NEWS & EVENTS - PERSONNEL
13 April 2018
SAAF adds new maintenance technicians
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has added new aircraft maintenance technicians to its ranks, with 65 artisans being reclassified during a passing out parade this morning.
8 February 2018
DRC Rooivalks notch up a first
Personnel
Now in its fifth year of deployment with the UN Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a pair of Rooivalk combat support helicopters notched up a first when manned by all-black crews on an escort mission.
9 January 2018
New leadership at Cape airbases and squadrons (Updated)
Personnel
Two of the three South African Air Force bases located in the Western Cape province have received new commanding officers: AFB Overberg and AFB Ysterplaat.
15 November 2017
Silver Falcons 50th anniversary getting ever closer
Personnel
Silver Falcon number one, Commandant (Colonel) Chris Prins, is no longer alive and sadly, cannot be part of the SA Air Force (SAAF) aerobatic team’s 50th anniversary at AFB Langebaanweg on November 24.
29 September 2017
Final Western Cape medal parade of 2017 held
Personnel
The third and final Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) medal parade held in the Western Cape during 2017 took place at the Naval Base Simon’s Town Martello Sports Grounds on Friday September 29, 2017.
18 August 2017
Passing out parade at 68 Air School
Personnel
What is now termed an “artisan reclassification passing out parade” is today seeing the ranks of the SA Air Force’s technical staff boosted by 50.
21 May 2017
SAAF salutes its heroes at annual memorial
Personnel
The South African Air Force and the Air Force Association have paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the annual memorial service on Bays Hill at Valhalla outside Pretoria.
7 May 2017
Ysterplaat honours the fallen
Personnel
AFB Ysterplaat held its annual Air Force Memorial Service on 5 May at which the Airforce Base not only recalled those serving members who lost their lives during the previous year, but the memory of thousands of SAAF members who made the ultimate sacrific
4 April 2017
Transformation amongst highlights of 28 Squadron
Personnel
The qualifying of the first black female C-130 Hercules commander is one of the transformation highlights emphasised by the SAAF regarding 28 Squadron.
8 March 2017
Women rule at AFB Zwartkop
Personnel
A change of command parade at AFB Zwartkop means the SA Air Force’s oldest base now has a woman officer commanding for the first time with another woman taking charge of the base’s lone operational squadron.
7 February 2017
SAAF sending members to military academy in the United States
Personnel
The South Africa Air Force (SAAF) will send 60 of its members to the United States every year to train at the military academy there.
4 February 2017
Makhado pilot celebrates his 1 000 hour milestone
Personnel
One of AFB Makhado’s fighter pilots recently celebrated a special milestone in his career.
4 February 2017
SAAF holds Prestige Day ceremony
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) hosted its Prestige Day parade at Air Force Base Waterkloof today, during which Air Force Base Bloemspruit was named the most prestigious unit in the SAAF.
1 February 2017
Mcetywa new General Officer Commanding SAAF’s Air Command
Personnel
Major General Octavia Mcetywa has taken over from Major General Wiseman Mbambo as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) Air Command.
5 January 2017
Another step taken in reactivation of SAAF Reserve squadrons
Personnel
Efforts to reactivate and resuscitate the role of squadrons in the Air Force Reserve Service (AFRS) gained impetus during a special Air Force Reserve Force Squadron workshop.
9 December 2016
Wings for nine new SAAF pilots at Langebaanweg
Personnel
This week the SA Air Force (SAAF) welcomed nine newly minted first lieutenants to the ranks of its aircrew.
7 December 2016
Appointments and promotions of SAAF Generals
Personnel
The Department of Defence has announced the following appointments and promotions of SAAF officers with effect from 1 January 2017 (or as indicated).
22 October 2016
Mashaba takes reins as 2 squadron commander
Personnel
A new era dawned at AFB Makhado on 7 October, with Lieutenant Colonel Josias Mashaba taking over the reins as new officer commanding of 2 Squadron from Lieutenant Colonel Musa “Midnite” Mbhokota.
5 October 2016
SA Department of Defence spending 55% of its budget on personnel
Personnel
The Department of Defence is spending 55% of its budget on personnel, with R24 billion out of R45 billion rand of its 2015/16 budget going to salaries for 77 000 people.
15 September 2016
SA pilots training in Russia – Political push for greater co-operation
Personnel
Five South African Air Force (SAAF) officers are undergoing pilot training in Russia and more could soon be on their way as the two countries step up defence ties.
30 May 2016
SA Air Force maintenance suffering from loss of skilled technicians
Personnel
The aircraft maintenance capabilities of the SAAF, including that of the presidential Boeing Business Jet, have decreased dramatically since the last of the AMG/Denel support personnel were laid off, resulting in serious implications for aircraft servicea
27 March 2016
Air Force must close a squadron
Personnel
The Air Force will soon be forced to either close their Hawk or Gripen fighter squadron due to a curtailment of the air force budget and the weakening rand.
4 March 2016
New boss for SAAF Museum
Personnel
The new man in charge of the SAAF\'s military aviation history via its three museums is Lieutenant Colonel Thor Fredericks.
1 February 2016
Despite underfunding, SAAF is coping, Msimang says at Prestige Day Parade
Personnel
Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang, chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), has warned of the dire consequences of underfunding, but maintains that the Air Force is able to fulfil its mandate in spite of considerable challenges.
