South African Air Force

From Roach Busters

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[[Image:250px-South African Air Force flag.png|250px|thumb|right|South African Air Force ensign.]]
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{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; width: 32em;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
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The '''South African Air Force''' (SAAF) 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. Each province holds at least one major SAAF base, and the SAAF's aircraft inventory is divided fairly evenly among the provinces.
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|-
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! cellpadding="2" colspan="2" style="text-align:center" style="background:#ccccff;" |<center>South African Air Force</center>
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|-
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|colspan=2 style="text-align: center"|[[Image:250px-South African Air Force flag.png|250px]]
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|-
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!Active
 +
|1912 -
 +
|-
 +
!Country
 +
|[[South Africa]]
 +
|-
 +
!Branch
 +
|[[:Category:Air forces|Air Force]]
 +
|-
 +
!Motto
 +
|''Per Aspera Ad Astra''
 +
|-
 +
! cellpadding="2" colspan="2" style="text-align:center" style="background:#ccccff;" |<center>Commanders</center>
 +
|-
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!Commander-in-Chief
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|State President Festus Mogae
 +
|-
 +
!Commander
 +
|Lieutenant General Abel Mawere
 +
|}
 +
The '''South African Air Force''' (SAAF) is the [[:Category:Air forces|air force]] of the [[South Africa|Republic 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 SAAF 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. Each province holds at least one major SAAF base, and the SAAF's aircraft inventory is divided fairly evenly among the provinces.
 +
Currently, the SAAF employs over 25,000 personnel and operates over 500 aircraft.
 +
 +
==Units==
 +
===Squadrons===
 +
*1 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
 +
*2 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
 +
*3 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
 +
*4 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH)
 +
*5 Squadron (CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235)
 +
*6 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A, Agusta A109 LUH)
 +
*7 Squadron (SA-321L Super Frelon)
 +
*8 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
 +
*11 Squadron (SA-330C/H/L Puma, SE-3160/B Alouette III)
 +
*12 Squadron (SA-330C/H/L Puma, SE-3160/B Alouette III)
 +
*15 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A, Agusta A109 LUH)
 +
*16 Squadron (Denel AH-2 Rooivalk)
 +
*17 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH)
 +
*19 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH)
 +
*21 Squadron (Boeing BBJ, Cessna Citation I, Dassault Falcon 50, Dassault Falcon 900)
 +
*22 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Westland Super Lynx 300)
 +
*24 Squadron (SA-321L Super Frelon)
 +
*25 Squadron (CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185)
 +
*27 Squadron (Lockheed C-130B/BZ/F Hercules)
 +
*28 Squadron (Lockheed C-130B/BZ/F Hercules)
 +
*35 Squadron (C-47TP)
 +
*40 Squadron (Transall C-160Z, 781D Viscount)
 +
*41 Squadron (Cessna Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, Beechcraft 200C Super King Air)
 +
*42 Squadron (Denel AH-2 Rooivalk, Westland Super Lynx 300)
 +
*44 Squadron (CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185)
 +
*60 Squadron (Airbus A400M)
 +
*80 Air Navigation School (C-47TP, Cessna Caravan, PC-7 Mk II Astra)
 +
*85 Combat Flying School (BAe Hawk LIFT)
 +
*87 Helicopter Flying School (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH, BK 117A)
 +
*Central Flying School (Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra)
 +
*Test Flight and Development Centre (various aircraft on test)
 +
*SAAF Flight Museum (various historical aircraft including Douglas C-47 Dakota, North American Mustang, North American Harvard, Avro Shackleton, Canadair Sabre, de Havilland Vampire, Dassault Mirage III, Dassault Mirage F1 and Aérospatiale Alouette II)
 +
 +
===Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing===
 +
*18 Deployment Support Unit - provides logistic support to units on deployment (at temporary air bases, etc.)
 +
*Mobile Communications Unit - provides mobile communications to deployed units
 +
*140 Squadron - provides deployable 3D long range radar services to SAAF units
 +
*142 Squadron - provides deployable tactical mobile radar services to SAAF units
 +
*500 Security Squadron - (SAAF Task Force) Mobile security services to deployed forces, etc.
 +
 +
===Reserves===
 +
====Air Force Conventional Reserves====
 +
A pool of reserve posts were created to serve the SAAF and augment regular units as and when needed. All trades in the SAAF are represented in the reserves, e.g. pilots, security squadron personnel, etc.
 +
 +
====Air Force Territorial Reserve====
 +
Currently consists of nine squadrons of privately owned aircraft operated by reserve pilots on behalf of the SAAF.
 +
 +
*101 Squadron
 +
*102 Squadron
 +
*104 Squadron
 +
*105 Squadron
 +
*106 Squadron
 +
*107 Squadron
 +
*108 Squadron
 +
*110 Squadron
 +
*111 Squadron
 +
 +
These squadrons fulfill a very valuable role in light transport and observation, especially due to low direct operating costs.
 +
 +
==Equipment==
 +
===Aircraft===
*Agusta A109LUH utility helicopter
*Agusta A109LUH utility helicopter
*Airbus A400M transport aircraft
*Airbus A400M transport aircraft
-
*Atlas Cheetah D fighter
 
