NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
9 January 2013
Air Force Day parade postponed
General
The unavailability of SAAF Chief, Lieutenant General Zakes Msimang, means Air Force Day will not be marked on the first Friday of February this year.
9 January 2013
SAAF Museum 2013 airshow to be bigger and better than ever
General
The SAAF Museum’s annual airshow promises to be better than ever before, with two major drivers encouraging Museum personnel to make the 2013 edition a special one.
31 December 2012
End of year message
General
As yet another year draws to a close, one tends to reflect on the events of the past year and wonder: Just where did the time go and what has been achieved?
19 December 2012
Boeing still chasing African C-17 sale
General
The Boeing Company still views South Africa as a prime candidate to be the first African country to purchase its C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter.
14 December 2012
SAAF maintenance contract cancellation costing jobs at Denel
General
More than 500 maintenance specialists at Denel Aviation will be out of work following the SAAF’s cancellation of a maintenance contract with the company.
12 December 2012
Dakota crash victims honoured
General
A suitably sombre Memorial Service was held at AFB Ysterplaat on Wednesday 12 December in memory of the victims of the South African Airforce aircraft that crashed last week.
6 December 2012
Plane wreckage found in Drakensberg
General
The SA Air Force military plane carrying an estimated 11 people that went missing en route from Pretoria to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday has been found.
5 December 2012
SAAF Dakota missing
General
A search and rescue mission is underway for a missing South African Air Force Dakota transport aircraft.
5 December 2012
New airforce chief awards new Wings to young pilots
General
By Dean WingrinThe new Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Fabian "Zakes" Msimang, officiated at his first wings Parade on Wednesday when he awarded ten young men and women with their coveted airforce Wings at a parade ...
29 November 2012
SA armed forces in dire straits
General
The South African armed forces are so financially cash strapped that the combat readiness of the SANDF is currently under serious threat.
28 November 2012
Lieutenant grounded for 'borrowing' plane
General
A SAAF pilot has been grounded for "borrowing" a plane to visit a friend in neighbouring Botswana and an officer has been reprimanded for spicing up her uniform with hot pink slippers, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
14 November 2012
Air Force cuts contract wings
General
A decision that could compromise the airworthiness of the Air force's aircraft, including the VIP aircraft, hit the military aviation ranks this week like a bomb.
13 November 2012
Unique SAAF Oryx spotted in Cape Peninsula skies
General
A vary rare SAAF Oryx helicopter was operating over the Cape Helderberg today.
8 November 2012
Madiba’s medical crew ‘not in crash’
General
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has denied a report that the aircraft that crashed at the Mthatha Airport in Eastern Cape was transporting former president Nelson Mandela’s medical personnel.
8 November 2012
Defence minister says jet purchase not cast in stone
General
HE SANDF urgently needs new VIP jets, but the exercise will be properly costed before it gets the green light, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has assured Parliament.
7 November 2012
SAAF aircraft leaves runway at Mthatha
General
News reports have stated that a South African Air Force C-47TP TurboDak suffered a landing incident at Mthatha Airport this morning.
2 November 2012
Lack of strategic airlift capability a challenge - SA DoD
General
The lack of a strategic airlift capability remains a challenge and affects external deployments, according to the Department of Defence.
31 October 2012
SAAF flying hours not achieved
General
The SAAF did not meet the required number of flight hours during 2011/2012, according to the annual Department of Defence report, flying around 4 000 fewer hours than required.
17 October 2012
Airforce hit by uniform shortage
General
Airforce members have been told that they will not be issued with new ‘blue’ uniforms for the next two years.
2 October 2012
SAAF’s shortcomings not insurmountable – Gagiano
General
The SAAF has shortcomings, but they are not insurmountable and the service is still very healthy, according to former SAAF chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano.
1 October 2012
Gagiano hands over command of SAAF
General
Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano has handed over command of the SAAF to Lt Gen “Zakes” Fabian Zimpande Msimang, during an impressive ceremony at Swartkop Air Force Base on Friday.
28 September 2012
Tribute to the Chief
General
As a tribute to the outgoing CAF, he was flown to AFB Waterkloof during the AAD airshow on Sunday as part of a two-ship Vampire formation.
27 September 2012
Final Gripens arrive in South Africa
General
The final four Gripen C fighters destined for the South African Air Force have arrived in Cape Town and are making their way to their new home at AFB Makhado.
25 September 2012
AgustaWestland signs support contract for AW109LUH fleet
General
AgustaWestland has signed a comprehensive service support contract for the South African Air Force’s fleet of AW109LUH helicopters.
