NEWS & EVENTS - PERSONNEL
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.
30 December 2015
New Bosses for Langebaanweg and Makhado, plus other promotions
Personnel
The South African Department of Defence (DoD) has released details of appointments and promotions for the 2015/2016 financial year.
10 September 2015
Cuba now teaching flying and air traffic control to SA Air Force members
Personnel
Cuban/South African military co-operation has ratcheted up another notch since the start of this month with 24 SAAF members now undergoing extended training in various aviation-related disciplines in the island republic.
7 September 2015
Beleaguered SAAF apparently reaching out to SAA for assistance
Personnel
The point has apparently been reached where the SA Air Force is aware it cannot fulfil its defence obligations and the airborne arm of the SANDF has turned to pilots flying for the national carrier, SAA, for assistance.
30 August 2015
Why Cyril Ramaphosa had to use a Gupta plane
Personnel
The SA Air Force pays up to $30 000 (R400 000) per course for advanced training for its VIP pilots, but four of the six sessions it booked and paid for overseas were cancelled this year at the last minute.
25 June 2015
South Korea commemorates South African airmen
Personnel
Exactly 65 years ago to the day when North Korea attacked South Korea, the embassy of the Republic of Korea held a commemoration ceremony at AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
8 June 2015
OC 21 Sqn quits after Zuma travel chaos
Personnel
Chaos caused by the scheduling of President Jacob Zuma’s international flights has apparently resulted in the commanding officer of the SA Air Force’s VIP squadron resigning this week.
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.
New Bosses for Langebaanweg and Makhado, plus other promotions
Personnel
The South African Department of Defence (DoD) has released details of appointments and promotions for the 2015/2016 financial year.
Cuba now teaching flying and air traffic control to SA Air Force members
Personnel
Cuban/South African military co-operation has ratcheted up another notch since the start of this month with 24 SAAF members now undergoing extended training in various aviation-related disciplines in the island republic.
Beleaguered SAAF apparently reaching out to SAA for assistance
Personnel
The point has apparently been reached where the SA Air Force is aware it cannot fulfil its defence obligations and the airborne arm of the SANDF has turned to pilots flying for the national carrier, SAA, for assistance.
Why Cyril Ramaphosa had to use a Gupta plane
Personnel
The SA Air Force pays up to $30 000 (R400 000) per course for advanced training for its VIP pilots, but four of the six sessions it booked and paid for overseas were cancelled this year at the last minute.
South Korea commemorates South African airmen
Personnel
Exactly 65 years ago to the day when North Korea attacked South Korea, the embassy of the Republic of Korea held a commemoration ceremony at AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
OC 21 Sqn quits after Zuma travel chaos
Personnel
Chaos caused by the scheduling of President Jacob Zuma’s international flights has apparently resulted in the commanding officer of the SA Air Force’s VIP squadron resigning this week.
