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South African Air Force
The SAAF Ensign
Active	Aviation Corps founded: 1912 Became independent: 1951
Country	South Africa
Part of	South African National Defence Force
Motto	Per Aspera Ad Astra
Commanders
Chief of the Air Force	Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack	Rooivalk
Electronic warfare	Oryx stand off radar jammer, Oryx stand off comunications jammer, ELINT C-47 Turbo Dakota
Fighter	JAS-39C/D Gripen
Patrol	C-47 Turbo Dakota, Super Lynx 300
Trainer	PC-7 MKII Astra, Hawk Mk 120
Transport	C-47TP, C-130BZ Hercules, Oryx, Agusta A109, CASA 212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna Caravan

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra (Through adversity to the stars). An official slogan, Through Diversity To Airpower Excellence, is also used.

History

Replica Patterson No. 2 Biplane at the South African Air Force Museum

The origin of the South African Air Force can be traced back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was formed. ¹ The first flying school in South Africa was started that year in Kimberley using a Compton-Paterson biplane.² This formation included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was formed as part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF).

World War I

In April 1914 six pupils (with the probationary ranks of lieutenant in the ACF) were sent to England to undergo further training.¹ Five of them eventually qualified.

When World War I broke out in August 1914, these pilots were granted permission to join the newly formed Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3,000, with 260 active-duty fatalities. They took part in aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting missions over France during the war.

Inter-war period

SAAF roundel from 1927 until 1947.

On 1 February 1920 the South African Air Force was established with Col. Pierre van Ryneveld as the Director Air Services. Its first operation was in 1922, when it helped to crush the Rand Revolt, an armed uprising by white mineworkers. The SAAF bombed targets around Johannesburg, and lost some aircraft to ground fire. Col. Sir Pierre van Ryneveld himself was shot down, but survived.

In 1934 a significant increase in the defence budget was approved and in 1935 the Minister of Defence announced that the UDF was to be expanded.

World War II

Despite the expansions, the start of World War II in 1939 caught the SAAF unprepared. This caused the establishment of the Joint Air Training Scheme (JATS) in order to train Royal Air Force, SAAF and other allied air and ground crews at 38 South African-based air schools. This expanded the number of military aircraft in the SAAF to 1,709 by September 1941, with a personnel strength of 31,204 (956 pilots).

• Home defence (1939-45): Patrols of South African waters, where German U-boats and Japanese submarines were active.
• East Africa (1940-41): 2 Wing fought in British-led operations against Italian Somaliland and Italian-occupied Ethiopia.
• North Africa (1941-43): 3 and 7 Wings fought as part of the Desert Air Force, in operations in Egypt, Libya and Tunis.
• Madagascar (1942): A detachment took part in the British-led occupation of this French-ruled island.
• Atlantic (1943-45): Two squadrons patrolled convoy routes off West Africa and Gibraltar.
• Sicily (1943): 3 Wing provided air support during the Allied seizure of the island.
• Italy (1943-45): 2, 3 and 7 Wings fought in operations to liberate Italy from German occupation.

March/April 1942, Landing Ground 121, Egypt. Lieutenant Robin Pare (left), Major John "Jack" Frost (centre) and Captain Andrew Duncan (right) of 5 Squadron SAAF, part of the Desert Air Force. All three had been killed in action by the end of June. Frost, the squadron commander, was the highest scoring ace in an SAAF unit during World War II.

• Yugoslavia (1943-44): 7 Wing supported partisan operations against German occupation forces.
• France (1944): A detachment took part in the Franco-American invasion of southern France.
• 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.

In particular, the SAAF played a major role in North Africa, where its fighter, bomber and reconnaissance squadrons enabled the Allied Desert Air Force to attain air superiority over the Axis air forces by the beginning of 1942. Between April 1941 and May 1943 the eleven squadrons of the SAAF flew 33,991 sorties and destroyed 342 enemy aircraft, producing a number of SAAF WWII air aces in the process, including John Frost, Sailor Malan, Gerald Stapleton and Marmaduke Pattle.

