Five SAAF squadrons were designated to support the July 1943 invasion of Sicily 1 Squadron operated combat air patrols over the beaches for the Operation Husky landings 35 while 2 36 4 37 and 5 38 Squadrons provided fighter bomber support during the Sicilian campaign 30 Squadron flying as No 223 Squadron RAF during the campaign provided light bomber support from Malta 39 and 60 Squadron was responsible for photo reconnaissance flights in support of all Allied forces on the island 40 After successfully invading the island a further three squadrons were moved to Sicily and the eight squadrons on the island were tasked with supporting the invasion of Italy 12 and 24 Squadrons were responsible for medium bomber missions to soften up the enemy prior to the invasion while 40 Sqn was responsible for tactical photo reconnaissance 1 Squadron provided fighter cover for the 3 September 1943 landings while 2 and 4 Squadrons were responsible for bomber escort 35 Supermarine Spitfire Mark VCs of 2 Squadron SAAF based at Palata Italy The South African Air Force participated in the Allied campaigns in the following theaters Italy 1943 45 2 3 7 and 8 Wings fought in operations to liberate Italy from German occupation Yugoslavia 1943 44 7 Wing and 8 Wing supported partisan operations against German occupation forces Balkans 1944 45 Some squadrons served with the Balkan Air Force in operations over Hungary Romania and Albania Warsaw 1944 2 Wing air supplied Warsaw during Warsaw Uprising Greece 1944 2 Wing supported British operations to liberate Greece and suppress the communist coup Other theatres Edit On 6 September 1944 16th SAAF Squadron bombed among other places Zenica bridge Pehare during Balkans campaign led from Italy Atlantic 1943 45 Two squadrons patrolled convoy routes off West Africa and Gibraltar 26 Squadron SAAF Vickers Wellington XI s Takoradi Gold Coast West Africa France 1944 A detachment took part in the Franco American invasion of southern France Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Serbia Slovenia etc 1944 45 16th South African Air Force Squadron stationed in Italy made dozens of air strikes against German forces and collaborators in then Croatia Serbia Slovenia Bosnia and Herzegovina etc during 1944 and 1945 On 6 September 1944 the 16th Squadron bombed Zenica focusing on bridges Further information List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in South Africa Mobile Air Force Depot Edit The Mobile Air Force Depot MAFD was based in Pretoria Its role during the Second World War was as a location where Air Crew could be stationed on stand by prior to being posted to a more active squadron Berlin airlift Edit Post war the SAAF also took part in the Berlin airlift of 1948 with 20 aircrews flying Royal Air Force Dakotas 4 133 tons of supplies were carried in 1 240 missions flown 41 Korean War Edit 2 Squadron F51 Mustangs in Korea At the outbreak of the Korean War the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of North Korean forces in South Korea A request was also made to all UN members for assistance After a special Cabinet meeting on 20 July 1950 the Union Government announced that due to the long distance between South Africa and Korea direct ground based military participation in the conflict was impractical and unrealistic but that a SAAF fighter squadron would be made available to the UN effort The 50 officers and 157 other ranks of 2 Sqn 42 SAAF sailed from Durban on 26 September 1950 they had been selected from 1 426 members of the Permanent Force who had initially volunteered for service This initial contingent was commanded by Cmdt S van Breda Theron DSO DFC AFC and included many World War II SAAF veterans 43 The squadron was moved to Johnson Air Base near Tokyo on 25 September 1950 for conversion training on the F 51D Mustangs supplied by the US Air Force 44 On completion of conversion training the squadron was deployed as one of the four USAF 18th Fighter Bomber Wing squadrons 44 and on 16 November 1950 an advance detachment consisting of 13 officers and 21 other ranks including the Squadron Commander and his four Flight Commanders who made the crossing in their own F 51D Mustangs left Japan for Pusan East K 9 Air Base within the Pusan Perimeter in Korea to fly with the USAF pilots in order to familiarise themselves with the local operational conditions 43 On the morning of 19 November 1950 Cmdt Theron and Capt G B Lipawsky took off with two USAF pilots to fly the first SAAF combat sorties of the Korean War from K 9 and K 24 airfields at Pyongyang 43 SAAF C47 Turbo prop DakotaOn 30 November the squadron was moved further south to K 13 airfield due to North Korean and Chinese advances It was again moved even further south after the UN forces lost additional ground to the North Koreans to K 10 airfield situated on the coast close to the town of Chinhae This was to be the squadron s permanent base for the duration of their first Korean deployment During this period while equipped with F 51D Mustangs the squadron flew 10 373 sorties and lost 74 aircraft out of the total 95 allocated Twelve pilots were killed in action 30 missing and four wounded 44 In January 1953 the squadron returned to Japan for conversion to the USAF F 86F Sabre fighter bombers The first Sabre mission was flown on 16 March 1953 from the K 55 airfield in South Korea being the first SAAF jet mission flown 2 squadron was led by ace pilot Major Jean de Wet from AFB Langebaanweg The squadron was tasked with fighter sweeps along the Yalu and Chong Chong rivers as well as close air support attack missions The squadron flew 2 032 sorties in the Sabres losing four out of the 22 aircraft supplied 44 SAAF Harvard trainerThe war ended on 27 July 1953 when the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed During the first phase of the war the main task of the squadron Mustangs was the interdiction of enemy supply routes which not only accounted for approximately 61 45 of SAAF combat sorties but which reached an early peak from January to May 1951 78 and 82 A typical interdiction mission was an armed reconnaissance patrol usually undertaken by flights of two or four aircraft armed with two napalm bombs 127 mm rockets and 12 7 mm machine guns 43 Later after the introduction of the Sabres the squadron was also called on to provide counter air missions flying as fighter sweeps and interceptions