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01 April1918General InformationJ. Bell, a South African serving in the Royal Flying Corps Force, shot-down a German Fokker DR1, whilst flying a Sopwith Camel. This was his 14th confirmed kill.
1920General InformationSamuel M. Kinkead, a South African, serving in the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force was awarded the DSO.
1921General InformationThe establishment of the Central Photographic Establishment, can be traced back to this day.
1939
General InformationNo 3 Fighter-Bomber Squadron was re-established at Waterkloof.
Aircraft DeliveriesHart 1 / Serial(s): 380-385 and 387.
1940Aircraft DeliveriesTiger Moth: 539 to 550 (shipment date to Union of SA).
1941Operations and StatisticsFollowing the Allied victory at Keren, operations continued eastward to Asmara, which was then declared an ‘open town’ too.
Reports indicate that Ju-52, serial 665 remained operational after being shot up ‘badly’ by enemy fighters. Furthermore, 51 Flight was granted permission to perform 120-hour services at Khartoum.
Sorties51 Flight. A Ju-52 conducted a ferry flight from Khartoum to Nairobi
Accidents and Losses
1 Squadron reported the loss of a Hurricane (V7668), after it crashed into a telephone pole after take-off, fatally injuring the pilot.
1942Accidents and LossesA Curtiss Tomahawk (AN267) allocated to 5 Squadron crashed due to engine failure after take-off.
1945Accidents and LossesA Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX (MJ875) belonging to 7 Squadron was shot down by enemy ground fire, the pilot was fatally wounded.
25 Squadron reported the loss of a B-26 Marauder (HD669), after the crew abandoned the aircraft over the sea due to an in-flight engine fire.
1951General InformationThe Air Force’s ‘Airfield Maintenance Unit’ was split into two new units, namely 100 Airfield Maintenance Squadron and 105 Airfield Maintenance Squadron, respectively based at Swartkop and Ysterplaat.
1965General InformationNew Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Eagar DFC.
1974Border War Info NoteA cabinet decision in South Africa formalized a decision that the South African Defence Force would take-over responsibility for Counter-Insurgency Operations in the border/operational area (South West Africa/Angola Border), leaving the police to concentrate on their normal duties. During the second half of 1973, the South African Defence Force had already started to position and ramp-up its capabilities in South West Africa in anticipation of taking over this responsibility from the Police. The South African Defence Force responsibilities therefore commenced on 1 April 1974. It would take another 25 years for the initiation of the United Nations Resolution 435 to be implemented, co-incidentally Res 435 was implemented with the arrival of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG) in March 1989. UNTAG commenced operations on 1 April 1989.
1980General InformationAir Force Station Durban was officially re-named Air Force Base Durban.
1989SortiesThe Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 159 at Hopefield – Freedom of City.
1993General InformationMobile Radar Group (MRG) and Air Defence Artillery Group (ADAG) merged and thereby established a new unit, namely Airspace Control Unit.
1999General Information8 Air Servicing Unit was established at Langebaanweg.
2000SortiesThe Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating PC-7 Mk II) conducted show number 356 at the Military Academy.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating PC-7 Mk II) conducted show number 357 at Langebaanweg.
2003Accidents and LossesA 2 Squadron Cheetah C (349), was written-off following an accident. The pilot Major A. Sera safely ejected.
2011General InformationThe South African Air Force announced that a contract had been finalized to lease two Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft to supplement the current fleet of aircraft at 21 Squadron. It was soon hereafter announced as ‘cancelled’.
2012General InformationIt was announced that ‘Swartkop’ will be renamed ‘AFB Zwartkop’. The matter was awaiting approval.