*Atlas Oryx utility helicopter
*Atlas Oryx utility helicopter
*BAE Hawk 120/LIFT trainer
*BAE Hawk 120/LIFT trainer
Line 26: Line 116:
*Pilatus PC-12 utility aircraft
*Pilatus PC-12 utility aircraft
*Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen multirole fighter
*Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen multirole fighter
-
*Westland Super Lynx maritime attack helicopter
+
*Westland Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter
-
 
-
*Aeritalia AM.3C Bosbok observation aircraft
 
-
*Atlas MB-326M Impala I trainer
 
-
*Atlas MB-326K Impala II attack aircraft
 
-
*Atlas Cheetah C fighter
 
-
*Beechcraft B80 Queen Air utility aircraft
 
-
*Boeing 707 VIP transport
 
-
*Dassault Mirage IIIBZ/IIIDZ/IIID2Z interceptor
 
-
*Dassault Mirage IIIEZ multirole/strike fighter
 
-
*Dassault Mirage IIIRZ/IIIR2Z reconnaissance aircraft
 
-
*Dassault Mirage F1AZ/CZ attack aircraft
 
-
*English Electric Canberra B(I) 12 bomber
 
-
*English Electric Canberra T Mk 4 trainer
 
-
*Hawker Siddeley HS-125 400B Mercurius trainer
 
-
*Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S Mk50 attack aircraft
 
-
*Lockheed C-130F Hercules tanker transport
 
-
*Pilatus PC-6 Porter utility aircraft
 
-
*Piper PA-23 Aztec 250 utility aircraft
 
-
*Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140 utility aircraft
 
-
*Sud Aviation SE-3160/B Alouette III light utility helicopter
 
-
*Sud Aviation SA-321L Super Frelon heavy transport helicopter
 
-
*Sud Aviation SA-330C/H/L Puma utility helicopter
 
-
*Transall C-160Z transport
 
-
*Vickers Armstrong 781D Viscount transport
 
-
*Westland Scout light utility helicopter
 
-
*Westland Wasp HAS 1 ASW helicopter
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
==Organization==
 
-
* South African Air Force Central Command
 
-
** Aerial Support Command
 
-
** Long-Range Aviation Command
 
-
** [[South African Air Force#Air Defense Forces|Air Defense Forces]]
 
-
** Military Transport Aviation Command
 
-
** Support Command
 
-
** Reserve and Cadre Training Command
 
-
 
-
===Frontal Aviation Command===
 
-
The Frontal Aviation Command is responsible for providing tactical support to the other branches of the armed forces. It is tasked with defending ground forces from aerial attack, providing close air support, and interdicting enemy forces.
 
-
 
-
===Long-Range Aviation Command===
 
-
The Long-Range Aviation Command is an intercontinental nuclear strike force which provides South Africa's strategic nuclear threat.
 
-
 
-
===Air Defense Forces===
 
-
The Air Defense Forces are charged with defense against enemy air attack. The Air Defense Forces include missile, air force, and radio-technical units and an air defense army. There are a total of 30 ADF battalions.
 
-
 
-
===Military Transport Aviation Command===
 
-
The Military Transport and Aviation Command provides transportation for the other services of the armed forces. It operates a large variety of aircraft to accomplish this mission.
 
-
 
-
===Support Command===
 
-
Support Command provides the facilities on which the other commands operate, as well as support in such areas as maintenance and engineering. It also provides support in the form of special operations, such as search and rescue missions.
 
-
 
-
===Reserve and Cadre Training Command===
 
-
The Reserve and Cadre Training Command is responsible for training personnel of the SAAF. It operates two training regiments equipped with over 200 operational and training aircraft of various types.
 
