NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
3 April 2009
SAAF considering A400M alternative
General
The South African Air Force will shortly start considering alternatives to the Airbus A400M Loadmaster military air transport.
3 April 2009
Rooivalk set for first operational deployment
General
The Rooivalk attack helicopter will make its operational debut in two months time when it will be among a range of SAAF assets deployed to safeguard the FIFA Confederations Cup.
31 March 2009
Transalls get the final chop
General
The on again, off again saga of the disposal of the SAAF C-160Z Transall cargo aircraft has finally reached a conclusion with the scrapping and destruction of the eight remaining airframes.
30 March 2009
Navy Festival 2009
General
The SA Navy held its annual Navy Festival at Simon's Town from Friday 27 March to Sunday 29 March 2009. Dean Wingrin reports.
20 March 2009
AFB Ysterplaat Running & Walking For Peace
General
Members of AFB Ysterplaat participated in a beach walk/run and clean-up activity.
19 March 2009
Hawk incident update
General
Adding to our previous report, it now appears that the Hawk experienced a dragchute failure on a wet runway while landing at night.
19 March 2009
Hawk incident at Swartkop
General
A Hawk performed a wheels-up landing at Swartkop this morning.
19 March 2009
Crisis at SAAF Flight School
General
Landings by two students at the Air Force's Central Flying School over the course of four days went so wrong that three training aircraft may have to be written off.
17 March 2009
Sale of aircraft in jeopardy
General
The sale of approximately 10 Cessna 185 aircraft may be in jeopardy after the service records were burnt over three years ago.
5 March 2009
New OC for AFCP
General
Brig Gen Les Lombard has taken over command of the Air Force Command Post (AFCP) from Brig Gen Anton Kriegler.
28 February 2009
Tenders awarded during February
General
Armscor issued a number of tenders relating to the SAAF during February 2009.
22 February 2009
Friday 13th: lucky for A-Darter
General
Denel's A-Darter agile air-toair missile began flight tests on 13 February, paralleling ongoing seeker head trials.
13 February 2009
Dangerously neglected
General
Soldiers, airmen and sailors will find little comfort in the budget - though a few areas have been favoured.
11 February 2009
Defence budget up
General
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has boosted defence spending from R28 233 billion to R32 024 billion, or some R2.1 billion more than it was set to receive under previous estimates.
9 February 2009
SAAF choppers corner thieves
General
Bredasdorp police officers intent on arresting a trio of suspected criminals ensured they had no place to hide by calling in the SA Air Force to help hunt them down.
31 January 2009
A plan to keep SA airborne
General
Lt-Gen Carlo Gagiano is a man with a mission. The SAAF is hobbled by a crippling skills shortage and the chief of the air force knows exactly how he is going to fix it.
31 January 2009
Recent tenders issued
General
Armscor issued a number of tenders relating to the SAAF during December 2008 and January 2009.
30 January 2009
Air Force Day Parade
General
The annual Air Force Day Parade was held today at the Swartkop airfield near Pretoria, during which the Prestige Awards winners received their trophies.
28 January 2009
Air force seeks co-operation to fill skills gap
General
THE South African Air Force is to team up with private sector players, including airline group Comair and defence company Denel, in a bid to alleviate its severe skills shortage.
26 January 2009
SAAF expresses concern over A400M Loadmaster delays
General
The Chief of the South African Air Force says he is concerned about reports that Airbus’ military transport programme is facing delay and adds he hopes the A400M Loadmaster programme can be brought back on track.
19 January 2009
Air Force Day Parade (Swartkop - 30 Jan 2009)
General
The SAAF will be celebrating its 89th birthday with an Air Force Day Parade and fly past.
12 January 2009
Russian nuclear cruiser docks in the Cape
General
The Russian nuclear powered battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great) docked in Table Bay Harbour yesterday afternoon.
13 December 2008
End of year message from the Unofficial SAAF Website
General
As yet another year draws to a close, one tends to reflect on the events of the past year and wonder: Just were did the time go and what has been achieved?
