NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
27 July 2024
Korean War participants honoured
General
27 July 2024 marks the 71st Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, a war many refer to as “a forgotten war”. The South Korean Embassy hosted a memorial event on Friday 26 July 2024, honouring those who answered the United Nations’ call to aid South Kore
18 June 2024
Ramaphosa inauguration looks to be a day to remember for aircraft spotters
General
When Cyril Ramaphosa is inaugurated as President of SA for his second term of office tomorrow (Wed 19 June) it will happen at the country’s administrative headquarters " the Union Buildings.
11 June 2024
Improved security coming for SAAF Memorial
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is “investigating security options” for the Bays Hill memorial it has joint ownership of with the SAAF Association (SAAFA).
4 June 2024
No SAAF Ex Winter Solstice this year
General
The airborne service of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will not stage its annual force preparation exercise " Winter Solstice " this year with the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition taking preference.
27 May 2024
The Soaring Spirit of Excellence: Wings Parade 2024
General
The Wings Parade held on 23 May 2024, at the Air Force Base Langebaanweg Central Flying School was a momentous occasion, celebrating the achievements of the South African Air Force's finest.
20 May 2024
SAAF Memorial service held despite vandalism
General
The annual South African Air Force Memorial service has been held at the Bays Hill memorial, north of the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing, formerly known as Swartkop Air Force Base, despite extensive vandalism done last year.
15 May 2024
OT&E Course visits SAAF Museum
General
On Friday, May 10, 2024, eight students from Air Force Base Overberg's Operational Test and Evaluation Course visited the South African Air Force Museum at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.
8 May 2024
End of an era as SAAF Dakota retirement looms
General
End of an era: After 81 years of military service in South Africa, the C47-TP Turbo Dakota is finally being taken out of SAAF service.
16 April 2024
SAAF memorial off-limits
General
â€"Acts of vandalism and desecration†mean the SA Air Force (SAAF) memorial on Bays Hill immediately north of what is now the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) is off-limits and will not be used for an annual memorial service.
8 April 2024
Denel gets R1.2bn to repair SA Air Force helicopters
General
The predicament of the SA Air Force (SAAF) of having unserviceable helicopters could be a thing of the past before the upcoming national elections.
4 April 2024
SAAF Museum air show 2024 to be a flight through time
General
On Saturday 4 May the sky above the western side of Centurion will be abuzz with aircraft for the SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum 2024 air show.
1 April 2024
SAAF Unveils Revolutionary 'Flying Ostrich' Squadron for Enhanced Aerial Dominance
General
In a groundbreaking announcement today, the South African Air Force (SAAF) revealed its latest leap in aviation technology - the introduction of a squadron of trained flying ostriches.
22 March 2024
SA Air Force Museum’s Korean War Hall re-opens
General
This week the Korean War Hall of Remembrance at Swartkop Air Force Base Museum in Pretoria was opened after a substantial upgrade. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Dong-Han Yang and Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, jointly
27 February 2024
SAAF shuts down HQ building due to ventilation problems
General
Due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions caused by malfunctioning ventilation systems, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is temporarily closing its headquarters building in Pretoria.
23 February 2024
Austerity impacts SANDF time in the air and at sea
General
Two areas where austerity measures brought on by a reduced defence budget show in the performance of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) are flying and sea hours.
22 February 2024
Delivery of first operational A-Darters scheduled for December
General
Slow progress is being recorded with the long-delayed A-Darter air-to-air missile being manufactured by Denel Dynamics for the SAAF, with delivery of trainer and operational missiles scheduled for later this year.
21 February 2024
Real term decline in ‘disastrous’ SA defence budget
General
South Africa’s 2024 budget allocation has been revealed to Parliament this afternoon, and it does not bode well for the Department of Defence and South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
21 February 2024
SANDF Budget 2023/24 comments
General
Herewith some Tweets (@deanwingrin) I sent earlier this afternoon after the release of the 2024/25 Budget by National Treasury, as it relates to the SANDF:
19 February 2024
SA’s troops in DRC, Mozambique at risk without crucial helicopter service deal
General
South Africa has deployed its troops into two wars without renewing a maintenance contract needed to keep its essential attack and transport helicopters flying.
8 February 2024
Mbambo promises action on SAAF HQ air conditioning problem
General
Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, has said efforts are being made to address the issue of air conditioning units at SAAF Headquarters in Pretoria being broken, resulting in inside temperatures reaching over 40 degrees on warm days.
5 February 2024
104 Years Celebration of a Collective Heritage and History of the SA Air Force
General
Every birthday is a symbol of a new beginning and a new phase. The South African Air Force held a Prestige Parade at Swartkop Mobile Deployment Wing on 01 February 2024 to celebrate the 104th birthday in style.
4 February 2024
Lack of top cover could be behind DR Congo helicopter attack
General
In the aftermath of Friday’s small arms attack on a SAAF Oryx helicopter attached to the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, the safety and capability of deployed South African military personnel and equipment has been questioned.
2 February 2024
SAAF Oryx riddled by small arms fire in the DRC; two crew injured
General
A South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium transport helicopter was hit dozens of times by small arms fire while carrying out a casualty evacuation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this morning, with two crew injured.
1 February 2024
SAAF resilience needed amid global conflicts and humanitarian crises – Mbambo
General
Ongoing conflicts and natural disasters are increasing demand for South African Air Force (SAAF) assets, but a lack of funding is hampering operations and requires the SAAF to work more efficiently with what it has.
