NEWS & EVENTS - PERSONNEL
3 June 2025
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
Personnel
A brewing crisis within the SAAF is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF’s most vital aircraft.
20 May 2025
Two hundred thousand plus apply for five thousand MSDS slots
Personnel
The proverbial jury is and probably will remain out on whether patriotism or a need for gainful employment drives the massive number of applications to become SANDF Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits.
18 February 2025
SANDF makes 2026 MSDS application forms available
Personnel
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) applications for 2026, allowing young and deserving South Africans the chance to join the military on a two-year contract.
31 January 2025
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
Personnel
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day " better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day " will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
27 December 2024
New SAAF Deputy Chief
Personnel
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
Personnel
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.
28 November 2024
SAAF adds 40 technical ground crew to personnel strength
Personnel
The ground crew component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is 40 artisans better off following official reclassification as artisans.
29 August 2024
New bosses for AFB Bloemspruit units
Personnel
Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, the SA Air Force (SAAF) helicopter centre of excellence, has new commanders for its two flying units.
27 July 2024
Korean War participants honoured
Personnel
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
27 May 2024
The Soaring Spirit of Excellence: Wings Parade 2024
Personnel
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
Personnel
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.
27 February 2024
SAAF shuts down HQ building due to ventilation problems
Personnel
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.
2 February 2024
SAAF Oryx riddled by small arms fire in the DRC; two crew injured
Personnel
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.
24 January 2024
Use of SAAF aircraft for party political purposes slammed
Personnel
The apparent â€"commandeering†of SAAF platforms to transport senior government officials, seemingly including President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile, to venues for ANC political events, was grabbed with both hands by the opposition DA.
18 January 2024
SAAF pays tribute to late Rooivalk father, Dr Paul Potgieter
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has honoured ‘the father of the Rooivalk’ attack helicopter, Dr Paul Potgieter, who tragically passed away last month.
14 December 2023
Minister Modise reveals SAAF aircrew numbers
Personnel
The SA Air Force (SAAF) musters just short of 400 aircrew, with the majority of pilots in command (PICs) flying rotorcraft according to Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise.
6 December 2023
AFB Ysterplaat and Girls Fly Africa Inspire Young Girls to Pursue Aerospace Careers
Personnel
To address this issue and promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat and Girls Fly Africa, a non-profit organization, have formed a partnership that aims to inspire and empower young girls from diverse backgrounds to
5 December 2023
80 Air Navigation School Land and Sea Survival: Overcoming Adversities in Dangerous Terrains
Personnel
From 20 to 08 December 2023, the South African Air Force pupil pilots were being prepared for the unforeseen nestled within the curriculum of the esteemed 80 Air Navigation School.
13 November 2023
Cape Town hosts first 'Turn Towards Busan' Korean War commemorative ceremony
Personnel
In a heartfelt tribute to the South Africans who served and lost their lives under the UN flag during the 1950-53 Korean War, the inaugural Cape Town "Turn Towards Busan" commemorative ceremony took place this past Saturday.
30 October 2023
South African Air Force Chief highlights challenges of underfunding
Personnel
Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), recently spoke to defenceWeb about the challenges faced by the Air Force due to underfunding and the need for increased financial support.
4 October 2023
SAAF pilots training at the International Test Pilots School in Canada
Personnel
The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) in Canada is training three South African Air Force (SAAF) pilots and an engineer, who joined the first course of 2023.
7 August 2023
SAAF to help ATNS with air traffic control amid staff shortage
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is to deploy Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to civilian airports around South Africa due to a staff shortage at the State-owned Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) company.
28 July 2023
Eyebrows raised after SA Air Force chief revokes cancellation of officers’ course despite fitness fail
Personnel
The chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant-General Wiseman Mbambo, recently ordered that a cancelled officers’ forming course ‘proceed as planned’, despite more than half of the candidates failing to meet the fitness requirements. Defence
25 July 2023
Change of plan for aspirant South African Air Force officers who failed fitness test
Personnel
Goalposts have been moved – temporarily it appears – for a component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) officers’ forming course (OFC).
