NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
7 January 2025
South African delegation visits Embraer as interest remains high in its C-390 transport
General
South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation that was recently given a tour of Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
27 December 2024
New SAAF Deputy Chief
General
Come Wednesday 1 January Major General Lancelot Mathebula will add the post of SA Air Force (SAAF) Deputy Chief to his current duties as project leader of the fledgling SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command.
22 December 2024
SA Air Force clips wings of local cadets training in Cuba
General
Air force cadets will no longer be trained in Cuba after the SA Air Force (SAAF) officially terminated its agreement with the government of that country.
10 December 2024
A year’s worth of work ahead to make three Rooivalks airworthy after DRC return
General
December next year is when three Rooivalk combat support helicopters now back in South Africa are expected to return to service.
5 December 2024
Successful Hawk weapons camp at AFB Overberg
General
November was a good month for some SA Air Force (SAAF) personnel, particularly those involved in the jet line, with a 19 day weapons camp at Air Force Base (AFB) Overberg.
2 December 2024
SAAF Rooivalks return from the DRC
General
The three South African Air Force (SAAF) Rooivalk attack helicopters serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been flown back to South Africa after years of inactivity.
28 November 2024
SAAF adds 40 technical ground crew to personnel strength
General
The ground crew component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is 40 artisans better off following official reclassification as artisans.
22 November 2024
Nod of approval for Ex Eagle Eye II
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) force preparation exercise Eagle Eye finished with an all-round thumbs-up for mission accomplishment at the Alldays airport (ADY/FAAL) two weeks after teams moved in for preparatory work.
21 November 2024
Air Force and Navy ‘hardly operational’ as SANDF performance declines
General
The South African Navy and Air Force have, due to a lack of maintenance and funding, seen key assets become less productive, resulting in a decline in time at sea and hours flown. This has resulted in a Navy and Air Force that are hardly operational, SCOP
18 November 2024
All SAAF rotary wing maintenance contracts underfunded
General
None of the maintenance contracts in place for the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) five helicopter types are fully funded.
14 November 2024
Most SAAF fixed wing maintenance contracts underfunded
General
Most of the maintenance contracts state defence materiel agency Armscor has in place for the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) fixed wing aircraft are only partially funded at present.
5 November 2024
SAAF Ex Eagle Eye II underway in Limpopo
General
The SAAF is honing and evaluating the various skills that make up the force’s combat readiness by way of Exercise Eagle Eye II, working from a remote location in the Limpopo province.
5 November 2024
Lack of SAAF aircraft a huge impediment to SA’s search and rescue capabilities
General
The limited to no availability of SAAF aircraft for search and rescue (SAR) operations “is a huge challenge,” the South African Search and Rescue (SASAR) organisation has said in its latest annual report, adding that funding shortfalls and resource limita
28 October 2024
SAAF personnel hear force is asset rich but cash poor
General
Four weeks after AFB Waterkloof hosted a successful Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition, SAAF Chief Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo called on the force’s transport centre of excellence to update base personnel on the state of the SAAF.
22 October 2024
Surprise Skies: SAAF Steals the Show at AFB Ysterplaat Outdoor Event
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) delivered an unexpected treat to Cape Town's aviation enthusiasts with a stealthy air display at AFB Ysterplaat, during the South African 4x4 & Outdoor Show (Western Cape), held on the weekend of 19 and 20 October 2024.
21 October 2024
44 Sqn's Operational Training Camp at Malelane Airport
General
From 5 to 14 October 2024, the skies above Malelane Airport in Mpumalanga transformed into a vibrant training ground for the 44 Squadron, stationed at Air Force Base Waterkloof.
7 October 2024
South African Air Force hosts presentation of Colour Parade
General
Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, presided over a Colour Parade at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) on Friday 4 October, highlighting the achievements of the SAAF, including the recent establishment of the Space Command Section.
4 October 2024
A-Darter practice missiles to be delivered this month
General
The much-delayed delivery of Denel’s fifth-generation Denel V3E Agile-Darter (A-Darter) short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) to the SAAF will begin in October with training missiles, while operational A-Darters are expected in March or April of next yea
19 September 2024
Hard landing for Air Force Museum Alouette II " no injuries
General
An SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum Alouette II, piloted by retired general Piet Burger, made a hard landing at the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) on Wednesday.
15 September 2024
SAAF celebrates 76 years of helicopter operations
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has celebrated 76 years of helicopter operations with a helicopter competition and awards ceremony at SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing (MDW).
9 September 2024
C47-TP grounding leaves SAAF with no maritime eyes in the sky
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is stranded when it comes to maritime patrols and the possibility of replacement airframes appearing is slim to non-existent.
29 August 2024
Minister Motshekga told the SAAF is critical to national security
General
SAAF Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, was the second chief of a SANDF service to host Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga on her current familiarisation tour.
29 August 2024
New bosses for AFB Bloemspruit units
General
Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, the SA Air Force (SAAF) helicopter centre of excellence, has new commanders for its two flying units.
8 August 2024
22 Squadron to the rescue for Table Mountain cableway
General
Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat-based 22 Squadron, via SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, answered a call for civic duty from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company.
