Helicopter pilot takes over hot seat
Date: 19 June 2012
Kim Helfrich
COME October a helicopter pilot will move into the hot seat as SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief.
Major General Fabian "Zakes" Msimang takes over from Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano to become the fifth SAAF boss since democracy and the 21st since the second oldest air force in the world was established in 1920.
Msimang was an MK member and saw combat in Angola in 1986. Post integration into the SA National Defence Force in 1994 he has been an operational pilot with both inland and maritime helicopter squadrons. He has also served as military liaison officer on a number of occasions.
When he joined democratic South Africa's military he brought with him flying competency certification on Mi8 and Mi25 Russian-made helicopters. While in the SAAF he flew Alouette 111 and Oryx and also has a factory conversion on the Agusta(SUBS:CORR) A109E to his credit. This was completed while he was assistant project officer for the SAAF's new light utility helicopter acquisition in Italy.
Also in Italy Msimang did the senior staff course at the Italian Air Force War School in 2002 before successfully completing the joint senior command and staff programme at the SA War College in Pretoria the following year.
In 2003 he was made Officer Commanding of Helicopter Flying School at AFB Bloemspruit. Two years later he assumed command of the base, the SAAF's helicopter centre of excellence, with the rank of colonel. In 2006 Msimang completed the Executive National Security programme at the SANDF College.
A four-and-a-half year tour as boss of the Free State air base ended when he was made director: helicopter systems and moved to SAAF headquarters in Pretoria with the rank of brigadier general. He has since been promoted to major general as chief director: air policy and plans. This saw him responsible for air force strategy, policies, capabilities and resource allocation.
All five Air Force chiefs since 1994 has been fighter pilots with Lieutenant General Dennis Earp, SAAF Chief from 1984 to 1988, the last helicopter pilot to be the country's military aviation chief.
Gagiano laves as the second longest serving chief of the SAAF with only its founding senior office Col Sir Pierre van Ryneveld having been in the position longer. He served for 17 years while Gagiano will have a seven year tenure to his name when he retires.
Source: New Age