Berlin airlift

Post-war, the SAAF also took part in the Berlin airlift of 1948 with 20 aircrews flying Royal Air Force Dakotas.

Korean War

In the Korean War, the famous 2 Squadron ("The Flying Cheetahs") took part as South Africa's contribution. It won many American decorations, including the unusual honour of a United States Presidential Unit Citation in 1952:

2 Sqn had a long and distinguished record of service in Korea flying P-51D Mustangs and later F-86F Sabres. Their role was mainly flying ground attack and interdiction missions as one of the squadrons making up the USAF's 18th Fighter Bomber Wing.

During the Korean conflict the squadron flew a grand total of 12 067 sorties for a loss of 34 pilots and two other ranks. Aircraft losses amounted to 74 out of 97 Mustangs and four out of 22 Sabres. Pilots and men of the squadron received a total of 797 medals including 2 Silver Stars - the highest award to non-American nationals - 3 Legions of Merit, 55 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 40 Bronze Stars. 8 pilots became POWs. Casualties: 20 KIA 16 WIA.³

Independent status for the SAAF

When the Union Defence Forces were reorganised into individual services in 1951, 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.

The SAAF was scaled down in the 1950s, and rebuilt in the 1960s, after South Africa had become a republic, and diplomatic isolation and the United Nations arms embargo had begun to have an effect.

Border War

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.

Angola campaign

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.

It was also heavily involved in the 1987-88 Angola campaign, before the peace settlement that ended the conflict. Due to the international arms embargo imposed against South Africa, the SAAF was unable to procure modern fighter aircraft to compete with the MiG-23s fielded by the Cubans in the latter part of this conflict.

1994 elections

SAAF flag incoporating the new 1994 national flag.

After the first multi-racial elections were held in 1994, the SAAF became an integrated air force as part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

21st century

Currently the SAAF is classified as a small air force.

Personnel

As of 2007 the SAAF has about 8000 regular uniformed members augmented by about 1500 civilians and roughly 900 reserves.

Budget

A budget of R9 billion (roughly US$1.1 billion at March 2008 exchange rates) was allocated for FY2008\2009. ⁴

(The reason for the apparent large increase over the previous financial year's amount of roughly US$350 million, is the fact that in the 2008/2009 budget documents, the payments for new aircraft acquisitions have been included in the regular air force budget and then again, in the special defence account budget.)

Strength

The South African Air Force consists of about 175 aircraft of all types as of 2007^[update], including about 27 combat-capable fast jets and 12 attack helicopters. The SAAF does however suffer from a severe shortage of pilots and technical personnel. The impact of this is that the combat force is in effect smaller than it appears on paper. As at August 1, 2008 the SAAF only had 20 combat ready Fighter pilots available. ⁵

Current order of battle

Aircraft inventory

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Fighter Aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen	Sweden	Multi role fighter	C and D (single and twin seat)	46	9 JAS-39D twin seat and 17 JAS-39C single seat Gripens will be delivered between 2008 and 2012, the Gripens will replace the Cheetahs which were taken out of service in early April 2008.
Trainer Aircraft
British Aerospace Hawk Mk120	United Kingdom	Lead in fighter trainer	Mk120	236	1 to be delivered.
Pilatus PC-7	Switzerland	Trainer	PC-7 MKII	35	Limited avionics upgrade under way.
Helicopters
Atlas Oryx	South Africa	Medium transport helicopter	MKI and MKII	35	Currently receiving basic mid-life update (the single MKII version is adapted for Arctic conditions).
Denel Rooivalk	South Africa	Attack helicopter		12	To achieve intitial operating capability in 2008.
MBB/Kawasaki BK117	Germany  Japan	Utility helicopter	BK117	66	Being phased out; replaced by Agusta A109 LUH.
Agusta A109LUH	Italy	Light utility helicopter	A109LUH	20	10 more under delivery.
Westland Super Lynx 300	United Kingdom	Naval helicopter	MK300	4	Operated from South African Navy Valour class frigates.
Transports
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Transport	C-130BZ	9	Upgraded with new avionics and glass cockpits.
Douglas C-47 Turbo Dakota	United States	Maritime patrol / transport / electronic warfare	C-47TP	10	5 maritime patrol, 3 transport, 2 electronic warfare.
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	Light utility / observation	208	12	Fitted with Denel infrared observation system.
Beechcraft King Air	United States	Transport	-200 / -300	4
Pilatus PC-12	Switzerland	Transport	PC-12	1	Mostly VIP transport.
Cessna 185 Skywagon	United States	Light utility transport / observation		10	Withdrawal from service imminent.
CASA C-212 Aviocar	Spain	Transport	-200 / -300	4
CASA CN-235	Spain	Transport	CN-235	1
Boeing BBJ	United States	Presidential transport		1
Dassault Falcon 900	France	VIP transport		1
Dassault Falcon 50	France	VIP transport		2
Cessna 550 Citation	United States	VIP transport		2