against MiG 15 s but interdiction and close air support remained the primary mission 43 Losses were 34 SAAF pilots killed eight taken prisoner including the future Chief of the Air Force General D Earp with 74 Mustangs and 4 Sabres lost 44 Pilots and men of the squadron received a total of 797 medals including 2 Silver Stars the highest US military award given to foreigners 3 Legions of Merit 55 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 40 Bronze Stars 45 In recognition of their association with 2 Squadron the OC of 18th Fighter Bomber Wing issued a policy directive that all retreat ceremonies shall be preceded by the introductory bars of the South African national anthem All personnel will render the honour to this anthem as our own 44 On conclusion of hostilities the Sabres were returned to the USAF and the squadron returned to South Africa in October 1953 During this period the Union Defence Forces were reorganised into individual services and the SAAF became an arm of service in its own right under an Air Chief of Staff who was renamed Chief of the Air Force in 1966 It adopted a blue uniform to replace the army khaki it had previously worn Rhodesian Bush War Edit The SAAF loaned aircraft and flew occasional covert reconnaissance transport and combat sorties in support of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force RRAF renamed in 1970 as the Rhodesian Air Force RhAF and the rest of the Rhodesian Security Forces from 1966 onwards Notable operations included Operation Uric and Operation Vanity in 1979 Border War Edit Mirage F1CZ on tarmac in 1979 From 1966 to 1989 the SAAF was committed to the Border War which was fought in northern South West Africa and surrounding states At first it provided limited air support to police operations against the People s Liberation Army of Namibia the military wing of SWAPO which was fighting to end South African rule of South West Africa Operations intensified after the defence force took charge of the war in 1974 In July 1964 South Africa placed a development contract with Thomson CSF for a mobile all weather low altitude SAM system after a South African order for the Bloodhound SAM system was refused by the UK government 46 This became the Crotale or Cactus in South African service The South African government paid 85 per cent of the development costs of the system with the balance being paid for by France The system was in service with 120 Squadron SAAF from 1970 until the late 1980s without any successful combat shootdowns 47 The SAAF provided air support to the army during the 1975 76 Angola campaign and in the many cross border operations that were carried out against PLAN bases in Angola and Zambia from 1977 onwards During the bush war period South Africa manufactured six air deliverable tactical nuclear weapons of the gun type design between 1978 and 1993 Each of the devices contained 55 kilograms of HEU with an estimated yield of 10 18 kilotons 48 designed for delivery by Blackburn Buccaneer or English Electric Canberra aircraft See History of the South African Air Force Nuclear and ballistic weapons At least two MIG 21s of the Angolan Air Force were shot down by 3 Squadron SAAF Mirage F1s in 1981 and 1982 49 From 1980 to 1984 the command structure was reorganised Instead of units of the separate Strike Command Transportation Command SAAF and Maritime Air Command SAAF often being based at the same base but responsible to different chains of command regional commands were established Main Threat Air Command MTAC was made responsible for the northern half of the country and Southern Air Command SAAF and Western Air Command SAAF for those areas MTAC was co located with the Air Force Command Post at Pretoria with 20 subordinate squadrons 8 reserve Southern Air Command at Silvermine was allocated nine squadrons three reserve based at AFS Port Elizabeth Cape Town Airport and AFB Ysterplaat including 16 Squadron SAAF Alouettes 25 Squadron flying Dakotas from Ysterplaat 27 Squadron SAAF Piaggio 166 35 Squadron SAAF Avro Shackleton and 88 Maritime Training School 50 Western Air Command at Windhoek relied on aircraft temporarily detached from MTAC and SAC Airspace Control Command Training Command and Air Logistics Command remained largely unchanged SAAF Cheetah D fighter The SAAF was also heavily involved in the 1987 88 Angola campaign before the New York Accords that ended the conflict The international arms embargo imposed against the then apartheid government of South Africa meant that the SAAF was unable to procure modern fighter aircraft to compete with the sophisticated Soviet supplied air defence network and Cuban Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 23s fielded in the latter part of this conflict South Africa was able to secure the transfer of technology from Israel through the Israel South Africa Agreement thereby allowing the Cheetah derivative of the IAI Kfir to be produced From 1990 with the perceived reduction in threat SAAF operational strength began to be reduced 51 The first short term steps entailed the withdrawal of several obsolete aircraft types from service such as the Canberra B 1 12 the Super Frelon and Westland Wasp helicopters the Kudu light aircraft and the P 166s Albatross coastal patrol aircraft Other initial measures included the downgrading of Air Force Base Port Elizabeth and the disbanding of 12 16 24 25 and 27 Squadrons Two Commando squadrons 103 Squadron SAAF at AFB Bloemspruit and 114 Squadron SAAF at AFB Swartkop were also disbanded Air Defence Artillery Group Edit The Hilda Missile System as it was used by the 250 Air Defence Artillery GroupThe 250 Air Defence Artillery Group also known as the 250 Air Defence Unit ADU was a group of air defence squadrons that operated under the control of the South African Air Force tasked with airbase defence The group consisted of 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 and 130 Squadrons and had its own active Citizen Force component These squadrons were equipped with the Tigercat mobile surface to air missile system The Cactus surface to air missile system the ZU 23 2 23mm Anti Aircraft Gun and the Bofors 40 mm gun 120 Squadron mainly operated the Cactus missile system operationally in platoons from 1973 until the late 1980s with each platoon consisting of one Acquisition and Co ordination Unit ACU and two or three firing units with a