South African Air Force

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the Air Force of South Africa. Known in Afrikaans as the Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag, it is the second oldest independent Air Force in the world (after the Royal Air Force (RAF)).

History of the SAAF

The origin of the South African Air Force can be traced back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was formed. This formation included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was formed as part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF).

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

On 1 February 1920 the South African Air Force was established with Col. Pierre van Ryneveld as the Director Air Services.

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.

Despite these 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).

During the war, 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.

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

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.

During the rest of the twentieth century, the SAAF took part in the various "border wars" that were fought by South Africa.

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

SAAF order of battle

(The list below uses the following format: squadron number, base, type of aircraft flown.)

• 2 Sqn, Louis Trichardt, Atlas Cheetah C/D.
• 15 Sqn, Durban, Atlas Oryx, BK117.
• 15 Sqn - C Flight, Port Elizabeth, BK117.
• 16 Sqn, Bloemspruit, Rooivalk.
• 17 Sqn, Swartkop, Atlas Oryx, Alouette III.
• 19 Sqn, Hoedspruit, Atlas Oryx, Alouette III.
• 21 Sqn, Waterkloof, Boeing BBJ, Cessna Citation 550, Cessna Citation 551, Falcon 50, Falcon 900A.
• 22 Sqn, Ysterplaat, Atlas Oryx, Alouette III.
• 28 Sqn, Waterkloof, C-130B/BZ/F Hercules.
• 35 Sqn, Ysterplaat, C-47TP.
• 41 Sqn, Waterkloof, Cessna 208 Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, King Air 200/300.
• 44 Sqn, Waterkloof, CASA 212-200/-300, CN235, Cessna 185.
• 60 Sqn, Waterkloof, Boeing 707.
• 85 Combat Flying School, Hoedspruit, Atlas Impala MkI/II.
• 87 Helicopter Flying School, Bloemspruit, Atlas Oryx, Alouette III, BK117.
• Central Flying School, Langebaanweg, PC-7 Mk II Astra.
• Test Flight and Development Centre, Overberg, various aircraft on test.
• SAAF Museum Flight, Swartkop/Ysterplaat/Port Elizabeth, various historical aircraft including Dakota, Mustang, Harvard, Shackleton, Sabre, Vampire, Mirage III and Allouette II.