Air Force Bases ⁷

• AFB Bloemspruit (Bloemfontein)
• AFB Durban (Durban;to be scaled down to an Air Force Station)
• AFB Hoedspruit (Hoedspruit)
• AFB Langebaanweg (Langebaan)
• AFB Makhado (Louis Trichardt)
• AFB Overberg (Bredasdorp)
• AFB Swartkop (Pretoria; an extension of AFB Waterkloof)
• AFB Waterkloof (Pretoria)
• AFB Ysterplaat (Cape Town)

Air Force Stations

• AFS Port Elizabeth

Squadrons

Note: Squadron composition as seen below is incomplete.

Reserves

Air Force Conventional Reserves

A pool of reserve posts were 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.

Air Force Territorial Reserves

Currently consists of nine squadrons of privately owned aircraft operated by reserve pilots on behalf of the SAAF.

These squadrons fulfill a very valuable role in light transport and observation, especially due to low direct operating costs.

Future Programmes

SAAB JAS 39 Gripen of the SAAF in Cape Town

The SAAF is planning to transition to a tactical air force, fully deployable internationally. This will have to happen within the constraints of a very limited budget.

• Project Adobe: Acquisition of a self-protection system for the Oryx. Project complete, June 2007.

• Project Assegaai: Development of a short-range air-to-air missile for the SAAF fighter stream. Being developed as a joint venture with Brazil by Denel Dynamics. Each country is said to have allocated R500 million to the missile development phase. It is not clear how much SA has spent additionally on the project between conceptualisation and 2006 when the JV was announced.

• Project Bandsman: Upgrade and replacement of airport fire tenders. Phase 1 to upgrade existing fire tenders was completed in 2006. Phase 2 for the acquisition of further fire tenders is in progress with a completion date for 2010.

• Project Continent: Acquisition of between 8-14 Airbus A400M Loadmaster future medium transports. Delivery was due from late 2010, but project now substantially delayed as a result of development problems.

• Project Deer: Acquisition of a stand-off radar jammer for the Denel Oryx medium helicopter. Project completed, June 2007.

• Project Design: Aircrew training simulator. Final acceptance of the system at 80 Air Navigation School. Operational Test and Evaluation scheduled to end late August 2008.

• Project Drummer: Midlife upgrade for the remaining Denel Oryx medium helicopters that came into service in 1989. About 38 out of 51 still fly.

• Project Ebb: C130 midlife upgrade. Scheduled completed March 2008

• Project Impose: Design, development and production of Denel CSH2A Rooivalk combat support helicopter and Mokopa heavy antitank guided missile. Development to be completed by 2009 after starting in 1984; R8.1bn spent on programme to 2007. Mokopa: R70m set aside to acquire missiles. R120m spent on development to FY2007, R4.6m to be spent in FY2007/8 and Denel to spend a further R98.25m.[4]

• Project Flange: Acquisition of 30 Agusta A109 light utility helicopters for R2.39 billion (2007 Treasury figure).