battery having two platoons 52 121 Squadron 123 Squadron and later 129 Squadron mainly operated the Tigercat mobile surface to air missile system In South African service it was given the name Hilda 123 Squadron was deployed for Operation Savannah in 1975 to provide air defence for Air Force Base Grootfontein in South West Africa 129 Squadron was deployed to Air Force Base Ondangwa for the remainder of the Border War to provide air defence for the logistics base and airfield there as it was an important staging area for the South African Defence Force for their operations in neighbouring Angola 53 54 The Air Defence Artillery Group was disbanded in 1992 after the Cactus missile system was retired with only remnants of 120 Squadron operating the upgraded Cactus Container system becoming a part of Air Command Control Unit at Snake Valley opposite Air Force Base Swartkop on the eastern side of the shared runway 120 Squadron was finally disbanded in 2002 after these systems were retired 55 Major operations Edit Click on show to view major SAAF operations of the Border WarMajor South African Air Force operations during the Border War 1978 1988Date Operation Location Country Aircraft and Role NotesMay 1978 Reindeer Cassinga Angola Para drop 4x C 130 5x C 160Para extraction and support 14x Puma 6x Super FrelonStrike 6x Canberra 4x BuccaneerCAP 4x IIICZ C 1x Cessna 185 1x DC 4 EW ELINT Capt A Marais Buccaneer pilot awarded HCS for action in support of ground forces 56 Jul 1979 Rekstok II Area Aircraft Mirage III R2Z 856 lost due to AAA pilot ejected and was recovered to AFB Ondangwa 57 1979 Vanity Placid and Motel Eastern Angola and Zambia Light Bomber Canberras from SAAF 12 Sqn with Rhodesian 5 Sqn Canberras Operation Vanity 25 26 Feb 1979 bombing of ZIPRA camps in eastern Angola Operations Placid I and II 21 24 Aug 1979 Bombing of ZIPRA camps in Zambia Operations Motel I and II Aug 1979 Strikes on camps SW of Solwezi Zambia Jun 1980 Smokeshell Area Aircraft Impala Mk II 1037 lost due to 23mm AAA fire Pilot ejected and was recovered to HAA in Evale Angola Aircraft was recovered by Super Frelon and returned to service with same side number Alouette III 24 lost due to small arms fire Pilot escaped flight engineer killed 58 Jun 1980 Sceptic and Sceptic II Area Aircraft Results Dec 1980 Wishbone Area Aircraft Results Aug Sep 1981 Protea Cunene province Angola Strike and CAS 12x F1AZ 8x F1CZ 7x IIICZ 6x IIID2Z 16x Impala 5x Buccaneer 5x CanberraPR 1x Canberra 3x IIIRZ 2x ImpalaFire Support Tactical Transport 19x Alouette III 17x Puma 2x Super Frelon 8 x Kudu Para drop and Logistics 7x Dakota 3x C130 160AFC and C 11x Bosbok 59 Capt R C M Lewer DFC HCS awarded HCS for Impala night attack on enemy positions threatening SADF stopper group on evening preceding commencement of Operation Protea 60 Alouette III 48 lost to 14 4mm AAA Crew killed 61 Nov 1981 Daisy Chitequeta southern Angola CAP and Strike 20x F1PR 2x IIIRZ CAS 15x ImpalaArmy Support 9x Puma 2x Frelon 10x AlouetteAir Transport 4x DC3 6x C130 160 1x DC4AFC and C 9x Bosbok 62 Results Mar 1982 Super Kaokoveld South West Africa and Angolan province of Namibe Aircraft Air support to ground force operation to prevent SWAPO infiltration into South West Africa through the Kaokoveld from a location near the abandoned Portuguese town of Iona Capt N Ellis and F Sgt S Coetzee awarded HC for close air support to army forces 60 Mar 1982 Rekstok III Area Aircraft Results Aug 1982 Meebos Area Aircraft Results Oct 1982 Bravo Area Aircraft Results 1983 Maanskyn Area Aircraft Results Apr Jun 1983 Dolfyn Area Aircraft Results May 1983 Skerve Mozambique Aircraft Results Aug 1983 Karton Area Aircraft Results Nov 1983 Jan 1984 Askari Cuvelai Cunene province Angola 63 Aircraft Results 1985 Second Congress Area Aircraft Results Sep Oct 1985 Wallpaper and Weldmesh Area Aircraft Results Jun Nov 1987 Moduler Cuito Cuanavale Angola Army Support Alouette IIIs PumasCAP and PR escort F1CZsCAS and Strike missions F1AZ BuccaneerPR IIR2ZAFC Bosbok RPV 64 Operation to halt Angolan Cuban advance on Mavinga Pumas used for special forces insertion and extraction 1x F1CZ damaged by MiG 23 AAM 8 missile crash landed Rundu 27 Sep 87 65 SA 8 SAM system captured and flown back to S Afr by C160 66 3x RPV 67 and 1x Bosbok 934 lost to SA 8 SAM Sep 87 pilot killed 68 Nov 1987 Mar 1988 Hooper Cuito Cuanavale Angola Aircraft Mirage F1AZ 245 lost to SA 13 SAM Pilot killed 68 Mar May 1988 Packer Cuito Cuanavale Angola Aircraft Results Abbreviations CAP Combat air patrol PR Photo reconnaissance CAS Close air support C Command control and communications AFC Airborne artillery fire control HAA Helicopter administration area AAA Anti aircraft artilleryDuring the bush war the SAAF lost a total of 22 aircraft e 1974 1989 to enemy action A further 11 aircraft f were lost in the operational area due to pilot error or malfunction 69 Since 1994 Edit Silver Falcons aerobatic team use Pilatus trainersAfter the first South African multi racial elections in 1994 the SAAF became part of the South African National Defence Force SANDF The South African Air Force is currently considered to be the most effective air force in sub Sahara Africa despite the loss of capability as a consequence of defence cuts after the end of the Border War 70 These financial cuts have brought about a number of severe operational limitations compounded by the loss of experienced air crews This has placed strain on the bringing new types of aircraft into service specifically the Gripen Hawk Rooivalk A 109 and Lynx The cancellation of the SAAF participation and procurement of the A400M in November 2009 has denied the SAAF the strategic airlift capability needed for domestic regional and continent wide transport operations There is no clear indication as yet regarding how the heavy long range airlift gap will be addressed 70 Current air combat capabilities are limited to the Gripen multi role fighter and the Rooivalk combat support helicopter although in insufficient number to allow regional deployments while maintaining national air security and current training commitments To overcome this shortfall the SAAF has designated the Hawk Mk 120 trainers for additional tactical reconnaissance and weapon delivery platforms for targets designated by the Gripens 70 Financial constraints have further limited flying hours on the newly acquired aircraft it