Department of Defence (DoD) Annual Report for 2003/04 released

Herewith some selected SAAF related information I've extracted from the Department of Defence Annual Report for 2003/04, which was submitted to the parliamentary Defence Portfolio Committee on 12 October 2004.

Annual Turnover Rates by Critical Occupation for the Period 01 April 2003 to 31 March 2004

Performance Report: Core divisional objectives

Acquisition Service
- The objectives of the project on the upgrading of C47 Dakota aircraft to improve the maritime and transport capabilities of the South African Air Force were partly achieved. This was due to minor delays that were beyond the control of the project. Similarly, the projects on upgrading airport firefighting vehicles and the C-130 Hercules Air Transport fleet of aircraft were delayed.
- The objectives of modifying the electronic warfare system of the Oryx helicopter were achieved as planned.
- The recommissioning of the Rooivalk was approved in December 2003. Bridging finance was made available during the FY2003/04. Finance for the recommissioning phase of the Rooivalk was still being negotiated in order to ensure that joint operations for the Rooivalk will take place within approved timescales.
- The project to acquire the Gripen Advanced Light Fighters progressed well during the year. SAAB/BAE are well ahead on their Defence Industrial Participation commitments. The skills and technology transfer programme has seen a SAAF engineer spend a considerable length of time in Sweden working at SAAB on the Gripen project. A SAAF test pilot has now replaced the Denel Aviation test pilot at SAAB and he will participate in the test programme of the Gripen EBS version for a year. A Design and Development Centre has also been established at Denel aviation.

Joint and Multinational Exercises

Golden Eagle
09 - 20 June 2003
Louis Trichardt, Limpopo/Hoedspruit, Mpumalanga
To determine and evaluate the SA Air Force's current operational capability in a joint environment.

SAAF CPX
16 - 27 February 2004
Air Force Command Post, Pretoria, Gauteng
SAAF to determine procedures and conduct planning for participation on a joint environmental exercise during Exercise INDLOVU.

Rainbow Trek
31 March 2003 - 11 April 2003
Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
To exercise Peacekeeping/Peace Enforcement Exercises with the FASZOI forces.

Blue Angel
14 - 24 August 2003
Zambia
To enhance SADC planning and execution capabilities in humanitarian-relief operations as well as disaster relief operations.

Flintlock
25 June - 02 August 2003
Bloemfontein, Free State
To conduct a multinational airborne-focussed field exercise as an element of a peace-support operation.

Laurel
03 - 09 November 2003
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and Simon's Town, Western Cape
To exercise interoperability between the USA Navy and the SANDF.

Air Defence Annual Review

During the year the SA Air Force flew a total of 35 472 hours and 3 384 force employment missions in service of the country.

An outstanding achievement for the year was the return to regular operational service of the Boeing 707 aircraft system. This was made possible by National Treasury's approval to have all funds from flights against repayment returned to the SA Air Force's operating budget. The Boeing 707 system is now able to sustain its operations with only a minimal input from the SA Air Force's budget allocation.

Eight Regular Force pilots, one Air Force Reserve pilot, eight flight engineers, two electronic warfare operators, two loadmasters, one flight attendant, and nine air photographers received their wings from the Chief of the Air Force at a wings parade held at Air Force Base Langebaanweg in December 2003.

During the year flying instructors, who were trained in the United States of America and Algeria, returned to South Africa. This has enhanced the number of Black flying instructors at Central Flying School Langebaanweg considerably.

Several feasibility studies were completed and their recommendations implemented. Most notable were the relocation of the Command and Control School from Air Force Base Waterkloof to Air Force Base Hoedspruit, and the relocation of 19 qsuadron from Air Force Base Makhado to Air Force Base Hoedspruit. In addition, certain key activities were initiated to execute Vision 2012, such as the renaming of Air Force Base Louis Trichardt to Air Force Base Makhado; ministerial authority to dispose of several obsolete main systems; ministerial authority for several structural changes, such as the split between Test Flight and Development Centre and its host base, Air Force Base Overberg; the creation of several implementation plans and supporting strategies; and renewed focus on the aviation awareness programme.