• Project Koiler: Acquisition of a day/night tactical intelligence (reconnaissance) system for the Cessna C208 light transport inclusive of a datalink. Acquisition of three sets of mission equipment and the modification of 11 aircraft have been contracted. Operational test and evaluation scheduled 2008. Release to service planned for late 2008.

• Project Maulstic: Acquisition of four maritime helicopters for Navy Project Sitron (the frigate acquisition). Four Agusta-Westland 300 SuperLynx delivered July 2007.

• Project Muggie: Replacement of a radio-switching network.

• Project Simunye: "A technology project for defining, testing and evaluating Joint Air Defence Command and Control (C2) systems concepts and related systems architectures".

• Project Ukhozi: Acquisition of an advanced lightweight fighter aircraft. Twenty-six Saab JAS39 Gripen C/D to be delivered by 2012 at a cost of R20 billion (2007 Treasury figure).

• Project Winchester: Acquisition of a lead-in fighter trainer. Twenty four BAE Systems Mk120 Hawk delivered by 2008 at a cost of R7.2 billion (2007 Treasury figure).

• Not registered as a project in 2007: Acquisition of a future medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV. Still under consideration by SAAF not yet registered as a Required Operational Capability.

• Not registered as a project in 2007: Acquisition of a future maritime patrol aircraft. Still under consideration by SAAF not yet registered as a Required Operational Capability.

• Not known: Leasing of three Saab Erieye multirole airborne surveillance systems housed on Embraer platforms. Said to be a work in progress with system to be in place by June 2010, kick-off for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

• Not known: Acquisition of the Diehl BGT IRIS-T short-range infrared air-to-air missile for the Gripen advanced lightweight fighter aircraft.

• Not known: Avionics upgrade for the Pilatus PC7 MkII (M) ab initio trainer. Thirty-five aircraft to be upgraded at a budgeted cost of R400 million.

• Not known: Acquisition of a low-cost, side-by-side, basic trainer. Twelve aircraft @R2-3m each, R24-36m for the fleet[7].

• Not known: "Pavement management system" (runway upgrades, six sub-projects).

• Not known: Reported military space satellite programme.

Aircraft fleet

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

Gallery of SAAF Aircraft

South African Air Force Hawk Mk.120

Denel CSH-2 Rooivalk flying at the Ysterplaat air show.

South African Air Force Memorial

The SAAF Memorial at Swartkop, Tshwane

The South African Air Force Memorial is located at Swartkop outside Pretoria. It contains an honour roll of SAAF personnel who have been killed on duty.

In addition to the main memorial site, there are also a number of smaller memorials.

• A memorial to the 389 Royal Air Force pilots who have died in South Africa during the Joint Training Scheme between 1939 and 1945
• An olive tree planted by the South African Korean War veterans in memory of the comrades they lost during that conflict.

References

See also

• South African Air Force Museum
• List of air forces
• List of squadrons of the South African Air Force
• Military history of South Africa

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

South African Air Force

• Official South African Air Force website
• Unofficial South African Air Force website

v • d • e South African Air Force Squadrons 2  · 15  · 15  · 16  · 17  · 19  · 21  · 22  · 28  · 35  · 41  · 44  · 60  · 68 Air School  · 80 Air Navigation School  · 85 Combat Flying School  · 87 Helicopter Flying School  · Central Flying School  · Test Flight and Development Centre Bases AFB Bloemspruit  · AFB Durban  · AFB Hoedspruit  · AFB Langebaanweg  · AFB Makhado  · AFB Overberg  · AFB Waterkloof  · AFB Ysterplaat Aircraft Gripen  · Hawk  · PC-7  · Oryx  · Rooivalk  · BK 117  · A109  · Super Lynx  · C-130 Hercules  · C-47 Dakota  · 208 Caravan  · King Air  · PC-12  · 185 Skywagon  · C-212 Aviocar  · CN-235  · 737 BBJ  · Falcon 900  · Falcon 50  · Citation II Related South African Air Force Museum  · Military history of South Africa Website: www.af.mil.za