was planned to keep Gripen pilots current flying the lower cost Hawk aircraft with Gripenised cockpits 71 It was reported in 2013 that the Gripen fleet wasn t fully manned with some pilots redesignated as reserve pilots and others being assigned instructor roles at Air Force Base Makhado The SAAF stated that the Gripen fleet is being rotated between short term storage and active use by the regular active pilots to spread the limited flying hours among the whole fleet 72 During this same period it was reported that 18 of the SAAF s AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters have been grounded due to an accident involving one of the helicopters several months prior and a lack of funds for regular maintenance however in November 2013 after five months of not flying the grounding of the helicopters was lifted after more funds became available 73 Despite all its setbacks and financial woes the South African Air Force continues to undertake and complete the tasks and obligations assigned to it The SAAF still plays a vital role in national security operations United Nations peacekeeping missions and other foreign deployments As of 2014 update the Air force has several aircraft aircrew and ground crew on foreign deployments Three Rooivalk 74 attack helicopters from 16 Squadron SAAF and five or six 15 17 19 and or 22 Squadron SAAF s Oryx transport helicopters were stationed in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo MONUSCO The Rooivalk and Oryx Helicopters are part of the South African contribution to the 3000 strong United Nations Force Intervention Brigade FIB and they have flown several sorties against rebel factions who are operating in North Kivu province particularly the notorious M23 militia group who were routed from their strongholds after an offensive by the UN Force Intervention Brigade and the Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo 75 76 77 A pair of Hawk 120s conduct a security simulation over Swartkop in preparation for the 2010 World Cup Several 28 Squadron SAAF C 130BZ Hercules aircraft also regularly flew to Sudan DR Congo and Uganda including Lubumbashi Kinshasa Goma Beni Bunia and Entebbe as Entebbe is the logistic hub for MONUSCO in the eastern DR Congo They mainly fly missions ranging from logistic support for SA National Defence Force continental peacekeeping and peace support operations humanitarian operations support to the South African Army and general airlift 78 79 A C 47TP Turbo Dakota from 35 Squadron SAAF permanently based in the Mozambican city of Pemba to provide maritime patrol capability for the Southern African Development Community SADC counter piracy mission in the Mozambique Channel Operation Copper There is also a Super Lynx from 22 Squadron SAAF operating from the South African Navy frigates whenever they are stationed in the Mozambican channel The air force also assists Operation Corona from time to time by deploying either AgustaWestland AW109 or Atlas Oryx helicopters to its borders 80 During the 2010 FIFA World Cup the South African National Defence Force was deployed in order to provide security for the event The air force deployed armed Gripen Fighter aircraft and Hawk advanced trainer aircraft to conduct air patrols to monitor air traffic Rooivalk Atlas Oryx and AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters were also deployed during the event 81 It was also reported by the Afrikaans daily newspaper Beeld that on 23 March 2013 when the Seleka rebel group attempted to take power in the Central African Republic by invading the capital of Bangui four armed Gripen Fighter aircraft from 2 Squadron SAAF were sent along with a C 130BZ transport aircraft reportedly carrying a stock of bombs in order to provide close air support to the 200 strong South African garrison who were still fighting in the city The aircraft were however recalled shortly after as the South Africans and the rebels agreed to a ceasefire and rather opted to withdraw peacefully from the country Several flights made by C 130BZ aircraft evacuated the bodies of the 13 South African soldiers who were killed and the 27 who were wounded during the Seleka offensive and also the remainder of the deployed soldiers and their equipment after the ceasefire was declared The deployment of the Gripen fighter aircraft indicated that if the situation called for it the country will deploy its fighter aircraft in order to ensure the protection of its assets 82 The air force was also tasked with maintaining national security before and during the funeral procession of former president Nelson Mandela in December 2013 Several SAAF helicopters conducted patrols over Pretoria while the former president s body was lying in state in the days leading up to the funeral Gripen fighter aircraft armed with IRIS T missiles and Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pods conducted combat air patrols to enforce a no fly zone for several days over certain areas in Gauteng province and later during the funeral itself over Qunu in the Eastern Cape Two Gripens were also tasked with escorting a C 130BZ aircraft which was carrying President Mandela s body from Air Force Base Waterkloof to the Mthatha Airport Five Gripens three Oryx helicopters and the 6 Pilatus PC 7 s of the Silver Falcons performed a flypast in a final salute to the late former president 83 SAAF C130 BZ Hercules of 28 Squadron On 12 September 2014 a church hostel collapsed within the compound of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos Nigeria More than 100 persons died in the collapse among them 85 South Africans 84 President Jacob Zuma ordered the South African Air Force to assist with the repatriation of survivors and victims and the first 25 survivors were flown to South Africa in a specially adapted SAAF Hercules C 130 on 22 September 2014 85 Due to a lack of airlift capacity an Antonov aircraft from Maximus Aero was chartered in order to repatriate the bodies of 74 victims which arrived on 15 November 2014 86 The last 11 bodies were finally repatriated using an SAAF C 130 on 6 February 2015 The delay in repatriating the last bodies was due to authorities having to wait for DNA test results in order to positively identify the remaining victims 84 In spite of its budget concerns the air force still continues to participate in and support annual air and defence shows and capability