The SAAF Forum

I was interviewed on NewzRoom Afrika last night and warned that the SANDF was getting into trouble with the new SADC SAMIDRC mission as it was not properly funded or equipped.

https://youtu.be/NDrSt9aB4G8?si=HchXJO_YmpZLH9Iv

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

I warned last night that there would be fatalities.

This morning we hear news of two dead and three injured.

Even worse, the heading refers to injuries, not to those that died! Disrespectful to those soldiers that died on foreign lands.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

I reference your video clip in the first post:-

At 6'26" the video shows a Kenya Air force 'Huey' coming in to land in complete disregard of a loose lying tarpaulin on the ground. Of course, as will happen, the tarpaulin is lifted into the air by the rotor downwash, only just missing the rotor blades. One does wonder at the quality of airmanship on display here . . .

Nicely summarised video content on your behalf.

The SANDF spokesman in the second video clip provided no clarity or anything newsworthy - and then even chuckling merrily away . . .

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

The US press has been reporting in the last hour that Goma has fallen to the Rebels, is there any truth to it?

Whilst Goma has pretty much fallen, South Africa/SAMIDRC/MONUSCO/FARDC still hold the airport.

SA also still holding out at Sake, but running out pf ammo and situation is fluid.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Sadly I think the troops have been thrown to the wolves by the Chief of the SANDF and the MOD.

All M23 has to do is let the SANDF run out of ammo and it's over... both at Sake and Goma airport. If Rwanda is backing M23, as said by UN etc, they would have learnt of our tactics and equipment serviceability levels in Northern Mozambique when deployed together.

I hear the troops at Goma airport came under mortar fire with casualties.

Also amazed that 1211 and 1235 Oryx got out of Goma to Beni even though un-serviceable. The Oryx should have been air freighted back late last year on the Silkway IL76 which brought the 3 Rooivalk back. Rooivalk would have helped immensely in this situation if the SAAF had any airworthy up there with rockets and cannon...

Nevermind the serviceability levels of Hawk and Gripen which is apparently terrible again but not of much use for this type conflict. A COIN type aircraft like a Super Tucano would work well.

I've seen 2 IL76 into Waterkloof in recent days EX-76005 Sapsan and EX-76020 New Way Cargo. Obviously flying for SAAF. EX-76020 ended up at Goma and hurriedly went to Bujumbura on Sunday.

ZS-CAS FA50 also did a tasking to Bujumbura via Lubumbashi as per FR24.

5 HAWK on FR24 heading to Waterkloof 259,260,263,267 and 273.

And at least 1 other HAWK not picking up on MLAT.