January (Unknown Dates)
1921
General Information: The first attempt to place national insignia on a South African aircraft was made when a South African roundel was painted onto an Avro 504K aircraft.
1925
General Information: The DH.9 aircraft were equipped with ‘hand-held’ cameras, the aircraft was then tasked to perform aerial survey missions.
1941
Aircraft Deliveries: The last batch of Fury aircraft, totalling 16 deliveries since October 1940, finally arrived and was introduced into South African Air Force service. It is assumed that all these aircraft were delivered to 1 Squadron, that had been reported to have received a batch of Furry (January 1941) and deployed with these aircraft to the Sudan (‘Azzoza’ and Port Sudan), the re-deployed to Teseney (Eritrea).
1942
General Information: New Acting Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Major Nash. 12 Squadron, re-equipped with Bostons.
Operations and Operational Statistics 15 Squadron flew its last operational missions using Maryland aircraft, prior to receiving new aircraft
Deployment Updates: 1 Squadron ceased its operational deployment at Derna (Libya) and re-deployed to Ghazala III (Egypt - ?). 2 Squadron deployed from Msus (Libya) to Martuba (Libya) then on to El Adem (Libya). 12 Squadron deployed from Landing Ground 24 to Landing Ground 99. 21 Squadron deployed from Bu Amud (Libya) to Landing Ground 89. 24 Squadron deployed from Landing Ground 130 to Landing Ground 21 and then to Kasfareet (Egypt). 60 Squadron deployed to Heliopolis Airbase (Cairo; Egypt) from Tmimi (Libya).
1943
General Information: New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Lt Col Kotze. 5 Squadron ceased its flight operations using Curtiss Tomahawk Mk IIBs and received Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk IIIs. 17 Squadron received Bristol Blenheim Mk V aircraft.
Operations and Operational Statistics: The operational deployment of South African Air Force units to various World War 2 Theatres of Operations continued, with 15 Squadron being deployed from the Union to Cyprus, to be utilized to conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare Missions in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations.
Deployment Updates: 1 Squadron ceased operations at El Chel (Libya), re-deployed to Hamraiet Main (Libya) and then on to Wadi Siru (assumed to be the Siru in the Sudan). 2 Squadron deployed from Martuba to Belandah (Libya) to Hamraiet Main (Libya) and finally to Darragh East 5 Squadron deployed from Antelat (Libya) to Belandah (Libya) to Hamraiet (Libya) and finally to Bir Darragh. 12 Squadron re-deployed from Benina Airfield (Libya) to (Alem el) Gezina (Libya). 17 Squadron deployed to Little Aden. 21 Squadron deployed from Landing Ground 98 to El Chel/Gezina (Libya). 24 Squadron deployed from Benina Airfield (Libya) to (Alem el) Gezina (Libya). 60 Squadron deployed from Benina Airfield (Libya) to Marble Arch (Libya) to Darragh.
1944
General Information: New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Lt Col Bamby DFC. 12 Squadron’s Boston aircraft were replaced with Marauder Mk IIs.
1945
General Information: South African Air Force officers continued to serve in senior posts in the Royal Air Force. The following Royal Air Force operational squadrons were commanded by South Africans during 1945; namely: 73 Squadron, 92 Squadron, 93 Squadron, 132 Squadron, 208 Squadron, 229 Squadron, No 10 Ferry Unit, No 4 Air Defence Unit, 205 Group and 324 Wing. All remaining 27 Squadron Ventura aircraft were returned to the Union of South Africa from Egypt after completing their last ‘in theatre’ operations 28 Squadron was equipped with Anson aircraft.
Operations and Operational Statistics: 60 Squadron’s Tactical Reconnaissance missions focussed in Oil Refineries and the Inner Infantry Defence Lines of the European Fortress and lines of Communication
Deployment Updates: 17 Squadron deployed from Rosignano Airfield (Italy) to Algiers (Algeria). 29 Squadron was based at M’tubatuba (Natal).