demonstrations such as the Rand show the Zwartkops airshow and the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo 87 88 In 2002 Musa Mbhokota became the SAAF s first black jet fighter pilot 89 In March 2017 Nandi Zama became for first black woman in SAAF history to command and fly a Hercules C 130 cargo plane 90 As of 2021 Department of Defence officials informed Parliament that a reduced availability of aircraft was negatively affecting hours flown Helicopter systems were said to have a critical spares shortage with similar problems also confronting the transport and combat aircraft and systems The parliamentary Defence and Military Veterans PCDMV committee was told that Constrained funding is also affecting the ability to provide enough serviceable aircraft although serious efforts are being made to ensure availability is increased within the reduced budget During the first quarter of the 2021 22 financial year the air force flew 3 560 8 hours including 2 717 Force Preparation hours 636 7 Force Employment hours and 207 1 VIP flying hours 91 As of late 2021 all the Air Force s Gripen fighter aircraft were grounded However in 2022 the Air Force concluded a deal with Saab to return 13 of the aircraft to service over a three year period 92 93 Symbols EditEnsign Edit Ensigns of the South African Air Force 1920 1940 1940 1951 1951 1958 1958 1967 1967 1970 1970 1981 1981 1982 1982 1994 1994 2003 2003 present Roundels Edit Roundels of the South African Air Force 1920 experimental 1920 experimental 1920 1927 1927 1947 1947 1958 1958 1993 1993 2003 2003 present 2003 present low visibility Rank insignia Edit Main article South African military ranks In 2002 the Air Force rank insignia were changed from one which was shared with the Army to a new pattern based on stripes The Air Force stated that this was in order to bring it more in line with international forms of rank 94 The General ranks initially had a thick stripe thicker than the Senior Officer rank stripe with thin stripes above but this was changed shortly after implementation to the crossed sword and baton insignia typical of Commonwealth Generals The reason for the change so soon after implementation of the new insignia was presumed to be confusion in differentiating between Generals and Senior Officers OfficersRank group General flag officers Field senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet South African Air Force 95 vte General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer candidateWarrant officersNote The Rank of Master Chief Warrant Officer is only used when the Sergeant Major of the Air Force is also the Sergeant Major of the Defence Force Equivalent NATO rank WO 5 WO 4 WO 3 WO 2 WO 1 South African Air Forcevte Master chief warrant officer Senior chief warrant officer Chief warrant officer Master warrant officer Senior warrant officerOther ranksRank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted South African Air Force 95 vte No insigniaWarrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal AircraftmanSAAF medals and decorations Edit Main article South African military decorations A new set of emblems medals and decorations were introduced on 29 April 2003 96 although medals issued by the SADF can still be worn Unit emblems Edit Air force bases Edit Flying squadrons Edit South African Air Force Flying Squadrons Reserve squadrons Edit South African Air Force Reserve Squadrons Other flying units Edit South African Air Force Other Flying Units Security squadrons Edit South African Air Force Security Squadrons Engineering support units Edit South African Air Force Engineering Units Air defence artillery units Edit 250 Air Defence Artillery Group Structure Command and control units Edit South African Air Force Command and Control Units The various Forward Air Command Posts and Air Operations Teams were closed on 31 December 2003 and integrated in the new Joint Regional Task Groups under command of Chief of Joint Operations Training units Edit South African Air Force Training Units Support units Edit South African Air Force Support Units ver 3Order of battle bases squadrons and equipment EditBases Edit Durban FADN Bloemspruit FABL Hoedspruit FAHS Langebaanweg FALW Makhado FALM Overberg FAOB Swartkop FASK Waterkloof FAWK Ysterplaat FAYP Port Elizabeth FAPE class notpageimage Map of South African Air Force bases and stations Click on base icon for link to details 97 Squadrons Edit Main article List of squadrons of the South African Air Force Click on show to view order of battle and equipment fit of current SAAF Squadrons and UnitsNote Squadron composition as seen below is incomplete Squadron Number Base Type of Aircraft Role Composition2 Squadron SAAF AFB Makhado Gripen Air Defence 9 Gripen D 17 Gripen C15 Squadron SAAF AFB Durban Atlas Oryx MBB Kawasaki BK 117 Transport15 Squadron C Flight AFS Port Elizabeth BK 117 converting to Agusta A109 Transport16 Squadron SAAF AFB Bloemspruit Denel Rooivalk Attack 11 Rooivalk Mk I17 Squadron SAAF AFB Waterkloof Atlas Oryx Agusta A109 Transport 4 A10919 Squadron SAAF AFB Hoedspruit Atlas Oryx Agusta A109 Transport 5 A10921 Squadron SAAF AFB Waterkloof Boeing BBJ Cessna Citation I Dassault Falcon 50 Dassault Falcon 900 VIP Transport22 Squadron SAAF AFB Ysterplaat Atlas Oryx Westland Super Lynx 300 Transport28 Squadron SAAF AFB Waterkloof Lockheed C 130BZ Hercules Medium Transport35 Squadron SAAF AFB Ysterplaat C 47TP Dakota Maritime patrol Transport41 Squadron SAAF AFB Waterkloof Cessna 208 Pilatus PC 12 Beechcraft 200C King Air Light Transport44 Squadron SAAF AFB Waterkloof CASA C 212 Aviocar CASA CN 235 Light Transport60 Squadron SAAF AFB Waterkloof No operational aircraft Planned acquisition of Airbus A400Ms cancelled in November 2009 Transport Aerial refueling EW ELINT80 Air Navigation School AFB Ysterplaat Navigation training85 Combat Flying School AFB Makhado BAE Systems Hawk Mk 120 Jet flight training Combat Operation 24 Hawk Mk 12087 Helicopter Flying School AFB Bloemspruit Atlas Oryx Agusta A109 BK 117 Helicopter flight training 9 A109Central Flying School AFB Langebaanweg Pilatus PC 7 MkII Flight training g Test Flight and Development Centre AFB Overberg 1x Agusta 109 1x SAAB Gripen D 1x BAe Hawk Mk 120 1x Atlas Oryx h Test flight and evaluationSA Air Force College Other locationsSAAF Museum Historic Flight AFB SwartkopJoint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre