Air Force Chief Reappointed
Date: 4 October 2011
By Dean Wingrin
The term of office of the Chief of the South African Air Force has been extended for the second time.
Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano was first appointed as Chief of the Airforce (CAF) on 1 March 2005.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu announced numerous appointments and/or promotions of senior SANDF officers on 2 October 2011.
Gagiano joined the SAAF in 1968 and qualified as a pilot on the Atlas Impala in December 1969. During his career he flew the Harvard, Pilatus PC 7, Vampire, F86 Sabre, Mirage III, F1CZ, as well as the Cheetah D and E aircraft. He was also military attaché to Israel from 1991 to January 1994.
Prior to his appoint as CAF in 2005, Gagiano was Chief Director Air Policy and Plans, responsible for Air Force policy, capabilities, strategy and resource allocation.
Since the mid-1970’s, the average term of office for Airforce Chiefs was four years and Gaginao was due to retire in October 2008. However, his term of office was extended in November 2008.
At the time of his first extension, Gagiano confirmed that he had been asked to stay on for an undetermined period. “It is an open-ended contract,” he said, “But I'll have to retire when I reach 60, which will be in 2011.”
From the most recent announcement, it appears the Gagiano will have to wait a little while longer before retiring.
In the same announcement, Sisulu noted that Major General Gerald Malinga had been appointed as Deputy Chief of the Airforce. He was previously General Officer Commanding (GOC) Air Command.
The Unofficial SAAF Website congratulates both Officers in their (re) appointments.