11 December 2008
New Boss for Ysterplaat
General
AFB Ysterplaat was the venue for a ceremonial parade to welcome the incoming OCs of AFB Ysterplaat and 505 Squadron as well as the change of office of the RSM.
11 December 2008
SAAF to participate in airshows?
General
There is a possibility that the SAAF will indeed participate at airshows during 2009.
SAAF considering A400M alternative
General
The South African Air Force will shortly start considering alternatives to the Airbus A400M Loadmaster military air transport.
Rooivalk set for first operational deployment
General
The Rooivalk attack helicopter will make its operational debut in two months time when it will be among a range of SAAF assets deployed to safeguard the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Transalls get the final chop
General
The on again, off again saga of the disposal of the SAAF C-160Z Transall cargo aircraft has finally reached a conclusion with the scrapping and destruction of the eight remaining airframes.
Navy Festival 2009
General
The SA Navy held its annual Navy Festival at Simon's Town from Friday 27 March to Sunday 29 March 2009. Dean Wingrin reports.
AFB Ysterplaat Running & Walking For Peace
General
Members of AFB Ysterplaat participated in a beach walk/run and clean-up activity.
Hawk incident update
General
Adding to our previous report, it now appears that the Hawk experienced a dragchute failure on a wet runway while landing at night.
Hawk incident at Swartkop
General
A Hawk performed a wheels-up landing at Swartkop this morning.
Crisis at SAAF Flight School
General
Landings by two students at the Air Force's Central Flying School over the course of four days went so wrong that three training aircraft may have to be written off.
Sale of aircraft in jeopardy
General
The sale of approximately 10 Cessna 185 aircraft may be in jeopardy after the service records were burnt over three years ago.
New OC for AFCP
General
Brig Gen Les Lombard has taken over command of the Air Force Command Post (AFCP) from Brig Gen Anton Kriegler.
Tenders awarded during February
General
Armscor issued a number of tenders relating to the SAAF during February 2009.
Friday 13th: lucky for A-Darter
General
Denel's A-Darter agile air-toair missile began flight tests on 13 February, paralleling ongoing seeker head trials.
Dangerously neglected
General
Soldiers, airmen and sailors will find little comfort in the budget - though a few areas have been favoured.
Defence budget up
General
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has boosted defence spending from R28 233 billion to R32 024 billion, or some R2.1 billion more than it was set to receive under previous estimates.
SAAF choppers corner thieves
General
Bredasdorp police officers intent on arresting a trio of suspected criminals ensured they had no place to hide by calling in the SA Air Force to help hunt them down.
A plan to keep SA airborne
General
Lt-Gen Carlo Gagiano is a man with a mission. The SAAF is hobbled by a crippling skills shortage and the chief of the air force knows exactly how he is going to fix it.
Recent tenders issued
General
Armscor issued a number of tenders relating to the SAAF during December 2008 and January 2009.
Air Force Day Parade
General
The annual Air Force Day Parade was held today at the Swartkop airfield near Pretoria, during which the Prestige Awards winners received their trophies.
Air force seeks co-operation to fill skills gap
General
THE South African Air Force is to team up with private sector players, including airline group Comair and defence company Denel, in a bid to alleviate its severe skills shortage.
SAAF expresses concern over A400M Loadmaster delays
General
The Chief of the South African Air Force says he is concerned about reports that Airbus’ military transport programme is facing delay and adds he hopes the A400M Loadmaster programme can be brought back on track.
Air Force Day Parade (Swartkop - 30 Jan 2009)
General
The SAAF will be celebrating its 89th birthday with an Air Force Day Parade and fly past.
Russian nuclear cruiser docks in the Cape
General
The Russian nuclear powered battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great) docked in Table Bay Harbour yesterday afternoon.
End of year message from the Unofficial SAAF Website
General
As yet another year draws to a close, one tends to reflect on the events of the past year and wonder: Just were did the time go and what has been achieved?
New Boss for Ysterplaat
General
AFB Ysterplaat was the venue for a ceremonial parade to welcome the incoming OCs of AFB Ysterplaat and 505 Squadron as well as the change of office of the RSM.
SAAF to participate in airshows?
General
There is a possibility that the SAAF will indeed participate at airshows during 2009.