AFB Waterkloof Air Intelligence101 Squadron AFB Hoedspruit Light Transport Reserve 102 Squadron AFB Makhado Light Transport Reserve 104 Squadron AFB Waterkloof Light Transport Reserve 105 Squadron AFB Durban Light Transport Reserve 106 Squadron AFB Bloemspruit Light Transport Reserve 107 Squadron AFB Bloemspruit Light Transport Reserve 108 Squadron AFS Port Elizabeth Light Transport Reserve 110 Squadron AFB Ysterplaat Light Transport Reserve 111 Squadron AFB Waterkloof Light Transport Reserve 1 Air Servicing Unit AFS Thaba Tshwane Support and maintenance2 Air Servicing Unit AFB Ysterplaat Support and maintenance3 Air Servicing Unit AFB Makhado Support and maintenance4 Air Servicing Unit Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Support and maintenance5 Air Servicing Unit AFB Waterkloof Support and maintenance7 Air Servicing Unit AFB Hoedspruit Support and maintenance10 Air Depot AFS Thaba Tshwane Logistic support services68 Air School TEK Base Technical aviation training18 Deployment Support Unit Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Logistic support services92 Tactical Airfield Unit Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing97 Tactical Airfield Unit Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Logistic support services140 Squadron Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Long Range 3D Mobile Radar142 Squadron Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Tactical Mobile Radar500 Squadron Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Special Operations Task Force501 Squadron Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Security services502 Squadron TEK Base Security services503 Squadron Valhalla Security services504 Squadron AFB Waterkloof Security services505 Squadron AFB Ysterplaat Security services506 Squadron AFB Bloemspruit Security services508 Squadron AFB Durban Security services514 Squadron AFB Hoedspruit Security services515 Squadron AFB Makhado Security services525 Squadron AFB Overberg Security services526 Squadron AFB Langebaanweg Security servicesAir Force Gymnasium AFB Hoedspruit Basic training of new airforce membersBushveld Airspace Control Sector Air Command Air Force Headquarters Pretoria Training Air defence Air Traffic Control ServicesLowveld Airspace Control Sector AFB Hoedspruit Training Air defence Air Traffic Control ServicesMobile Communications Unit Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Mobile communicationsRapid Deployment Air Operations Team 43 Wonderboom Logistic support servicesRapid Deployment Air Operations Team 46 Johannesburg Logistic support servicesAir Publications Service Centre AFS Thaba Tshwane Maintains documentation aviation regulations and actsSA Air Force Band Valhalla CeremonialCommand and Control School AFB Waterkloof TrainingSchool of Cookery Valhalla Training of chefs and waitersFire Training School Valhalla Fire fighting and rescue trainingAir Force Command and Control School AFB Hoedspruit Command and Control Airspace Control and Telecommunications trainingAirspace Control Unit AFB Swartkop Logistics support services Air defence Central Photographic Institute AFB Waterkloof Photographic servicesCombined Auction Centre Other Logistic support servicesEllisras Reporting Post Other Early Warning Radar installationSAAF Police Other Security servicesSAAF Telecommunications Centre AFB Waterkloof Logistics support servicesElectronic Warfare Centre AFB Waterkloof Logistics support servicesAircraft EditCurrent inventory Edit A SAAF Gripen a 4th Generation multirole combat aircraft A SAAF C 130 Hercules The Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter A Boeing 737 at Johannesburg International Aircraft Origin Type Variant Inventory NotesCombat AircraftJAS 39 Gripen Sweden multirole JAS 39C JAS 39D 17 9 100 13 to be brought back into service 93 Electronic WarfareCessna 208 United States radar jamming 1 101 Douglas DC 3 United States electronic warfare BSAS C 47 65ARTP 1 101 modified with P amp W PT6A Turboprop engines TransportBoeing 737 United States VIP BBJ 1 102 Citation II United States VIP 2 102 Dassault Falcon 50 France VIP 2 102 Dassault Falcon 900 France VIP 1 102 Cessna 208 United States utility transport 7 101 CASA C 212 Spain transport utility 2 101 Pilatus PC 12 Switzerland transport utility PC 12NG 1 101 Super King Air United States utility transport 200 300 4 101 Douglas DC 3 United States transport 65ARTP 6 101 three aircraft provide maritime patrolC 130 Hercules United States transport C 130BZ 6 103 HelicopterAtlas Oryx South Africa utility transport 44 101 Derivative of the SA330 Puma 104 Denel Rooivalk South Africa attack 12 101 MBB Kawasaki BK 117 Germany Japan utility 6 101 AgustaWestland AW109 Italy light utility 25 101 Westland Super Lynx United Kingdom Maritime helicopter Mk 300 4Trainer aircraftBAE Hawk United Kingdom advanced trainer 120 23 101 Pilatus PC 7 Switzerland trainer Mk II 56 101 Retired Edit Previous notable aircraft operated by the SAAF include Atlas Cheetah Mirage F1 Mirage III C 130F Hercules Retired aircraft see List of aircraft of the South African Air Force Weapon systems Edit Main article List of weapon systems of the South African Air Force For weapon system no longer in use see List of obsolete weapon systems of the South African Air Force Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing Edit Main article South African Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing The Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing AFMDW provides combat ready integrated and deployable air support capabilities to the South African National Defence Force The AFMDW consists of 18 Deployment Support Unit Mobile Communications Unit 140 Squadron and 142 Squadron 500 Squadron and 501 Squadron Reserves Edit The Air Force Conventional Reserves are a pool of reserve posts created to serve the SAAF and augment regular units as and when needed All trades in the SAAF are represented in the reserves e g pilots security squadron personnel etc The Air Force Territorial Reserve currently consists of nine squadrons of privately owned aircraft operated by reserve pilots on behalf of the SAAF who assist in light transport and observation roles 105 Other establishments and units Edit The South African Air Force Memorial Air Force Memorial Edit Main article South African Air Force Memorial The South African