30 January 2016
General Barends take reigns at AFB Makhado
Personnel
AFB Makhado came under new leadership on Friday, 22 January, with Brigadier General André Barends taking over the reins as new officer commanding of the base.
SAAF adds new maintenance technicians
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has added new aircraft maintenance technicians to its ranks, with 65 artisans being reclassified during a passing out parade this morning.
DRC Rooivalks notch up a first
Personnel
Now in its fifth year of deployment with the UN Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a pair of Rooivalk combat support helicopters notched up a first when manned by all-black crews on an escort mission.
New leadership at Cape airbases and squadrons (Updated)
Personnel
Two of the three South African Air Force bases located in the Western Cape province have received new commanding officers: AFB Overberg and AFB Ysterplaat.
Silver Falcons 50th anniversary getting ever closer
Personnel
Silver Falcon number one, Commandant (Colonel) Chris Prins, is no longer alive and sadly, cannot be part of the SA Air Force (SAAF) aerobatic team’s 50th anniversary at AFB Langebaanweg on November 24.
Final Western Cape medal parade of 2017 held
Personnel
The third and final Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) medal parade held in the Western Cape during 2017 took place at the Naval Base Simon’s Town Martello Sports Grounds on Friday September 29, 2017.
Passing out parade at 68 Air School
Personnel
What is now termed an “artisan reclassification passing out parade” is today seeing the ranks of the SA Air Force’s technical staff boosted by 50.
SAAF salutes its heroes at annual memorial
Personnel
The South African Air Force and the Air Force Association have paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the annual memorial service on Bays Hill at Valhalla outside Pretoria.
Ysterplaat honours the fallen
Personnel
AFB Ysterplaat held its annual Air Force Memorial Service on 5 May at which the Airforce Base not only recalled those serving members who lost their lives during the previous year, but the memory of thousands of SAAF members who made the ultimate sacrific
Transformation amongst highlights of 28 Squadron
Personnel
The qualifying of the first black female C-130 Hercules commander is one of the transformation highlights emphasised by the SAAF regarding 28 Squadron.
Women rule at AFB Zwartkop
Personnel
A change of command parade at AFB Zwartkop means the SA Air Force’s oldest base now has a woman officer commanding for the first time with another woman taking charge of the base’s lone operational squadron.
SAAF sending members to military academy in the United States
Personnel
The South Africa Air Force (SAAF) will send 60 of its members to the United States every year to train at the military academy there.
Makhado pilot celebrates his 1 000 hour milestone
Personnel
One of AFB Makhado’s fighter pilots recently celebrated a special milestone in his career.
SAAF holds Prestige Day ceremony
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) hosted its Prestige Day parade at Air Force Base Waterkloof today, during which Air Force Base Bloemspruit was named the most prestigious unit in the SAAF.
Mcetywa new General Officer Commanding SAAF’s Air Command
Personnel
Major General Octavia Mcetywa has taken over from Major General Wiseman Mbambo as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) Air Command.
Another step taken in reactivation of SAAF Reserve squadrons
Personnel
Efforts to reactivate and resuscitate the role of squadrons in the Air Force Reserve Service (AFRS) gained impetus during a special Air Force Reserve Force Squadron workshop.
Wings for nine new SAAF pilots at Langebaanweg
Personnel
This week the SA Air Force (SAAF) welcomed nine newly minted first lieutenants to the ranks of its aircrew.
Appointments and promotions of SAAF Generals
Personnel
The Department of Defence has announced the following appointments and promotions of SAAF officers with effect from 1 January 2017 (or as indicated).
Mashaba takes reins as 2 squadron commander
Personnel
A new era dawned at AFB Makhado on 7 October, with Lieutenant Colonel Josias Mashaba taking over the reins as new officer commanding of 2 Squadron from Lieutenant Colonel Musa “Midnite” Mbhokota.
SA Department of Defence spending 55% of its budget on personnel
Personnel
The Department of Defence is spending 55% of its budget on personnel, with R24 billion out of R45 billion rand of its 2015/16 budget going to salaries for 77 000 people.
SA pilots training in Russia – Political push for greater co-operation
Personnel
Five South African Air Force (SAAF) officers are undergoing pilot training in Russia and more could soon be on their way as the two countries step up defence ties.
SA Air Force maintenance suffering from loss of skilled technicians
Personnel
The aircraft maintenance capabilities of the SAAF, including that of the presidential Boeing Business Jet, have decreased dramatically since the last of the AMG/Denel support personnel were laid off, resulting in serious implications for aircraft servicea
Air Force must close a squadron
Personnel
The Air Force will soon be forced to either close their Hawk or Gripen fighter squadron due to a curtailment of the air force budget and the weakening rand.
New boss for SAAF Museum
Personnel
The new man in charge of the SAAF\'s military aviation history via its three museums is Lieutenant Colonel Thor Fredericks.
Despite underfunding, SAAF is coping, Msimang says at Prestige Day Parade
Personnel
Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang, chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), has warned of the dire consequences of underfunding, but maintains that the Air Force is able to fulfil its mandate in spite of considerable challenges.
General Barends take reigns at AFB Makhado
Personnel
AFB Makhado came under new leadership on Friday, 22 January, with Brigadier General André Barends taking over the reins as new officer commanding of the base.