-
 
-
==Aircraft==
 
-
===Fighters===
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighters
 
-
** 2 squadrons of JAS 39C fighters (NATO-compatible version)
 
-
** 1 squadron of JAS 39D fighters (two-seat variant)
 
-
** 1 squadron of JAS 39E fighters (increased fuel capacity, upgraded avionics, and other improvements)
 
-
* 2 squadrons of Dassault Rafale multirole fighters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Rafale B fighters (two-seat variant)
 
-
** 1 squadron of Rafale C fighters (single-seat version)
 
-
* 8 squadrons of Dassault Mirage 2000 multirole fighters
 
-
** 5 squadrons of Mirage 2000D fighter-bombers
 
-
** 3 squadrons of Mirage 2000N nuclear strike aircraft
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Atlas Cheetah fighters
 
-
** 3 squadrons of Cheetah C fighters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Cheetah E fighters
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Dassault Mirage F1 fighters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Mirage F-1A ground attack fighters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Mirage F-1E all-weather multirole fighers
 
-
** 1 squadron of Mirage F1CR reconnaissance fighters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Mirage F1CT tactical ground attack fighters
 
-
* 2 squadrons of Dassault Mirage III interceptor aircraft
 
-
* 2 squadrons of Dassault Mirage IV supersonic strategic bombers
 
-
* 1 squadron of Impala I ground attack aircraft
 
-
* 1 squadron of SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack aircraft
 
-
 
-
===Transport aircraft===
 
-
* 1 squadron of Boeing KC-777 tanker transports
 
-
* 7 squadrons of Lockheed C-130 Hercules transports
 
-
** 5 squadrons of C-130B Hercules transports
 
-
** 2 squadrons of C-130J Super Hercules transports
 
-
* 2 squadron of Airbus A400M long-range military transports
 
-
* 5 squadrons of CASA CN-235 medium-range transports
 
-
* 6 squadrons of Transall C-160 transports
 
-
* 15 flights of Cessna 208 short-haul regional airliners
 
-
* 45 flights of Pilatus PC-12 passenger/cargo aircraft
 
-
* 1 VIP squadron
 
-
** 4 Cessna 550/551 Citation II business jets
 
-
** 10 Dassault Falcon 900B business jets
 
-
 
-
===Helicopters===
 
-
* 3 squadron of Aérospatiale Alouette III light utility helicopters
 
-
* 3 squadron of Aérospatiale Puma utility helicopters
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Agusta A109 search and rescue/utility helicopters
 
-
** 2 squadrons of A109LUH light utility helicopters
 
-
** 1 squadron of A109 A109A Mk.II MAX aeromedical evacuation helicopters
 
-
** 1 squadron of A109K2 search and rescue/air ambulance helicopters
 
-
* 5 squadrons of Atlas Oryx medium utility helicopters
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Bell 206 multipurpose utility helicopters
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Bell 412 multipurpose utility helicopters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Bell Griffin HT1 advanced training helicopters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Bell Griffin HAR2 search and rescue helicopters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Agusta-Bell AB 412 civil utility transport helicopters
 
-
** 1 squadron of Agusta-Bell AB 412 Grifone military utility transport helicopters
 
-
* 5 squadrons of MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 medium utility/transport helicopters
 
-
* 3 squadrons of CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift cargo helicopters
 
-
* 6 squadrons of Westland Scout general purpose light helicopters
 
-
 
-
===Utility aircraft===
 
-
* 4 squadrons of Beechcraft Super King Air 200 civil utility aircraft
 
-
* 2 squadrons of Cessna 185 light utility aircraft
 
-
* 2 squadrons of Cessna 208 turboprop utility aircraft
 
-
* 2 squadrons of Pilatus PC-6 STOL utility aircraft
 
-
 
-
===Training aircraft===
 
-
* 14 Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainers
 
-
* 114 Impala II two-seat jet trainers
 
-
* 24 BAE Hawk Mk 120 lead in fighter trainers
 
-
* 60 Pilatus PC-7 Mk 2 trainers
 
-
* 14 Atlas Cheetah D trainers
 
-
* 30 Beech Super King Air 350 multi-engine/navigation trainers
 
-
* 130 T-6 Texan II trainers
 
-
 
-
==Weapons==
 
===Missiles===
===Missiles===
-
====Surface-to-surface====
+
*A-Darter (air-to-air)
-
* 5 squadrons of  RSA-I1 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (15 transporter erector launchers per squadron)
+
*Ingwe (anti-tank)
-
* 10 squadrons of RSA-I2 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (15 transporter erector launchers per squadron)
+
*Mokopa (air-to-ground)
-
 