Except for air refuelling competency all stated objectives for the supersonic fighter capability were achieved. Inclement weather and limited availability of the Boeing 707, due to more urgent operational taskings by Joint Operations, were the main reasons for failing to achieve air-to-air refuelling competence at 2 Squadron. The engine standardisation programme was completed during the reporting year, allowing for the total phasing out of the ATAR 09C engine system. This will lead to substantial future savings on this expensive support component. Air-borne target designation for precision guided munitions and night weapons delivery were also reactivated during 2003, and successfully demonstrated at the Air Capability demonstration in September 2003.

Combat Capability.
The engine upgrade of the Cheetah D restricted the flying potential of the training capability, impeding the training curriculum of three pilots transferred in from 85 Combat Flying School. The primary focus of the unit was to regain combat proficiency in their core allocated missions. Apart from excellent performance in aerial reconnaissance, the use of the cockpit laser designator for precision bomb delivery was reactivated and demonstrated during the Air Capability Demonstration in September 2003. Basic night weapons delivery was also reintroduced. One pilot remains seconded to the Royal Air Force, while another operational
pilot is serving on the Gripen Project Team. The squadron, however, stands to gain significantly with the services of the Officer Commanding Air Force Base Makhado, returning to active flying duty. Two pilots are to commence conversion training in April 2004.

Heavy Transport/Mission-support Capability
The year saw 60 Squadron (Boeing 707) returning to the formal force design. The launch of formal system integrity recovery was ensured because of a transfer of Rm31 from the capital account. Based on an approved funding strategy, the National Treasury authorised the recovery of income from flights against repayment to ensure the retention of a viable heavy transport capability
with a collateral mission support capability. This approach required a minimal allocation from the operating budget to fund essential training and squadron operating costs only. Unparalleled edication from the limited technical and operational personnel thus ensured that with only two crews, almost 850 flying hours were generated with a single aircraft. Hence the return to service of a second aircraft currently in deeper-level maintenance at South African Airways Technical and the allocation of additional technical personnel are eagerly awaited to enhance the flying potential of the unit.

Air Transport and Maritime Capability
During the year only two of the nine students that qualified at the Celtral Flying School were accepted at 44 Squadron. The majority of the students were directed towards careers in the Strategic Defence Package aircraft in order to achieve the highest possible level of representativity on these aircraft. These circumstances forced a change in the business plan of 44 Squadron, esulting in under-utilisation of the Cessna 185 allocated hours. 35 Squadron is still hampered by the slow progress of the upgrade programme. The result was that the Operational Test and Evaluation programme could not be completed to release these aircraft for service, which also resulted in the non-utilisation of flying hours. The Casa aircraft experienced serviceability problems during the year and were underutilised.

Helicopter Capability
Although no lives were lost, one Oryx and one BK117, were destroyed whilst one BK117 was seriously damaged. 19 Squadron was successfully relocated from Air Force Base Makhado to Air Force Base Hoedspruit.

Medium Transport Helicopter Capability
a request from the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to the Minister of Defence, to re-establish support for the Antarctic, a support concept was formulated in which there would be financial risk-sharing between both departments, as well as proactive financial support from the De-partment of Environmental Affairs and Tour-ism. The helicopter support to that department resumed in September 2003 when the civilian contract that they had been utilising expired.

Operational Support and Intelligence Capability
Seeker 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. In March 2003, during a deployment at Air Force Base verberg, the Seeker 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System was declared unsafe for any further operational deployments until extensive repairs and upgrades were completed. After careful consideration of the required work intensity, and finances required to guarantee an effective baseline, it was concluded that the system could not be brought back in service. An agreement was reached with Joint Operations to initiate the process of formally withdrawing the system from service. An audit in conjunction with Kentron was done, and the SA Air Force is currently in the process of disposing of the system.

Base Support Systems Capability
Operational Infrastructure. Funds were allocated for the upgrade of Air Force Base Langebaanweg's secondary runway and taxi strips during 2003. The main runway will be completed during 2004. An amount of Rm15 was received from the Department of Public Works to commence with critical runway maintenance at Air Force Base Waterkloof. The work started during February 2004, and must be completed before Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004 starts in September 2004. Critical maintenance must still be conducted after the exhibition. Consultant reports have indicated that Air Force Base Makhado and Air Force Base Bloemspruit's runway and taxi strips will have to be upgraded as a matter of urgency. It is envisaged that the repair work required on Air Force Base Ysterplaat's runway and runway lighting systems could be done in conjunction with an Alternate Service Delivery programme.