General Officer Commanding Says Farewell
Date: 15 November 2006
Article by J.P. van Vuuren
Major General Frans J. Labuschagne SM, MMM who bid the SA Air Force farewell on 15 November 2006 at the Air Force Gymnasium in Valhalla. He said that he was satisfied with his career and his achievements and that he felt he contributed to the successes of the SA Air Force. Although he is sad to leave, he now looks forward to his retirement and he is ready for any new challenges in the future.
The farewell parade saw Maj Gen Labuschagne also being honored by having his son Maj Jaco Labuschagne and daughter-in-law Capt Catherine Labuschagne performing as his PA's on parade. During an emotional occasion where the SAAF Band and members on parade gave their best performance the highlight must surely have been when three Hawk fighter jets split formation overhead at the end of the proceedings.
Maj Gen Labuschagne handed over his command as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Air Command at the SAAF Headquarters to Maj Gen M.M.M. Mangethe (CLS, MMS, MMM, MMB). Maj Gen Mangethe served in the ANC's armed wing, uMkhonto We Sizwe from 1976 to 1994. During 1977 to 1979 he did his flying in Nigeria and thereafter his military flying in the Ethiopian Air Force. Maj Gen Mangethe served as Chief Director Air Policy and Plans since 1 March 2005. Maj Gen Mangethe will be the first black general serving as the GOC of Air Command.
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