+
*R-Darter (air-to-air)
-
====Surface-to-air====
+
-
* Crotale
+
-
* FIM-92 Stinger
+
-
* M1097 Avenger
+
-
* MIM-23 Hawk
+
-
* MIM-104 Patriot
+
-
* Mistral
+
-
* Umkhonto
+
-
 
+
-
====Air-to-surface====
+
-
* AASM
+
-
* AGM-65 Maverick
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-
* AM 39 Exocet
+
-
* MBDA Apache
+
-
* RBS15
+
-
* Storm Shadow
+
-
 
+
-
====Air-to-air====
+
-
* AIM-9 Sidewinder
+
-
* AIM-92 Stinger
+
-
* AIM-120 AMRAAM
+
-
* AIM-152 AAAM
+
-
* MBDA Meteor
+
-
* MBDA MICA
+
-
* R550 Magic
+
-
 
+
-
===Bombs===
+
-
* AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
+
-
* AGM-62 Walleye
+
-
* CBU-100 Cluster Bomb
+
-
* CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon
+
-
* CBU-24
+
-
* CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition
+
-
* CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon
+
-
* GBU-37 GPS-Aided Munition
+
-
* GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
+
-
* GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb
+
-
* Mark 82 General-Purpose Bomb
+
-
* Mark 83 General-Purpose Bomb
+
-
* Mark 84 General-Purpose Bomb
+
-
* Paveway IV Laser-Guided Bomb
+
-
 
+
-
==Air Defense Forces==
+
-
===Units===
+
-
1st Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>2nd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>3rd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>4th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>5th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>6th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>7th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>8th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>9th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>10th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>11th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>12th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>13th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>14th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>15th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>16th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>17th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>18th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>19th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>20th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>21st Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>22nd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>23rd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>24th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>25th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>26th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>27th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>28th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>29th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>30th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
====List of units by province====
+
-
=====Cape Province=====
+
-
1st Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>2nd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>25th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>26th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>27th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Orange Free State=====
+
-
3rd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>4th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>20th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>21st Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>22nd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Transvaal=====
+
-
5th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>6th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>16th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>17th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>18th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Natal=====
+
-
7th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>8th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>9th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>10th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>12th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====South-West Africa=====
+
-
23rd Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>24th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Rhodesia=====
+
-
11th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>19th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Botswana=====
+
-
14th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>29th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Lesotho=====
+
-
13th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>15th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
=====Swaziland=====
+
-
28th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
<br>30th Air Defense Forces Battalion
+
-
 
+
-
===Equipment===
+
-
====Individual weapons====
+
-
* R4 assault rifle
+
-
** R5 carbine
+
-
** R6 mini-assault rifle
+
-
* Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle
+
-
* Vektor SS-77 general purpose machine gun
+
-
* BXP submachine gun
+
-
* FN Minimi light machine gun
+
-
* Milkor MGL semi-automatic grenade launcher
+
-
* RBS 70 MANPADS
+
-
* Armsel Striker shotgun
+
-
* Vektor Z88 pistol
+
-
* Denel NTW-20 20mm sniper rifle
+
-
* Galat'z designated marksman rifle
+
-
* Accuracy International Arctic Warfare folding sniper rifle
+
-
* Starstreak lightweight multiple launcher
+
-
 
+
-
====Armored vehicles====
+
-
* ERC 20
+
-
* CV9040 AAV
+
-
* M6 Linebacker
+
-
* Wiesel 2 BF/UF
+
-
* Wiesel 2 AFF
+
-
* Wiesel 2 Ozelot
+
-
* LAV-AD
+
-
* Sisu XA-181
+
-
* M1097 Avenger Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System
+
-
* MIM-72/M48 Chaparral Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System
+
-
* Air Defense Anti-Tank System
+
-
 
+
-
====Artillery====
+
-
* M167 Vulcan air defense gun
+
-
* Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft gun
+
-
* Oerlikon 35mm anti-aircraft gun
+
-
* Skysweeper 75mm anti-aircraft gun
+
[[Category:Air forces]]
[[Category:Air forces]]
[[Category:South African Defence Force|Air Force, South African]]
[[Category:South African Defence Force|Air Force, South African]]

Revision as of 13:18, 11 July 2008

South African Air Force
Active 1912 -
Country South Africa
Branch Air Force
Motto Per Aspera Ad Astra
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief State President Festus Mogae
Commander Lieutenant General Abel Mawere

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of the Republic 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 SAAF 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. Each province holds at least one major SAAF base, and the SAAF's aircraft inventory is divided fairly evenly among the provinces.