Air Force Memorial is a memorial to South African Air Force members who have died whilst in service of the South African Air Corps and the South African Air Force from 1915 to the present The memorial is located at Swartkop outside Pretoria Air Force Museum Edit Main article South African Air Force Museum The South African Air Force Museum houses exhibits and restores material related to the history of the South African Air Force It is spread across three locations AFB Swartkop outside Pretoria AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town and at the Port Elizabeth airport Swartkop is the largest of the three museum locations occupying at least five hangars and contains a number of Atlas Cheetahs as well as a Cheetah C flight simulator Silver Falcons Edit Main article Silver Falcons The Silver Falcons are the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force and are based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town The Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC 7 Mk II Astra the basic trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5 ship routine The main purpose is to enhance the image of the South African Air Force encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display Radar coverage Edit The South African Air Force operates several radar systems within the country s borders and can deploy radar systems internationally to support external South African operations such as during UN peacekeeping operations The Air Force s radar equipment is also supplemented by radar equipment and data from the other branches of the South African National Defence Force the South African Weather Service and several civilian airport radars who cooperate with the Air Force to monitor air traffic Each air force base is equipped with air field radar approach systems AFRAS that monitors air traffic within the airfield s operational sector 24 hours per day These systems include primary approach radars precision approach radars and secondary surveillance radar and display systems These systems have a range of more than 120 km The AFRAS are maintained by Saab Grintek as well as Tellumat 106 Air Force Base Overberg in the Western Cape is also equipped with a Doppler tracking radar and is used primarily by the Test Flight and Development Centre SAAF and the Denel Overberg Test Range for aircraft and missile development tests 107 In the Western Cape there is a radar station at Kapteinskop jointly used by Air Force Base Langebaanweg and Cape Town International Airport to monitor air traffic 108 Air Force Base Makhado has another radar station located in the mountains to the north of the main base complex apart from its AFRAS radar located in the main base itself 109 The Air Force maintains six Umlindi Zulu Watchman AR3D long range early warning radar systems British AR3D radar systems extensively upgraded by the South African company Tellumat which are operated by 140 Squadron SAAF as part of the South African Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing 110 There are two static radar stations located in Lephalale Ellisras and Mariepskop near Air Force Base Hoedspruit The other systems are mobile and can be deployed to any part of the country to support operations with the use of 20 ton 8x8 MAN trucks Each of these systems has a range of 500 km but can only track aircraft flying above 700 metres The static radars are usually linked to two Air Force sector control centres SCC the Lowveld Airspace Control Sector and the Bushveld Airspace Control Sector while the mobile radar have their own mobile sector control centres MSCC 111 To mitigate this lack of low level radar coverage the Air Force also operates four Plessey Tactical Mobile Radar TMR systems in service with 142 Squadron SAAF These systems can cover altitudes below 700 metres but they have a shorter range than the Umlindi systems at 150 km The deployment of these systems require the use of a MAN 8 8 truck one per system one or two light vehicles for command and control purposes a water tanker a diesel bowser and a technical workshop vehicle These systems can operate 24 hours a day with less than 20 personnel including personnel from other AFMDW units like the Mobile Communications Unit and 501 Squadron 111 The South African Air Force s Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft are also equipped with PS 05 A pulse doppler X band multi mode radar developed by Ericsson and GEC Marconi This all weather radar system is capable of locating and identifying air targets 120 km away and surface targets 70 km away It is also able to automatically track multiple targets in the upper and lower spheres on the ground and sea or in the air It can guide several beyond visual range air to air missiles to multiple targets simultaneously although the Air Force still lacks modern beyond visual range missile capability 112 113 When deployed operationally on combat missions and air patrols the aircraft can link their systems to the South African National Defence Force s digital network protocol Link ZA to share data with other radar systems to help create a wider picture as to the situation in the air and on the ground in order to rapidly adapt to a change in short term situations 114 Other branches of the South African National Defence Force also operate several radar systems that can assist the South African Air Force The South African Navy uses four Valour class frigates each of which is equipped with the Thales Naval France MRR 3D NG G band multi role surveillance self defence radar that can detect low and medium level targets at ranges of up to 140 km and in long range 3D air surveillance mode targets up to 180 km In the self defence mode it can detect and track any threat within a radius of 60 km These Frigates can link their data systems to the Link ZA system to help create a broader picture for the armed forces 115 The South African Army also operates several Reutech Radar Systems RRS ESR220 Thutlhwa Kameelperd Giraffe Mobile Battery Fire Control Post Systems These NATO D Band radars have a range of 120 km and can also be linked to Link ZA to assist air force operations 116 Civilian airport radars in all nine provinces as well as the network of South African Weather Service radars can also share their radar data with the South African Air Force According to the South African Weather Service the South