21 September 2012
Surplus military aircraft for sale
General
Various utility and pilot training aircraft that are no longer required by the SAAF are in the process of being disposed of.
Air Force Day parade postponed
General
The unavailability of SAAF Chief, Lieutenant General Zakes Msimang, means Air Force Day will not be marked on the first Friday of February this year.
SAAF Museum 2013 airshow to be bigger and better than ever
General
The SAAF Museum’s annual airshow promises to be better than ever before, with two major drivers encouraging Museum personnel to make the 2013 edition a special one.
End of year message
General
As yet another year draws to a close, one tends to reflect on the events of the past year and wonder: Just where did the time go and what has been achieved?
Boeing still chasing African C-17 sale
General
The Boeing Company still views South Africa as a prime candidate to be the first African country to purchase its C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter.
SAAF maintenance contract cancellation costing jobs at Denel
General
More than 500 maintenance specialists at Denel Aviation will be out of work following the SAAF’s cancellation of a maintenance contract with the company.
Dakota crash victims honoured
General
A suitably sombre Memorial Service was held at AFB Ysterplaat on Wednesday 12 December in memory of the victims of the South African Airforce aircraft that crashed last week.
Plane wreckage found in Drakensberg
General
The SA Air Force military plane carrying an estimated 11 people that went missing en route from Pretoria to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday has been found.
SAAF Dakota missing
General
A search and rescue mission is underway for a missing South African Air Force Dakota transport aircraft.
New airforce chief awards new Wings to young pilots
General
By Dean WingrinThe new Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Fabian "Zakes" Msimang, officiated at his first wings Parade on Wednesday when he awarded ten young men and women with their coveted airforce Wings at a parade ...
SA armed forces in dire straits
General
The South African armed forces are so financially cash strapped that the combat readiness of the SANDF is currently under serious threat.
Lieutenant grounded for 'borrowing' plane
General
A SAAF pilot has been grounded for "borrowing" a plane to visit a friend in neighbouring Botswana and an officer has been reprimanded for spicing up her uniform with hot pink slippers, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
Air Force cuts contract wings
General
A decision that could compromise the airworthiness of the Air force's aircraft, including the VIP aircraft, hit the military aviation ranks this week like a bomb.
Unique SAAF Oryx spotted in Cape Peninsula skies
General
A vary rare SAAF Oryx helicopter was operating over the Cape Helderberg today.
Madiba’s medical crew ‘not in crash’
General
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has denied a report that the aircraft that crashed at the Mthatha Airport in Eastern Cape was transporting former president Nelson Mandela’s medical personnel.
Defence minister says jet purchase not cast in stone
General
HE SANDF urgently needs new VIP jets, but the exercise will be properly costed before it gets the green light, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has assured Parliament.
SAAF aircraft leaves runway at Mthatha
General
News reports have stated that a South African Air Force C-47TP TurboDak suffered a landing incident at Mthatha Airport this morning.
Lack of strategic airlift capability a challenge - SA DoD
General
The lack of a strategic airlift capability remains a challenge and affects external deployments, according to the Department of Defence.
SAAF flying hours not achieved
General
The SAAF did not meet the required number of flight hours during 2011/2012, according to the annual Department of Defence report, flying around 4 000 fewer hours than required.
Airforce hit by uniform shortage
General
Airforce members have been told that they will not be issued with new ‘blue’ uniforms for the next two years.
SAAF’s shortcomings not insurmountable – Gagiano
General
The SAAF has shortcomings, but they are not insurmountable and the service is still very healthy, according to former SAAF chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano.
Gagiano hands over command of SAAF
General
Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano has handed over command of the SAAF to Lt Gen “Zakes” Fabian Zimpande Msimang, during an impressive ceremony at Swartkop Air Force Base on Friday.
Tribute to the Chief
General
As a tribute to the outgoing CAF, he was flown to AFB Waterkloof during the AAD airshow on Sunday as part of a two-ship Vampire formation.
Final Gripens arrive in South Africa
General
The final four Gripen C fighters destined for the South African Air Force have arrived in Cape Town and are making their way to their new home at AFB Makhado.
AgustaWestland signs support contract for AW109LUH fleet
General
AgustaWestland has signed a comprehensive service support contract for the South African Air Force’s fleet of AW109LUH helicopters.
Surplus military aircraft for sale
General
Various utility and pilot training aircraft that are no longer required by the SAAF are in the process of being disposed of.