Currently, the SAAF employs over 25,000 personnel and operates over 500 aircraft.

Contents

Units

Squadrons

  • 1 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
  • 2 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
  • 3 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
  • 4 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH)
  • 5 Squadron (CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235)
  • 6 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A, Agusta A109 LUH)
  • 7 Squadron (SA-321L Super Frelon)
  • 8 Squadron (JAS 39 Gripen C/D)
  • 11 Squadron (SA-330C/H/L Puma, SE-3160/B Alouette III)
  • 12 Squadron (SA-330C/H/L Puma, SE-3160/B Alouette III)
  • 15 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A, Agusta A109 LUH)
  • 16 Squadron (Denel AH-2 Rooivalk)
  • 17 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH)
  • 19 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH)
  • 21 Squadron (Boeing BBJ, Cessna Citation I, Dassault Falcon 50, Dassault Falcon 900)
  • 22 Squadron (Atlas Oryx, Westland Super Lynx 300)
  • 24 Squadron (SA-321L Super Frelon)
  • 25 Squadron (CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185)
  • 27 Squadron (Lockheed C-130B/BZ/F Hercules)
  • 28 Squadron (Lockheed C-130B/BZ/F Hercules)
  • 35 Squadron (C-47TP)
  • 40 Squadron (Transall C-160Z, 781D Viscount)
  • 41 Squadron (Cessna Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, Beechcraft 200C Super King Air)
  • 42 Squadron (Denel AH-2 Rooivalk, Westland Super Lynx 300)
  • 44 Squadron (CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna 185)
  • 60 Squadron (Airbus A400M)
  • 80 Air Navigation School (C-47TP, Cessna Caravan, PC-7 Mk II Astra)
  • 85 Combat Flying School (BAe Hawk LIFT)
  • 87 Helicopter Flying School (Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109 LUH, BK 117A)
  • Central Flying School (Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra)
  • Test Flight and Development Centre (various aircraft on test)
  • SAAF Flight Museum (various historical aircraft including Douglas C-47 Dakota, North American Mustang, North American Harvard, Avro Shackleton, Canadair Sabre, de Havilland Vampire, Dassault Mirage III, Dassault Mirage F1 and Aérospatiale Alouette II)

Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing

  • 18 Deployment Support Unit - provides logistic support to units on deployment (at temporary air bases, etc.)
  • Mobile Communications Unit - provides mobile communications to deployed units
  • 140 Squadron - provides deployable 3D long range radar services to SAAF units
  • 142 Squadron - provides deployable tactical mobile radar services to SAAF units
  • 500 Security Squadron - (SAAF Task Force) Mobile security services to deployed forces, etc.

Reserves

Air Force Conventional Reserves

A pool of reserve posts were created to serve the SAAF and augment regular units as and when needed. All trades in the SAAF are represented in the reserves, e.g. pilots, security squadron personnel, etc.

Air Force Territorial Reserve

Currently consists of nine squadrons of privately owned aircraft operated by reserve pilots on behalf of the SAAF.

  • 101 Squadron
  • 102 Squadron
  • 104 Squadron
  • 105 Squadron
  • 106 Squadron
  • 107 Squadron
  • 108 Squadron
  • 110 Squadron
  • 111 Squadron

These squadrons fulfill a very valuable role in light transport and observation, especially due to low direct operating costs.

Equipment

Aircraft

  • Agusta A109LUH utility helicopter
  • Airbus A400M transport aircraft
  • Atlas Oryx utility helicopter
  • BAE Hawk 120/LIFT trainer
  • Beechcraft Super King Air 200 utility aircraft
  • Boeing 737-7ED BBJ VIP transport
  • 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 utility aircraft
  • Dassault Falcon 50 transport
  • Dassault Falcon 900B transport
  • Denel AH-2A Rooivalk attack helicopter
  • Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain III & IV transport
  • Douglas C-47TP Turbo Dakota transport
  • Lockheed C-130B Hercules transport
  • Lockheed C-130BZ Hercules transport
  • MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A utility/transport helicopter
  • Pilatus PC-7 Mk2 Astra trainer
  • Pilatus PC-12 utility aircraft
  • Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen multirole fighter
  • Westland Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter

Missiles

  • A-Darter (air-to-air)
  • Ingwe (anti-tank)
  • Mokopa (air-to-ground)
  • R-Darter (air-to-air)
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