31 January 2024
Modise sidesteps Lekota question on serviceable SAAF fighters
General
Mosiuoa Lekota, who was at the helm of South Africa’s defence and military veterans ministry at the time the Strategic Defence Procurement Package (SDPP) was finalised in the late 1990s, still shows an interest in what has happened to the sharp-end equi
Korean War participants honoured
General
27 July 2024 marks the 71st Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, a war many refer to as “a forgotten war”. The South Korean Embassy hosted a memorial event on Friday 26 July 2024, honouring those who answered the United Nations’ call to aid South Kore
Ramaphosa inauguration looks to be a day to remember for aircraft spotters
General
When Cyril Ramaphosa is inaugurated as President of SA for his second term of office tomorrow (Wed 19 June) it will happen at the country’s administrative headquarters " the Union Buildings.
Improved security coming for SAAF Memorial
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is “investigating security options” for the Bays Hill memorial it has joint ownership of with the SAAF Association (SAAFA).
No SAAF Ex Winter Solstice this year
General
The airborne service of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will not stage its annual force preparation exercise " Winter Solstice " this year with the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition taking preference.
The Soaring Spirit of Excellence: Wings Parade 2024
General
The Wings Parade held on 23 May 2024, at the Air Force Base Langebaanweg Central Flying School was a momentous occasion, celebrating the achievements of the South African Air Force's finest.
SAAF Memorial service held despite vandalism
General
The annual South African Air Force Memorial service has been held at the Bays Hill memorial, north of the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing, formerly known as Swartkop Air Force Base, despite extensive vandalism done last year.
OT&E Course visits SAAF Museum
General
On Friday, May 10, 2024, eight students from Air Force Base Overberg's Operational Test and Evaluation Course visited the South African Air Force Museum at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.
End of an era as SAAF Dakota retirement looms
General
End of an era: After 81 years of military service in South Africa, the C47-TP Turbo Dakota is finally being taken out of SAAF service.
SAAF memorial off-limits
General
â€"Acts of vandalism and desecration†mean the SA Air Force (SAAF) memorial on Bays Hill immediately north of what is now the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) is off-limits and will not be used for an annual memorial service.
Denel gets R1.2bn to repair SA Air Force helicopters
General
The predicament of the SA Air Force (SAAF) of having unserviceable helicopters could be a thing of the past before the upcoming national elections.
SAAF Museum air show 2024 to be a flight through time
General
On Saturday 4 May the sky above the western side of Centurion will be abuzz with aircraft for the SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum 2024 air show.
SAAF Unveils Revolutionary 'Flying Ostrich' Squadron for Enhanced Aerial Dominance
General
In a groundbreaking announcement today, the South African Air Force (SAAF) revealed its latest leap in aviation technology - the introduction of a squadron of trained flying ostriches.
SA Air Force Museum’s Korean War Hall re-opens
General
This week the Korean War Hall of Remembrance at Swartkop Air Force Base Museum in Pretoria was opened after a substantial upgrade. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Dong-Han Yang and Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, jointly
SAAF shuts down HQ building due to ventilation problems
General
Due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions caused by malfunctioning ventilation systems, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is temporarily closing its headquarters building in Pretoria.
Austerity impacts SANDF time in the air and at sea
General
Two areas where austerity measures brought on by a reduced defence budget show in the performance of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) are flying and sea hours.
Delivery of first operational A-Darters scheduled for December
General
Slow progress is being recorded with the long-delayed A-Darter air-to-air missile being manufactured by Denel Dynamics for the SAAF, with delivery of trainer and operational missiles scheduled for later this year.
Real term decline in ‘disastrous’ SA defence budget
General
South Africa’s 2024 budget allocation has been revealed to Parliament this afternoon, and it does not bode well for the Department of Defence and South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
SANDF Budget 2023/24 comments
General
Herewith some Tweets (@deanwingrin) I sent earlier this afternoon after the release of the 2024/25 Budget by National Treasury, as it relates to the SANDF:
SA’s troops in DRC, Mozambique at risk without crucial helicopter service deal
General
South Africa has deployed its troops into two wars without renewing a maintenance contract needed to keep its essential attack and transport helicopters flying.
Mbambo promises action on SAAF HQ air conditioning problem
General
Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, has said efforts are being made to address the issue of air conditioning units at SAAF Headquarters in Pretoria being broken, resulting in inside temperatures reaching over 40 degrees on warm days.
104 Years Celebration of a Collective Heritage and History of the SA Air Force
General
Every birthday is a symbol of a new beginning and a new phase. The South African Air Force held a Prestige Parade at Swartkop Mobile Deployment Wing on 01 February 2024 to celebrate the 104th birthday in style.
Lack of top cover could be behind DR Congo helicopter attack
General
In the aftermath of Friday’s small arms attack on a SAAF Oryx helicopter attached to the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, the safety and capability of deployed South African military personnel and equipment has been questioned.
SAAF Oryx riddled by small arms fire in the DRC; two crew injured
General
A South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium transport helicopter was hit dozens of times by small arms fire while carrying out a casualty evacuation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this morning, with two crew injured.
SAAF resilience needed amid global conflicts and humanitarian crises – Mbambo
General
Ongoing conflicts and natural disasters are increasing demand for South African Air Force (SAAF) assets, but a lack of funding is hampering operations and requires the SAAF to work more efficiently with what it has.
Modise sidesteps Lekota question on serviceable SAAF fighters
General
Mosiuoa Lekota, who was at the helm of South Africa’s defence and military veterans ministry at the time the Strategic Defence Procurement Package (SDPP) was finalised in the late 1990s, still shows an interest in what has happened to the sharp-end equi
