Answers for the Airforce

The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:

A series of cooperation agreements with foreign air forces, together with a new salary structure will hopefully

bring new hope to stem the tide of resignations from the airforce.

Chief of the SAAF, Lt. Gen. Carlo Gagiano, said during a parade to celebrate the 87th anniversary of the SAAF in

Centurion yesterday that it brought sorrow when thinking back about what has happened.

"The past is important, but what is about to happen is even more important.

Sometimes, it feels as if South African would rather fight amongst each other, rather than stand together against a foreign threat.

It is easier for local commentators to complain about manpower which cannot operate at the same level, than to hold hands."

According to Gagiano, his only option in the current situation is to continue to employ top personnel, train them to the highest standard and to look after them.

"The Airforce has always proved that it works best in a crisis situation."

As part of the Airforces outreach to other African states, as well as to enhance knowledge sharing, exchange programs for airforce members have already been undertaken with Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The SAAF and the Chilean airforce have already agreed to an exchange program involving pilots, instructors and other specialists.

Negotiations with the British Royal Air Force to use flying instructors were started last year.

Even with these challenges, the airforce enjoyed an accident free 2006.

In this period, 64 pilots, navigators, reserve force members, flight engineers, loadmasters and electronic warfare operators completed their training in December.

"Good progress is being made to reflect the countries demographics in that 62% of the recipients were Black."

It took 7 000 flight hours to train the pilots, requiring the highest dedication from the instructors and engineers to complete the courses in time.

The shortage of pilots was being filled by various pilots who joined the Reserve Force after resigning from the Airforce.

The introduction of the Airforces new aircraft was also progressing well. Operational evaluation of the Gripen fighter is underway, while flight and technical training on the Hawk lead-in-fighter-trainer and the Agusta helicopter had a few teething problems.

According to Gagiano, an incentive scheme for technical personnel was approved in December, while their motivation still needed to be increased.

"The Airforce Command Board will continue to strive to create an atmosphere in which its people can be happy and can achieve."