SAAF shows what it is capable of
Date: 19 May 2008
Report and photographs by Dean Wingrin
The SAAF held an Air Capability Demonstration at the Roodewal Weapons Range on Thursday 15 May 2008, using the occasion to show off its capabilities before invited guests and dignitaries.
With the recent retirement of the Cheetah, the demonstration concentrated on Peace Support and Peace Enforcement scenarios. However, the lack of afterburner and brute thrust noise did not detract from an impressive display of coordination and firepower. In fact, a representative of every helicopter in the SAAF inventory (except the Super Lynx) was present.
The Roodewal Weapons Range is situated in the Northern Province, roughly halfway between Polokwane (previously Pietersburg) and AFB Makhado, near the town of Louis Trichardt. As such, it is conveniently situated for use by the new Hawk and soon to arrive Gripen. A narrow gravel runway is available for use by light transport aircraft and helicopters.
After a welcome address by the Chief of the Airforce, Lt. Gen. Carlo Gagiano, Col. Chris Delport, OC of AFB Makhado, gave a presentation on Air Power.
What followed was 90 minutes of incredible noise caused by the live firing of missiles, rockets, mortars and machine gun fire, with the continuous clatter of rotor blades overhead.
The demonstration commenced with a Peace Support scenario. This involved a group of refugees attracting the attention of Oryx helicopters, while another group of ‘terrorists' fired on the helicopters with motars and Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). The medical evacuation, food resupply and aerial fire fighting involved Oryx, BK117 and A109 helicopters, with a CASA 212 performing a cargo drop.
The Peace Support scenario led into a Peace Enforcement exercise, which included the insertion of pathfinders (jumping out of a C208 Caravan at altitude), tactical aerial reconnaissance (two high flying Hawks in order to prevent a mid-air interception of the parachutists!), escort of medium transport helicopters (Rooivalk), Gecko vehicle insertion for the Patrol Group (Oryx), covering fire by 81mm motors and the hot extraction of Patrol Group (Oryx). An Aviation Assault scenario for full peace enforcement involved the Rooivalk providing cover (including tree-top covering fire) for the three A109 and a BK117 helicopters. This phase covered the area of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR).
The Combat Search and Rescue scenario involved the simulated shoot down of an A109. The CSAR support arrived on scene for the rescue via Oryx, with the ever-present Rooivalk providing cover fire, with the BK117 providing support.
The Air Capability Demonstration then reached a climax with the bombardment of targets with the 81mm mortars of 9 SA Infantry (9 SAI) and covering gunfire. A combat patrol of four Hawks flew high overhead, while three Rooivalk and the A109s provided close air support for the Aviation Assault Element ingression. The Hawks bombed targets on the ground with live 125kg bombs, while the spectacle of the day was undoubtedly the simultaneous firing of 70mm FFAR rockets from three Rooivalks!
The demonstration concluded with a flypast of four Hawks.
SAAF units that participated included 15, 16, 19 and 41 Squadrons, 85 Combat Flying School and the Electronic Warfare Centre who provided the SAM launchers. The SA Army was represented by 44 Parachute Regiment and 9 SAI. The Joint Operations Division was represented by 5 Special Forces Regiment, while the Joint Support Division Office contributed 101 Air Supply Unit.
The SAAF has to be congratulated for organising a complicated demonstration in a safe and professional manner. While the fast-jet participants were missed, the Gripen will be a welcome addition next year. The SAAF showed that it is capable of performing the various missions that it may be called upon to perform within the African peacekeeping context. It would be interesting to see if the same support is capable of being delivered thousands of kilometres from home bases.
The Unofficial SAAF website would like to thank Lt. Gen Gagiano and his staff for granting me the opportunity to attend the Air Capability Demonstration and for the hospitality provided.
