Royal South African Air Force
From Roach Busters
| |
| Active | 1912 - |
| Country | Union of South Africa |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Motto | Per Aspera Ad Astra |
| Commander-in-Chief | Governor-General Festus Mogae |
| Commander | Lieutenant General Abel Mawere |
The Royal South African Air Force (RSAAF) is the air force of the Union of South Africa. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra (Through adversity to the stars).
The RSAAF is tasked with providing close air support, aerial reconnaissance, and transport support for the other services of the armed forces. Commanding the air force is Lieutenant General Abel Mawere.
Currently, the RSAAF employs over 75,000 regular uniformed personnel, augmented by about 3,000 civilians and 4,500 reserve personnel, and operates nearly 1,500 aircraft.
Contents |
Units
| Squadron Number | Base | Type of Aircraft | Versions | Objective | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Atlas Carver | A/C | Air defense | |
| 2 Squadron | AFB Makhado | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | D | Air defense | |
| 3 Squadron | AFB Blantyre | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | C | Air defense | |
| 4 Squadron | AFB Francistown | Atlas Oryx | M2 | Transport | |
| 5 Squadron | AFB Livingstone | CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, IAI Arava | IAI 202 | Light transport | |
| 6 Squadron | AFB Gaborone | Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, Aérospatiale Super Frelon | M2, BK 117A, SA 321L | Transport | |
| 7 Squadron | AFB Oshakati | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | AH-2A | Ground attack | |
| 8 Squadron | AFB Bloemspruit | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | C | Air defense | |
| 9 Squadron | AFB Lusaka | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | C | Air defense | |
| 10 Squadron | AFB Maseru | Transall C-160, Britten-Norman Islander, IAI Arava | C-160Z, BN-2A, IAI 202 | Light transport | |
| 11 Squadron | AFB Harare | Atlas Oryx | M2 | Transport | |
| 12 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | AH-2A | Ground attack | |
| 13 Squadron | AFB Walvis Bay | Atlas Oryx | M2 | Transport | |
| 14 Squadron | AFB Blantyre | MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, Aérospatiale Super Frelon | BK 117A, SA 321L | Transport | |
| 15 Squadron | AFB Durban | Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, Aérospatiale Super Frelon | M2, BK 117A, SA 321L | Transport | |
| 16 Squadron | AFB Harare | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | AH-2A | Ground attack | |
| 17 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Atlas Oryx | M2 | Transport | |
| 18 Squadron | AFB Gaborone | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | AH-2A | Ground attack | |
| 19 Squadron | AFB Hoedspruit | Atlas Oryx | M2 | Transport | |
| 20 Squadron | AFB Walvis Bay | Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | C-130J Super Hercules | Medium transport | |
| 21 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Boeing Business Jet, Cessna Citation II, Dassault Falcon 50, Dassault Falcon 900 | 737-7ED, 900B | VIP transport | |
| 22 Squadron | AFB Ysterplaat | Atlas Oryx, Westland Lynx | M2, Super Lynx 300 | Transport, maritime attack | |
| 23 Squadron | AFB Oshakati | Transall C-160, IAI Arava | C-160Z, IAI 202 | Light transport | |
| 24 Squadron | AFB Mbabane | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | AH-2A | Ground attack | |
| 25 Squadron | AFB Lobamba | CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185 | Light transport | ||
| 26 Squadron | AFB Blantyre | Atlas Oryx, Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | M2, AH-2A | Transport, ground attack | |
| 27 Squadron | AFB Makhado | McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender | Air-to-air tanker | ||
| 28 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | C-130J Super Hercules | Medium transport | |
| 29 Squadron | AFB Ysterplaat | English Electric Canberra | Canberra B(I) 12 | Ground attack | |
| 30 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Blackburn Buccaneer | Buccaneer S.50 | Ground attack | |
| 31 Squadron | AFB Hoedspruit | CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Transall C-160 | C-160Z | Light transport | |
| 32 Squadron | AFB Lusaka | English Electric Canberra, Blackburn Buccaneer | Canberra B(I) 12, Buccaneer S.50 | Ground attack | |
| 33 Squadron | AFB Mbabane | CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185 | Light transport | ||
| 34 Squadron | AFB Gaborone | Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | C-130J Super Hercules | Medium transport | |
| 35 Squadron | AFB Ysterplaat | Douglas C-47 Skytrain | C-47TP Turbo Dakota | Maritime patrol, transport | |
