Clipping of wings ends SAAF's role in Antarctic
Date: 6 December 2001
The SAAF has pulled out of South Africa's research programme in the Antarctic, ending 22 years of involvement.
The SA National Antarctic Programme, run by the Department of Envoronmental Affairs and Tourism, has had to contract a provate company, CHC Helicopters, to take over the tasks that were carried out by the SAAF. Initially two SA330J Pumas, owned by the Department, were used, but when the Puma was withdrawn from the SAAf, two Oryx were converted for Antarctic use. An SAAF spokesman the only non-military functions the air force could continue to perform were transporting VIP's, fire-fighting and humanitarian aid.
The helicopters, taken to the Antarctic on board the SA Algulhas, ferried geologists and other researchers to study sites in the Antarctic, took staff from the ship to the research base about 180km inland, and offloaded equipment from the ship onto the ice. CHC is to send a team of three pilots and two technicians and is to provide a Bell 212 and a Bell LongRanger helicopter.
Volunteers will be sought to run the tiny pub on board the SA Algulhas that had been manned by the air force crew.