1963
General Information: 41 Squadron was re-established at Grand Central Airport and equipped with the newly acquired C-185 Skywagons; reports also indicated that a number of Auster aircraft were on strength too. The primary role of the reinstated 41 Squadron was to conduct light utility and reconnaissance missions. The South African Air Force placed an order for 16 Buccaneer aircraft from the United Kingdom, the aircraft were designated ‘S.Mk-50’. Therefore, In January 1963, even before the S.2 version entered Royal Air Force squadron service, South Africa had purchased 16 Spey-powered Buccaneers. The aircraft order was part of the "Simonstown Agreement", in which the United Kingdom obtained use of the Simonstown Naval Base in South Africa in exchange for maritime weapons. The South African Air Force required the Buccaneer to fulfil the anti-shipping strike mission role.
1967
Deployment Updates: 1 Squadron commenced its re-location to Air Force Base Pietersburg from Air Force Base Waterkloof. Equipped with Canadair CL-13B Sabres, 1 Squadron became first operational fighter squadron to be deployed to Pietersburg.
1968
General Information: The Multi-Engine Conversion Unit was established to take responsibility for all multi-engine aircraft training in the South African Air Force.
1970
General Information: It was reported that a ‘Mr Jackal’, a known international arms dealer, approached South Africa on behalf of the French aircraft manufacturer ‘’, to offer the sale of aircraft (most likely the new Mirage F-1 series), to the South African Air Force.
1973
Deployment Updates: 4 Squadron was relocated to Lanseria airport, where it continued operations until the unit’s final closure in the mid 1980’s.
1974
Deployment Updates: 11 Squadron was re-established at Air Force Base Potchefstroom and equipped with the C-185’s previously attached to 41 Squadron.
1975
General Information: It was reported that Israel Defence Force/Air Force officials visited South Africa to explore methods of gaining access to the country’s largely untapped defence market.
1976
General Information: South African Defence Force forces deployed in Angola withdrew after the conduct of Ops Savannah.
1985
General Information: The Project (CARVER) Study Report as well as the Acquisition Study to commence a project to procure an interim fighter was submitted for approval. This project was aimed at delivering an interim fighter before the so-called ‘CAVA’ fighter would be introduced into South African Air Force service. This ‘interim’ Programme acquired the Cheetah series of fighters, which were eventually replaced not by ‘CAVA’ but the JAS-39 C/D Gripen Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft
Deployment Updates: 41 Squadron was relocated to Air Force Base Zwartkop from Lanseria.
1986
General Information: It was estimated that the size of the Cuban Expeditionary Force totalled 45,000 troops in Angola.
1990
General Information: The year heralded the start of the Air Force’s rationalization programme following the cessation of hostilities in South West Africa/Namibia and the subsequent withdrawal of South African Defence Force units deployed in South West Africa/Namibia. The Initial plans announced early in 1990 by the Chief of the Air Force were as follows: Unit Closures: 3 Squadron (Mirage F-1CZ – service withdrawal), 4 Squadron (Impala Mk 1 and Mk 2), 5 Squadron (Impala Mk 1 and Mk 2), 10 Squadron (Gharra service withdrawal, assigned Seeker aircraft to Kentron UAV to maintain capability and operated as ‘service’ to SAAF), 12 Squadron (Canberra - service withdrawal), 16 Squadron (Alouette III), 24 Squadron (Buccaneer - service withdrawal), 25 Squadron (C47 Dakota - service withdrawal), 27 Squadron (Albatross - service withdrawal), 30 Squadron (Puma), 31 Squadron (Puma and Alouette III), 42 Squadron (Bosbok - service withdrawal), 107 Squadron (various) and 114 Squadron (various). Base Closure: Air Force Base Port Elizabeth, together with 16 Squadron
1997
General Information: No 1 Squadron (Royal Air Force) staff members visited 1 Squadron (South African Air Force) at Air Force Base Hoedspruit to engage in exploratory discussions regarding a possible deployment of 1 Squadron (Royal Air Force) Harrier aircraft to Hoedspruit for cooperative training and exercises. Unfortunately the deployment never materialized. 1 Squadron RAF operated Harrier GR.9 aircraft.
1999
Deployment Updates: All the C-185 aircraft moved from Air Force Base Zwartkop to Air Force Base Waterkloof, and allocated to 44 Squadron as ‘Bravo-Flight’. 16 Squadron was re-activated at Air Force Base Bloemspruit in anticipation of receiving the new Atlas AH2A Rooivalk helicopters at a future date.
2009
General Information: Colonel Cowan appointed as the new Officer Commanding Air Force Base Ysterplaat.
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