| 36 Squadron | AFB Bulawayo | Cessna 208 Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, Beechcraft King Air | 200C Super King | Light transport | |
| 37 Squadron | AFB Francistown | English Electric Canberra, Blackburn Buccaneer | Canberra B(I) 12, Buccaneer S.50 | Ground attack | |
| 38 Squadron | AFB Lobamba | Atlas Oryx, Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | M2, AH-2A | Transport, ground attack | |
| 39 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender | Air-to-air tanker | ||
| 40 Squadron | AFB Maseru | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk | AH-2A | Ground attack | |
| 41 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Cessna 208 Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, Beechcraft King Air | 200C Super King | Light transport | |
| 42 Squadron | AFB Harare | Lockheed P-3 Orion | P-3C | Observation, reconnaissance | |
| 43 Squadron | AFB Walvis Bay | Denel AH-2 Rooivalk, Westland Lynx | AH-2A, Super Lynx 300 | Ground attack, maritime attack | |
| 44 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185 | Light transport | ||
| 45 Squadron | AFB Gaborone | Lockheed P-3 Orion | P-3C | Observation, reconnaissance | |
| 46 Squadron | AFB Francistown | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | C | Air defense | |
| 47 Squadron | AFB Maseru | Cessna 208 Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, Beechcraft King Air | 200C Super King | Light transport | |
| 48 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Lockheed P-3 Orion | P-3C | Observation, reconnaissance | |
| 49 Squadron | AFB Hoedspruit | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | C | Air defense | |
| 50 Squadron | AFB Walvis Bay | Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | C-130J Super Hercules | Medium transport | |
| 59 Squadron | AFB Bulawayo | Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | C-130J Super Hercules | Medium transport | |
| 60 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Airbus A400M | Long-range transport | ||
| 80 Air Navigation School | AFB Ysterplaat | Douglas C-47 Skytrain, Cessna 208 Caravan, Pilatus PC-7 | C-47TP Turbo Dakota, Mk II Astra | Navigation training | |
| 85 Combat Flying School | AFB Makhado | BAE Hawk | Mk.120 LIFT | Jet-flight training | |
| 87 Helicopter Flying School | AFB Bloemspruit | Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 | M2, BK 117A | Helicopter flight training | |
| Central Flying School | AFB Langebaanweg | Pilatus PC-7 | Mk II Astra | Ab initio flight traing | |
| Test Flight and Development Centre | AFB Overberg | various | Test flight and evaluation | ||
| SA Royal Air Force College | Various locations | ||||
| RSAAF Museum Historic Flight | AFB Swartkop | various | |||
| Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre | AFB Waterkloof | Air intelligence and counter-intelligence training | |||
| 101 Squadron | AFB Hoedspruit | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 102 Squadron | AFB Makhado | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 103 Squadron | AFB Blantyre | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 104 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 105 Squadron | AFB Durban | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 106 Squadron | AFB Bloemspruit | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 107 Squadron | AFB Bloemspruit | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 108 Squadron | AFB Port Elizabeth | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 109 Squadron | AFB Bulawayo | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 110 Squadron | AFB Ysterplaat | Light transport (reserve) | |||
| 1 Air Servicing Unit | AFB Thaba Tshwane | Maintenance and support | |||
| 2 Air Servicing Unit | AFB Ysterplaat | Maintenance and support | |||
| 3 Air Servicing Unit | AFB Makhado | Maintenance and support | |||
| 4 Air Servicing Unit | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Maintenance and support | |||
| 5 Air Servicing Unit | AFB Waterkloof | Maintenance and support | |||
| 6 Air Servicing Unit | AFB Lusaka | Maintenance and support | |||
| 7 Air Servicing Unit | AFB Hoedspruit | Maintenance and support | |||
| 10 Air Depot | AFB Thaba Tshwane | Logistics support services | |||
| 68 Air School | TEK Base | Technical aviation training | |||
| 18 Deployment Support Unit | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Logistics support services | |||
| 92 Tactical Airfield Unit | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Logistics support services | |||
| 140 Squadron | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Air defense | |||