1 August 2024
Deputy Chief of the Air Force Embarks on a Farewell Tour
General
On July 31, 2024, the Deputy Chief of the Air Force, Major General Macdonald Mayenzeke Mathanda visited Air Force Station Port Elizabeth.
South African delegation visits Embraer as interest remains high in its C-390 transport
General
South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation that was recently given a tour of Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
New SAAF Deputy Chief
General
Come Wednesday 1 January Major General Lancelot Mathebula will add the post of SA Air Force (SAAF) Deputy Chief to his current duties as project leader of the fledgling SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command.
SA Air Force clips wings of local cadets training in Cuba
General
Air force cadets will no longer be trained in Cuba after the SA Air Force (SAAF) officially terminated its agreement with the government of that country.
A year’s worth of work ahead to make three Rooivalks airworthy after DRC return
General
December next year is when three Rooivalk combat support helicopters now back in South Africa are expected to return to service.
Successful Hawk weapons camp at AFB Overberg
General
November was a good month for some SA Air Force (SAAF) personnel, particularly those involved in the jet line, with a 19 day weapons camp at Air Force Base (AFB) Overberg.
SAAF Rooivalks return from the DRC
General
The three South African Air Force (SAAF) Rooivalk attack helicopters serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been flown back to South Africa after years of inactivity.
SAAF adds 40 technical ground crew to personnel strength
General
The ground crew component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is 40 artisans better off following official reclassification as artisans.
Nod of approval for Ex Eagle Eye II
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) force preparation exercise Eagle Eye finished with an all-round thumbs-up for mission accomplishment at the Alldays airport (ADY/FAAL) two weeks after teams moved in for preparatory work.
Air Force and Navy ‘hardly operational’ as SANDF performance declines
General
The South African Navy and Air Force have, due to a lack of maintenance and funding, seen key assets become less productive, resulting in a decline in time at sea and hours flown. This has resulted in a Navy and Air Force that are hardly operational, SCOP
All SAAF rotary wing maintenance contracts underfunded
General
None of the maintenance contracts in place for the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) five helicopter types are fully funded.
Most SAAF fixed wing maintenance contracts underfunded
General
Most of the maintenance contracts state defence materiel agency Armscor has in place for the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) fixed wing aircraft are only partially funded at present.
SAAF Ex Eagle Eye II underway in Limpopo
General
The SAAF is honing and evaluating the various skills that make up the force’s combat readiness by way of Exercise Eagle Eye II, working from a remote location in the Limpopo province.
Lack of SAAF aircraft a huge impediment to SA’s search and rescue capabilities
General
The limited to no availability of SAAF aircraft for search and rescue (SAR) operations “is a huge challenge,” the South African Search and Rescue (SASAR) organisation has said in its latest annual report, adding that funding shortfalls and resource limita
SAAF personnel hear force is asset rich but cash poor
General
Four weeks after AFB Waterkloof hosted a successful Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition, SAAF Chief Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo called on the force’s transport centre of excellence to update base personnel on the state of the SAAF.
Surprise Skies: SAAF Steals the Show at AFB Ysterplaat Outdoor Event
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) delivered an unexpected treat to Cape Town's aviation enthusiasts with a stealthy air display at AFB Ysterplaat, during the South African 4x4 & Outdoor Show (Western Cape), held on the weekend of 19 and 20 October 2024.
44 Sqn's Operational Training Camp at Malelane Airport
General
From 5 to 14 October 2024, the skies above Malelane Airport in Mpumalanga transformed into a vibrant training ground for the 44 Squadron, stationed at Air Force Base Waterkloof.
South African Air Force hosts presentation of Colour Parade
General
Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, presided over a Colour Parade at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) on Friday 4 October, highlighting the achievements of the SAAF, including the recent establishment of the Space Command Section.
A-Darter practice missiles to be delivered this month
General
The much-delayed delivery of Denel’s fifth-generation Denel V3E Agile-Darter (A-Darter) short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) to the SAAF will begin in October with training missiles, while operational A-Darters are expected in March or April of next yea
Hard landing for Air Force Museum Alouette II " no injuries
General
An SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum Alouette II, piloted by retired general Piet Burger, made a hard landing at the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) on Wednesday.
SAAF celebrates 76 years of helicopter operations
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has celebrated 76 years of helicopter operations with a helicopter competition and awards ceremony at SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing (MDW).
C47-TP grounding leaves SAAF with no maritime eyes in the sky
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is stranded when it comes to maritime patrols and the possibility of replacement airframes appearing is slim to non-existent.
Minister Motshekga told the SAAF is critical to national security
General
SAAF Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, was the second chief of a SANDF service to host Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga on her current familiarisation tour.
New bosses for AFB Bloemspruit units
General
Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, the SA Air Force (SAAF) helicopter centre of excellence, has new commanders for its two flying units.
22 Squadron to the rescue for Table Mountain cableway
General
Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat-based 22 Squadron, via SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, answered a call for civic duty from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company.
Deputy Chief of the Air Force Embarks on a Farewell Tour
General
On July 31, 2024, the Deputy Chief of the Air Force, Major General Macdonald Mayenzeke Mathanda visited Air Force Station Port Elizabeth.
