SA pilots 'shot down nine aircraft'

The following is a rough translation from an Afrikaans article in Beeld:

James-Brent Styan

The South African Air Force has trained four fighter pilots during the past year.

It takes ten years to a fighter pilot fully trained. The basic training lasts three years, Major-General Tsoku Khumalo, the Air Force Director of Force Preparation said.

The Air Force has accepted the last four of their new Gripen fighter aircraft. This brings the number of Gripens in the Air Force's 2 Squadron to 26 Gripens. The new Gripens are being transported by ship to South Africa where they will be stationed at AFB Makhado in Limpopo.

A delegation from 2 Squadron recently completed a multi-national exercise of Gripens in Sweden.

Khumalo said South Africa was one of six countries that participated in the exercise, Operation Lion Effort.

"The Air Force sent 41 members, including 18 technicians and nine pilots."

Colone. Pierre Venter, head of the delegation, said the Air Force gave a very good job.

"South African fighter pilots led some of the training combat sessions".

For example, Colonel Gys van der Walt, lep up to 27 Gripens at a time in a fighter simulations. This experience can only benefit the Air Force. "

South African fighter pilots shot down nine other aircraft in the simulation exercises, while only one South African fighter plane was shot down.

Venter said the Gripen is an ideal aircraft for South Africa.

"Where in the past we needed ten aircraft technicians for the old Cheetahs, only two people care for a Gripen."

Venter said the Air Force flew its Gripens on a rotation basis to ensure that all aircraft remained operational.

"One aircraft can not be stationary for long. Therefore we use the best aircraft and pilots with our limited budget. "