| 141 Squadron | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Air defense | |||
| 500 Squadron | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Security services | |||
| 501 Squadron | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Security services | |||
| 502 Squadron | TEK Base | Security services | |||
| 503 Squadron | Valhalla | Security services | |||
| 504 Squadron | AFB Waterkloof | Security services | |||
| 505 Squadron | AFB Ysterplaat | Security services | |||
| 525 Squadron | AFB Overberg | Security services | |||
| 526 Squadron | AFB Langebaanweg | Security services | |||
| Air Force Gymnasium | Valhaala | Basic training | |||
| Bushveld Airspace Control Sector | Other | Training (Air defense) | |||
| Lowveld Airspace Control Sector | AFB Hoedspruit | Training (Air defense) | |||
| Mobile Communications Unit | Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing | Providing operationally deployable communications for the RSAAF | |||
| Rapid Deployment Air Operations Team 43 | Wonderboom | Logistics support services | |||
| Rapid Deployment Air Operations Team 46 | Johannesburg | Logistics support services | |||
| Air Publications Service Centre | AFB Thaba Tshwane | Custodian for the master and key copies of all SAAF documentation and publications in terms of aviation regulations and acts | |||
| SA Royal Air Force Band | Valhaala | Parades, performing as marching band | |||
| Command and Control School | AFB Waterkloof | Training | |||
| School of Cookery | Valhaala | Training for chefs and waiters in the RSAAF | |||
| Fire Training School | Valhaala | Training for firefighters in the RSAAF | |||
| Royal Air Force Command and Control School | AFB Hoedspruit | Provides courses in command and control, airspace control, and telecommunications | |||
| Airspace Control Unit | AFB Swartkop | Logistics support services (Air defense) | |||
| Central Photographic Institute | AFB Waterkloof | Provision of photographic services | |||
| Combined Auction Centre | Other | Logistics support services | |||
| Ellisras Reporting Post | Other | The Ellisras Reporting Post is an early warning radar installation | |||
| RSAAF Police | Other | Security services | |||
| RSAAF Telecommunications Centre | AFB Waterkloof | Logistics support services | |||
| Electronic Warfare Centre | AFB Waterkloof | Logistics support services |
Reserves
Royal Air Force Conventional Reserves
A pool of reserve posts were created to serve the RSAAF and augment regular units as and when needed. All trades in the RSAAF are represented in the reserves, e.g. pilots, security squadron personnel, etc.
Royal Air Force Territorial Reserve
Currently consists of eighteen squadrons of privately owned aircraft operated by reserve pilots on behalf of the RSAAF.
These squadrons fulfill a very valuable role in light transport and observation, especially due to low direct operating costs.
Equipment
Aircraft
- Aérospatiale SA 321L Super Frelon heavy transport helicopter
- Airbus A400M transport aircraft
- Atlas Carver A/C stealth multirole fighter
- Atlas Oryx M2 utility helicopter
- BAE Hawk Mk.120 LIFT trainer
- Beechcraft Super King Air 200C utility aircraft
- Blackburn Buccaneer S.50 strike aircraft
- Boeing 737-7ED BBJ VIP transport
- Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander light utility/transport aircraft
- CASA C-212 Aviocar transport aircraft
- CASA CN-235 transport aircraft
- Cessna 185A/D/E light utility aircraft
- Cessna 208 Caravan utility aircraft
- Cessna 550/551 Citation II VIP transport
- Dassault Falcon 50 VIP transport
- Dassault Falcon 900B VIP transport
- Denel AH-2A Rooivalk attack helicopter
- Douglas C-47TP Turbo Dakota transport
- English Electric Canberra B(I) 12 bomber
- Lockheed P-3C Orion patrol aircraft
- Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport
- MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A utility/transport helicopter
- McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender air-to-air tanker
- Pilatus PC-7 Mk2 Astra trainer
- Pilatus PC-12 utility aircraft
- Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen multirole fighter
- Transall C-160Z transport aircraft
- Westland Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter
Missiles
Surface-to-surface
- BGM-71 TOW
- RBS-15
Surface-to-air
- Crotale
- Mistral
Air-to-surface
- AGM-65 Maverick
- AS.30
- Ingwe
- Mokopa
- Sea Eagle
- Sea Skua
- TAURUS KEPD 350
Air-to-air
- A-Darter
- AIM-9 Sidewinder
- AIM-120 AMRAAM
- IRIS-T
- Python-3
- R-Darter
Bombs
- GBU-12 Paveway II
- Mark 82
Armored vehicles
N.B.: These vehicles are used for airfield defense.
- ERC 20
- VBL ALBI-MISTRAL
- VIB
Artillery
N.B.: Used for airfield defense.
- 20mm self-propelled air defense gun
- 23mm self-propelled air defense gun
- 35mm air defense gun