13 July 2023
SAAF Chief hits out at ill-discipline, theft and corruption
Personnel
Lt-Gen Wiseman Mbambo took part in an operations readiness session for senior SAAF officers to hammer home the importance of, among others, discipline as well as the damage theft and corruption causes.
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
Personnel
A brewing crisis within the SAAF is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF’s most vital aircraft.
Two hundred thousand plus apply for five thousand MSDS slots
Personnel
The proverbial jury is and probably will remain out on whether patriotism or a need for gainful employment drives the massive number of applications to become SANDF Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits.
SANDF makes 2026 MSDS application forms available
Personnel
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) applications for 2026, allowing young and deserving South Africans the chance to join the military on a two-year contract.
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
Personnel
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day " better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day " will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
New SAAF Deputy Chief
Personnel
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
Personnel
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.
SAAF adds 40 technical ground crew to personnel strength
Personnel
The ground crew component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is 40 artisans better off following official reclassification as artisans.
New bosses for AFB Bloemspruit units
Personnel
Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, the SA Air Force (SAAF) helicopter centre of excellence, has new commanders for its two flying units.
Korean War participants honoured
Personnel
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
The Soaring Spirit of Excellence: Wings Parade 2024
Personnel
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
Personnel
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.
SAAF shuts down HQ building due to ventilation problems
Personnel
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.
SAAF Oryx riddled by small arms fire in the DRC; two crew injured
Personnel
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.
Use of SAAF aircraft for party political purposes slammed
Personnel
The apparent â€"commandeering†of SAAF platforms to transport senior government officials, seemingly including President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile, to venues for ANC political events, was grabbed with both hands by the opposition DA.
SAAF pays tribute to late Rooivalk father, Dr Paul Potgieter
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has honoured ‘the father of the Rooivalk’ attack helicopter, Dr Paul Potgieter, who tragically passed away last month.
Minister Modise reveals SAAF aircrew numbers
Personnel
The SA Air Force (SAAF) musters just short of 400 aircrew, with the majority of pilots in command (PICs) flying rotorcraft according to Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise.
AFB Ysterplaat and Girls Fly Africa Inspire Young Girls to Pursue Aerospace Careers
Personnel
To address this issue and promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat and Girls Fly Africa, a non-profit organization, have formed a partnership that aims to inspire and empower young girls from diverse backgrounds to
80 Air Navigation School Land and Sea Survival: Overcoming Adversities in Dangerous Terrains
Personnel
From 20 to 08 December 2023, the South African Air Force pupil pilots were being prepared for the unforeseen nestled within the curriculum of the esteemed 80 Air Navigation School.
Cape Town hosts first 'Turn Towards Busan' Korean War commemorative ceremony
Personnel
In a heartfelt tribute to the South Africans who served and lost their lives under the UN flag during the 1950-53 Korean War, the inaugural Cape Town "Turn Towards Busan" commemorative ceremony took place this past Saturday.
South African Air Force Chief highlights challenges of underfunding
Personnel
Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), recently spoke to defenceWeb about the challenges faced by the Air Force due to underfunding and the need for increased financial support.
SAAF pilots training at the International Test Pilots School in Canada
Personnel
The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) in Canada is training three South African Air Force (SAAF) pilots and an engineer, who joined the first course of 2023.
SAAF to help ATNS with air traffic control amid staff shortage
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is to deploy Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to civilian airports around South Africa due to a staff shortage at the State-owned Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) company.
Eyebrows raised after SA Air Force chief revokes cancellation of officers’ course despite fitness fail
Personnel
The chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant-General Wiseman Mbambo, recently ordered that a cancelled officers’ forming course ‘proceed as planned’, despite more than half of the candidates failing to meet the fitness requirements. Defence
Change of plan for aspirant South African Air Force officers who failed fitness test
Personnel
Goalposts have been moved – temporarily it appears – for a component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) officers’ forming course (OFC).
SAAF Chief hits out at ill-discipline, theft and corruption
Personnel
Lt-Gen Wiseman Mbambo took part in an operations readiness session for senior SAAF officers to hammer home the importance of, among others, discipline as well as the damage theft and corruption causes.
