Air Force Day Parade at Swartkop
Date: 1 February 2008
The annual Air force Day Parade was held on the first of February 2008 at the Swartkops Airfield near Pretoria.
The Unofficial SAAF website representative Pierre Laubscher reports on the days activities.
All delegates and guests where welcomed and the day was opened with a prayer and an Introduction to Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano SM, MMM, followed by the General Salute and salute flight with a Lone Astra.
The Code of Conduct for uniformed members of the SA armed services was read by Lieutenant General Gagiano.
The mass fly-past displayed the derivatives of aircraft that the SA Air force currently uses for a variety of missions in South Africa as well as Africa.
The first Planes to fly over were the Hawk MK 120 and Cheetah in the SA flag colours flowed by Three Augusta A109 and a single BK 117, close behind came four Oryx's flanked by two Rooivalk Attack Helicopters.
For those nostalgia's amongst us the sight of four C47TP Dakotas brought back some memories, these where fitted with Turbine engines and the roar of those old radials was sadly missing, but the crowd was still left with a feeling of wonder.
A little more on the tame side were the Caravan 208's and the CASA 212 Aviocars, but no less important as these fill a very important logistical role.
The Astra's used for the SAAF's ab-initio training, have become a familiar and much loved sight at Airshows around the country performed by the Silver Falcons.
Never failing to impress with their size a feeling of brute power where the two C130BZ Hercules of 28 Squadron.
Filling the role of VIP transports where the Dassault Falcon 50 and 900B.
Then came a tight formation of six Hawk Mk120's followed by seven very impressive Cheetahs.
This concluded the fly past.
It was time for the Inspection of the ceremonial wing and the march past in columns of flights accompanied by a very good Air force marching band and the General Salute.
Then the moment that many of the squadrons had worked for all year, the Presentation of awards.
The Air force prestige unit of the year for 2007 went to Air force base Ysterplaat for the second year running.
Other Awards where:
The South African Air Force Aviation Safety Award:
Gold went to 22 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat), Silver went to AFB Ysterplaat and Bronze went to 2 Squadron (AFB Makhado).
The Royal Air Force Training Award:
Gold went to Bushveld Airspace Control Sector (Air Command), Silver went to 2 Air Servicing Unit (AFB Ysterplaat), and Bronze went to Air Force Command and Control School (AFB Hoedspruit).
Fire & Rescue Services of the Year:
Gold went to AFB Langebaanweg, Silver to AFB Bloemspruit and Bronze to AFB Ysterplaat.
Air Force Protection Squadron of the Year:
Gold went to 525 Squadron (AFB Overberg) and Silver to 505 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat).
Air Force Reserve Squadron of the Year:
Gold went to 111 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof), Silver to 104 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof) and Bronze to 102 Squadron (AFB Makhado).
Air Force Support Unit of the Year:
Gold went to Air Publication Service Centre (AFB Waterkloof)
Air Force Air Servicing Unit of the Year:
Gold went to 2 ASU (AFB Langebaanweg), Silver to 6 ASU (AFB Bloemspruit) and Bronze to 5 ASU (AFB Waterkloof).
Air Command Directorate of the Year:
Gold went to Directorate Technical Support Services and Silver to Directorate Aviation Safety.
Air Force Operational Support Unit of the Year:
Gold went ot Lowveld Airspace Control Sector (AFB Hoedspruit) and Silver to Mobile Communications Unit (Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing).
Air Force Training Unit of the Year:
Gold went to 80 Air Navigation School (AFB Ysterplaat), Silver to Air Force Command and Control School (AFB Hoedspruit) and Bronze to SAAF College.
Air Force Permanent Flying Unit of the Year:
Gold went to 15 Squadron (AFB Durban), Silver to 22 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat) and Bronze to 35 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat)
Air Force Base of the Year:
Gold went to AFB Ysterplaat, Silver to AFB Makhado and Bronze to AFB Langebaanweg.
Air Force Sword of Peace:
Gold went to 15 Squadron (AFB Durban) and Silver to 17 Squadron (AFB Waterkloof).
The address by the Chief of the South Africa Air Force highlighted the missions completed in the last year by the SAAF in South Africa and around the African continent, these ranged from training, maritime patrol, recue missions to peace keeping roles and joined training operations with international Air Forces.
Of great importance was the Chief statement about facing a great problem in competing with the public sector and that the armed forces are struggling not only to retain their skilled members but in recruiting new skilled members due to budget constraints.
He said that the Air Force and Armed Forces in general need to focus on skills development in the years to come and find ways to attract and retain skilled members.
A limitation in the defense budgets also presents a range of problems, this means that the Air Force does not have the capability to fly enough sorties needed to stay in top operation form.
The grand finale was the Air capability display, if there where any concerns regarding this event and incidents, these where soon alleviated by a professional exhibit by the Air Force and Army.
First where the Pathfinders with a freefall from a C47TP leading the way and securing the battle arena for the Paratroops from 44 Parachute regiment doing low level static hop n pops from C130's C47 TP's and a Casa, followed by a supply drop from the Casa's.
During this there was a barrage of smoke grenades and simulated mortar and artillery attacks on the enemy positions.
Two C130's did short approaches and landings with ground force reinforcements and mobile units.
Air support came in the form of Rooivalk attack helicopters laying down machine gun fire into the enemy, and securing the airspace around the battle field with simulated air to ground missiles and spectacular explosions, these where supported from a higher altitude by jet fighters.
Further reinforcements where flown in with Augusta and Oryx helicopters and not to be outdone the special forces abseiled from an Oryx helicopter lending fire support to the existing ground forces and promptly securing and setting a defensive perimeter around their combat zone.
As with any battle scenario casualties are a part of military operations, and casualty evacuation was supplied by the Augusta A109's.
The battle was won and the display was brought to an end with a lone Hercules displaying its counter measure flares.
The display was a great success with no incidents as it was well coordinated and executed, if this is an example of what we can deliver with a limited budget imagine what can be done with a greater one.
