NEWS & EVENTS - PERSONNEL
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.
23 May 2023
SAAF hosts memorial service for fallen heroes
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) in partnership with the South African Air Force Association (SAAFA) hosted a memorial service on 20 May at the Bays Hill Memorial site in Swartkop.
29 March 2023
Joint change of command parade for two SAAF squadrons
Personnel
Air Force Base (AFB) Durban, the lone SA Air Force (SAAF) operational facility in KwaZulu-Natal, staged a double change of command event in line with austerity measures first adopted in the service in the early 2000s.
20 March 2023
Lancelot Mathebula is new SAAF Chief Director Force Preparation
Personnel
Former Air Force Base Makhado commander Major General Lancelot Mathebula has started his new role as Chief Director Force Preparation of the South African Air Force (SAAF).
17 February 2023
SAAF honours slain flight engineer at Swartkop memorial service
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has held a memorial service for Sergeant Vusi Mabena following his death in an Oryx helicopter in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this month.
13 February 2023
Body of SA airman killed in DR Congo arrives home
Personnel
The mortal remains of South African Air Force (SAAF) Sergeant Vusimusi Mabena, killed by a sniper in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were repatriated on Sunday 12 February to Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof in Centurion
12 February 2023
UN tactics under fire after fatal attack on SA crew
Personnel
SA military commanders want the UN to review its combat mission safety protocols after a sniper killed the flight engineer on an air force Oryx transport helicopter and wounded the chopper commander while they were doing duty in the volatile eastern regio
6 February 2023
SAAF crew member killed after Oryx hit by gunfire in DRC
Personnel
One South African Air Force (SAAF) crew member has been killed and another wounded after their Oryx transport helicopter was hit by gunfire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday 5 February.
5 February 2023
SAAF helicopter hit by groundfire in DRC, fatality
Personnel
Reports just coming in that a SAAF Oryx helicopter operating in the DRC has been hit by ground fire. One fatality and one other crew member injured.
2 February 2023
Senior SANDF appointments and promotions announced
Personnel
Four major generals have been added to the senior ranks of the SA Air Force (SAAF) and SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), including a new deputy chief for the airborne service.
16 January 2023
Application forms for MSDS 2024 now available!
Personnel
Application forms for the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) 2024 intake (pilot, navigator, engineering and other support careers) are now available.
9 December 2022
AFB Overberg holds first SAAF medal parade
Personnel
All three SA Air Force (SAAF) bases in the Western Cape were represented at Air Force Base (AFB) Overberg in the first ever medal parade there since its establishment 35 years ago.
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.
SAAF hosts memorial service for fallen heroes
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) in partnership with the South African Air Force Association (SAAFA) hosted a memorial service on 20 May at the Bays Hill Memorial site in Swartkop.
Joint change of command parade for two SAAF squadrons
Personnel
Air Force Base (AFB) Durban, the lone SA Air Force (SAAF) operational facility in KwaZulu-Natal, staged a double change of command event in line with austerity measures first adopted in the service in the early 2000s.
Lancelot Mathebula is new SAAF Chief Director Force Preparation
Personnel
Former Air Force Base Makhado commander Major General Lancelot Mathebula has started his new role as Chief Director Force Preparation of the South African Air Force (SAAF).
SAAF honours slain flight engineer at Swartkop memorial service
Personnel
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has held a memorial service for Sergeant Vusi Mabena following his death in an Oryx helicopter in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this month.
Body of SA airman killed in DR Congo arrives home
Personnel
The mortal remains of South African Air Force (SAAF) Sergeant Vusimusi Mabena, killed by a sniper in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were repatriated on Sunday 12 February to Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof in Centurion
UN tactics under fire after fatal attack on SA crew
Personnel
SA military commanders want the UN to review its combat mission safety protocols after a sniper killed the flight engineer on an air force Oryx transport helicopter and wounded the chopper commander while they were doing duty in the volatile eastern regio
SAAF crew member killed after Oryx hit by gunfire in DRC
Personnel
One South African Air Force (SAAF) crew member has been killed and another wounded after their Oryx transport helicopter was hit by gunfire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday 5 February.
SAAF helicopter hit by groundfire in DRC, fatality
Personnel
Reports just coming in that a SAAF Oryx helicopter operating in the DRC has been hit by ground fire. One fatality and one other crew member injured.
Senior SANDF appointments and promotions announced
Personnel
Four major generals have been added to the senior ranks of the SA Air Force (SAAF) and SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), including a new deputy chief for the airborne service.
Application forms for MSDS 2024 now available!
Personnel
Application forms for the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) 2024 intake (pilot, navigator, engineering and other support careers) are now available.
AFB Overberg holds first SAAF medal parade
Personnel
All three SA Air Force (SAAF) bases in the Western Cape were represented at Air Force Base (AFB) Overberg in the first ever medal parade there since its establishment 35 years ago.
