Air Force Day Parade
Date: 30 January 2009
By Dean Wingrin
The annual Air Force Day Parade was held today at the Swartkop airfield near Pretoria. However, it was a day more fitting for ducks than flying machines!
The Parade is held on or as close to 1 February, the day the SAAF was established in February 1920. On this day, the Prestige Awards, as well as the Sword of Peace, are awarded. The aim of the SAAF annual awards competition is to give recognition to those SAAF units and personnel who have achieved the best results within a given period.
The SAAF also took the opportunity to follow the same pattern as for 2008, i.e. to have both a formal parade, fly pasts and an air capability demonstration included, as well as providing for the general public to view the proceedings. The flypasts and demonstrations were sure to bring in the crowds ... provided the weather played the game! The decision to go ahead with the full, outdoors Parade was made early in the morning when it was forcast that the weather should hold out until lunchtime.
After the arrival of the Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano and the General Salute, the mass fly-past commenced with a flypast by the Silver Falcons, followed by three Oryx, each bearing the Airforce flag.
Next came an impressive helicopter formation, consisting of four Oryx and three Bk-117s, flanked by two Rooivlak and led by a Super Lynx. This was the first time the Super Lynx, based at AFB Ysterplaat, has been seen in Gauteng. They were closely followed by eight Agusta A-109s.
The final mass flypast consisted of 5 C-208 Caravans and the PC-12.
The Parade continued with the inspection of the ceremonial wing and march past in column of flights, followed by the General Salute. However, the dark clouds drifting over the airfield started to make it presence known and it started to drizzle lightly.
The awards were then presented, during which participants and guests alike were thoroughly drenched. In the pouring rain, Lt. Gen Gagiano commenced his speech.
Gagiano stated that he was pleased with the achievements of the Air force during 2008.
He highlighted the success of the African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition held at AFB Ysterplaat and the wings parade in December during which 38 aircrew received their flying badges.
Gagiano listed the current status of the new aircraft acqusitions. He said that "full system ownership of our 24 Hawk aircraft will be achieved in June 2009. At present there are 30 pilots and navigators crewing Hawks at 85 CFS, one of whom is a RAF exchange instructor".
"To date, one more Gripen has been added to the four which flew at the unveiling ceremony at AFB Ysterplaat and four more are to be delivered by August 2009. Therafter, deliveries of the 17 singleseater aircraft will commence."
On the status of the Super Lynx, Gagiano said: "Our four Super Lynx helicopters have been successfully integrated into the SAAF and flight trials in conjunction with the SA Navy are at quite an advanced stage."
As for the troubled A400M transport aircraft on order by the SAAF, Gagiano said that the delivery of these aircraft could be delayed by as much as four years.
"This delay may oblige the SAAF to reconsider its perceptions about the future of the C-130 aircraft. The prognosis with regard to the future of their airframes and wings is favourable" Gagiano said.
Work on upgrading the runway and other facilities at AFB Waterkloof is on schedule, but it may take another two to three years to complete the entire project.
Activities to be undertaken by the SAAF during 2009 include Exercise Shield to practice command and control in the Gauteng region for the Soccer World Cup, the parliamentary elections, the inauguration of the upcoming President and the FIFA Confederations Cup. In addition, Exercise Golfinho will be held in September, in order to prepare the SADC Brigade for multidimensional peace support operations.
Gagiano once again stated that the Air force would not participate in air shows this year. "The Air force will rather make a concerted effort to support its main clients such as the President and other VIPs, as well as other Services and Divisions, in their force preparation efforts and exercises.
Gagiano stated that a major disappointment of 2008 was the departure of 280 technical members. He said that he expected this trend to continue, but the SAAF is collaborating with the aviation industry to ensure that aviation in South Africa is vibrant and growing.
To his credit, Lt. Gen Gagiano refused an offer to stand under an umbrella during his speech, thus joining the sodden ranks of his fellow Air Force members on parade.
Due to the rain, Gagiano cancelled the air Capability Demonstation which was to follow. Although understandable, this was a major disappointment to many members of the public. Those lucky few who managed to see the practice day saw the Gripen display in Gauteng for the first time.
Prestige Awards
The Air Force Prestige Unit of the year for 2008 went to 2 Air Servicing Unit, headquartered at AFB Langebaanweg.
15 Squadron of AFB Durban was awarded the Air Force Sword of Peace, while the Silver went to 22 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat) and Bronze to 17 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof).
Other Awards where:
The South African Air Force Aviation Safety Award:
Gold went to 35 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat), Silver went to 22 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat) and Bronze went to 80 Air NavigationSchool (AFB Ysterplaat).
The Royal Air Force Training Award:
Gold went to 6 Air Servicing Unit (AFB Bloemspruit), Silver went to 87 Helicopter Flying School (AFB Bloemspruit), and Bronze went to Central Flying School (AFB Langebaanweg).
Fire & Rescue Services of the Year:
Gold went to AFB Langebaanweg, Silver to AFB Ysterplaat and Bronze to AFB Overberg.
Air Force Protection Squadron of the Year:
Gold went to 525 Squadron (AFB Overberg) and Silver to 502 Squadron (68 Air School) and Bronze to 505 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat).
Air Force Reserve Squadron of the Year:
Gold went to 107 Squadron (AFB Bloemspruit), Silver to 102 Squadron (AFB Bloemspruit) and Bronze to 111 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof).
Air Force Support Unit of the Year:
Gold went to Air Force Headquarters Unit and Silver to Air Publication Service Centre (AFB Waterkloof).
Air Force Air Servicing Unit of the Year:
Gold went to 2 ASU (AFB Langebaanweg), Silver to 6 ASU (AFB Bloemspruit) and Bronze to 2 ASU (Detached AFB Ysterplaat).
Air Command Directorate of the Year:
Gold went to Directorate Combat Systems, Silver to Directorate Helicopter Systems and Bronze to Directorate Technical Support Services.
Air Force Operational Support Unit of the Year:
Gold went ot Lowveld Airspace Control Sector (AFB Hoedspruit) and Silver to Bushveld Airspace Control Sector (Air Command).
Air Force Training Unit of the Year:
Gold went to 80 Air Navigation School (AFB Ysterplaat), Silver to SAAF College and Bronze to Air Force Command and Control School (AFB Hoedspruit).
Air Force Permanent Flying Unit of the Year:
Gold went to 15 Squadron (AFB Durban), Silver to 28 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof) and Bronze to 87 Helicopter Flying School (AFB Bloemspruit)
Air Force Base of the Year:
Gold went to AFB Durban, Silver to AFB Ysterplaat and Bronze to AFB Langebaanweg.
Safety, Health, Environment, Risk & Quality Award:
Gold went to AFB Makhado, Silver to AFB Overberg and Bronze to 41 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof).