African Air Force has access to raw data from their ten long range fixed system Doppler S Band and two short range mobile X Band meteorological radars and the interpreted information can be used for aviation and defence purposes 117 118 Training Areas EditDitholo Training Area Edit Situated 66 km north of Pretoria Ditholo Training Area used to house Air Defence Artillery Group until 1992 The 3300 hectare property is used primarily for gravel runway training radar tracking and aerial cargo drop exercises such as LAPES Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System LAPES is a tactical military airlift delivery method where a fixed wing cargo aircraft can deposit supplies when landing is not an option in an area that is too small to accurately parachute supplies from a high altitude Other training include Search and rescue exercises basic training VIP protection candidate officer training task force training and escape and evasion training Due to its unique ecology Ditholo is also a registered nature reserve being one of the few remaining portions of Kalahari plains thornveld in existence As of 2013 Ditholo is run jointly with the Gauteng Provincial Government as part of the Dinokeng Biosphere Reserve As of 24 May 2014 it houses more than 340 species of birds and large mammal species such as giraffe lion zebra tsessebe blue wildebeest kudu and waterbuck 119 120 The Roodewal Weapons Range Edit Situated in the Limpopo Province roughly halfway between Polokwane previously Pietersburg and AFB Makhado near the town of Louis Trichardt This property is used for air superiority training Buffering the range is the Corbadraai Nature Reserve 121 122 Temporary Air Base Upington Edit Activated only for large scale exercises in the Northern Cape Dragons Peak Drakensberg Edit In 1985 a satellite base at Dragons Peak in the Drakensberg was established in order to conduct helicopter mountain flying training Vastrap Edit Vastrap Afrikaans stand firm is a small military airfield situated in the Kalahari Desert north east of Upington inside a 700 square kilometre weapons test range of the same name 1 belonging to the South African National Defence Force It was constructed to allow the SAAF to practice tactical bombing operations and for aircraft to service the ARMSCOR s defunct underground nuclear weapon test site Environmental Management Edit SAAF environmental services The SAAF s training areas and bases are home to many species of fauna and flora as well as in some instances buildings and other structures of historical and cultural value The Environmental Services sub department in the SANDF Logistics Division has the overall task of ensuring proper environmental practices are in place not only on training grounds but also at bases 123 124 125 The following specific management is practiced Integrated Training Area Management ITAM aims to enhance long term effective training by implementing management practices for land and aerial ranges to ensure their continued use and minimised environmental damage Base Environmental Management BEM system proper management of buildings responsible water and energy use integrated waste management as well as ensuring cultural and historical resources are properly maintained Environment for Operations ECOps aims to ensure adverse effects of military activities on the general environment are avoided or mitigated throughout any specific operations Notes Edit Alexandersfontein is at 28 48 36 S 24 48 07 E 28 8101 S 24 802 E 28 8101 24 802 Alexandersdfontein 30x Avro 504K s 22x Royal Aircraft Factory S E 5a s 49x De Havilland DH 9 s one of which was donated by the City of Birmingham 10x De Havilland DH 4 s donated by the Overseas Club of London 2x Royal Aircraft Factory B E 2e s donated by Maj Miller Tour 14 SAAF elements in the Western Desert Air Force as at 26 May 1942 A Assigned to air HQ A 1 15 Sqn Fighter Recon Amiriya with one detachment at Kufra Blenheim IVF A 2 40 Sqn Recon El Adem Hurricane I Tomahawk A 3 60 Sqn Recon Sidi Barrani Marylands B No 3 Wing SAAF Baheira B 1 12 Sqn Light Bomber Baheira Boston III s B 2 24 Sqn Light Bomber Baheira Baltimore I B 3 No 223 RAF Light Bomber Baheira Baltimore I C No 223 Wing RAF Gambut C 1 4 Sqn Fighter Gambut Tomahawks C 2 5 Sqn Fighter Gambut Tomahawks C 3 2 Sqn Fighter Gambut Kittyhawk I 25 These three Maritime Reconnaissance Flights were later combined to form 16 Squadron 32 Flight consisting of 5 Glenn Martin Maryland Bombers Maj D Meaker Officer Commanding 36 Flight with 6 Bristol Beaufort Bombers Maj J Clayton Officer Commanding 37 Flight with 1 Maryland and 5 Beauforts Maj K Jones Officer Commanding 32 1x Mirage F1AZ 1x Mirage III R2Z 1x Canberra 5x Impala Mk II 1x Bosbok 1x Cessna 185 4x Puma 5x Alouette 3x RPV 69 3x Impala 1x Mirage F1AZ 2x Puma 1x Kudu 3x Alouette 1x Cessna 185 69 Ab initio training is outsourced to a civilian school Babcock Central Flying Academy of Grand Central Airport using Cessna 172s 98 The training is done at AFB Swartkop 99 As well as others on temporary detachment from squadrons and manufacturers References Edit South African Air Force Corporate Identity Archived from the original on 7 June 2012 Retrieved 7 June 2012 Curriculum Vitae of Lieutenant General Wiseman S Mbambo Chief of the South African Air Force 4 June 2021 The History 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2016 Retrieved 26 October 2016 Equus June 2004 PDF DOD Environmental Services Archived PDF from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 7 November 2016 Helfrich Kim Top honours for the SAAF at DoD environmental awards defenceWeb www defenceweb co za Archived from the original on 23 September 2015 Retrieved 26 October 2016 Bibliography EditGreen William and Gordon Swanborough Annals of the Gauntlet Air Enthusiast Quarterly No 2 n d pp 163 176 ISSN 0143 5450 Spring Ivan Springbok Jet Age The Gloster Meteor III in SAAF service Air Enthusiast No 55 Autumn 1994 pp 8 12 ISSN 0143 5450External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to South African Air Force Official South African Air Force website website currently inactive Unofficial South African Air Force website SAAF ejection seat history Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title South African Air Force amp oldid 1129459260, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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