Goodbye Alouette III!
Date: 31 March 2007
After 45 years of service, the verable Alouette III finally bowed out of service with the SAAF without any further ceremony.
A formal ceremony was held at 87 Helicopter flying School at AFB Bloemspruit on 30 June 2006 to mark the withdrawal of the Alouette III, which first entered service in the SAAF in 1962. However, a further three helicopters were kept flying with 22 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat, pending the delivery of the new Super Lynx maritime helicopter. However, the Alouette III budget expired on 31 March, meaning that no further funds are available to keep the Alouette IIIs airworthy.
The first Super Lynx is due to arrive in South Africa in late May 2007.
