NEWS & EVENTS - PERSONNEL
1 April 2026
New SAAF Chief to build on foundation for next 100 years
Personnel
In a media briefing shortly after taking command of the SAAF at a Change of Command parade in Pretoria on Tuesday, Lt Gen Carl Moatshe stressed that he would focus on skills development to build the Space Command established by his predecessor, Lt Gen Wis
27 March 2026
Moatshe is new SAAF Chief
Personnel
Come the fourth month of 2026 on Wednesday (1 April), newly minted Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe takes over as SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief from Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, who is retiring on 31 March.
26 March 2026
New Chief of the SAAF Named
Personnel
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has named the new Chief of the Airforce (CAF).
3 November 2025
First solo flights logged by SAAF’s Pilot Wings Course 130
Personnel
The ten-strong Pilot Wings Course (PWC) at Air Force Base (AFB) Langebaanweg have taken to the skies for their first solo flight, marking another milestone en route to the coveted full brevet.
21 October 2025
SAAF technical corps numbers boosted
Personnel
The air support component of the SAAF can now call on 24 new additions to its technical artisan corps following what is termed “a reclassification parade” at 68 Air School in Centurion.
13 October 2025
Heaviest SAAF losses in WWII remembered
Personnel
The sacrifices and bravery of members of 31 and 34 squadrons of the SAAF who died in the Italian Alps in 1944 while dropping supplies to the Italian partisans in the Po Valley 81 years ago, have been remembered at a service in Pretoria.
7 October 2025
Air allowances for helo flight engineers seemingly coming back
Personnel
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga intimated in response to a Parliamentary question the thorny issue of flight allowances for SAAF flight engineers could be remedied.
8 September 2025
Bravery of Poles and SA airmen in 1944 Warsaw Uprising remembered
Personnel
The Polish people who fought heroically during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, and the bravery of the South African aircrews who undertook to resupply the Polish resistance during the 63-day airlift in World War Two, have been remembered at the Katyn Memoria
2 September 2025
Instructors Course 01/23 " A Journey of Two Years
Personnel
Two years, sleepless nights, countless hours in the air and on the ground, and now the chapter has finally closed. Instructors Course 01/23 was more than just a qualification; it was a test of endurance, patience, and growth.
15 August 2025
SANDF launches landmark Joint Basic Military Training for 11 000 new recruits
Personnel
The SANDF will this month boost its personnel by 11 000 in a major Military Skills Development System (MSDS) intake to put more " trained " boots on the ground.
5 August 2025
Sandu successful in fight for SAAF firefighters’ incentive allowance
Personnel
More than three years ago SAAF firefighters lost their technical competency-based incentive pay (TCIP) due to what the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) called “a military dispensation”.
21 July 2025
Pilot Wings Course 130 Reaches Milestone
Personnel
After 15 months of waiting, the South African Air Force (SAAF) Pilot Wings Course (PWC 130) students have achieved a significant milestone by completing their first flight.
18 July 2025
New award added to SAAF prestige list
Personnel
There’s another award for SAAF personnel to strive for " the Free the Eagle Innovation trophy " aimed at encouraging out-of-the-box thinking leading to innovations that will “propel” the airborne service of the SANDF forward.
3 June 2025
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
Personnel
A brewing crisis within the SAAF is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF’s most vital aircraft.
20 May 2025
Two hundred thousand plus apply for five thousand MSDS slots
Personnel
The proverbial jury is and probably will remain out on whether patriotism or a need for gainful employment drives the massive number of applications to become SANDF Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits.
18 February 2025
SANDF makes 2026 MSDS application forms available
Personnel
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) applications for 2026, allowing young and deserving South Africans the chance to join the military on a two-year contract.
31 January 2025
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
Personnel
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day " better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day " will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
27 December 2024
New SAAF Deputy Chief
Personnel
Come Wednesday 1 January Major General Lancelot Mathebula will add the post of SA Air Force (SAAF) Deputy Chief to his current duties as project leader of the fledgling SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command.
22 December 2024
SA Air Force clips wings of local cadets training in Cuba
Personnel
Air force cadets will no longer be trained in Cuba after the SA Air Force (SAAF) officially terminated its agreement with the government of that country.
28 November 2024
SAAF adds 40 technical ground crew to personnel strength
Personnel
The ground crew component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is 40 artisans better off following official reclassification as artisans.
29 August 2024
New bosses for AFB Bloemspruit units
Personnel
Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, the SA Air Force (SAAF) helicopter centre of excellence, has new commanders for its two flying units.
27 July 2024
Korean War participants honoured
Personnel
27 July 2024 marks the 71st Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, a war many refer to as “a forgotten war”. The South Korean Embassy hosted a memorial event on Friday 26 July 2024, honouring those who answered the United Nations’ call to aid South Kore
27 May 2024
The Soaring Spirit of Excellence: Wings Parade 2024
Personnel
The Wings Parade held on 23 May 2024, at the Air Force Base Langebaanweg Central Flying School was a momentous occasion, celebrating the achievements of the South African Air Force's finest.
20 May 2024
SAAF Memorial service held despite vandalism
Personnel
The annual South African Air Force Memorial service has been held at the Bays Hill memorial, north of the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing, formerly known as Swartkop Air Force Base, despite extensive vandalism done last year.
27 February 2024
SAAF shuts down HQ building due to ventilation problems
Personnel
Due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions caused by malfunctioning ventilation systems, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is temporarily closing its headquarters building in Pretoria.
New SAAF Chief to build on foundation for next 100 years
Personnel
In a media briefing shortly after taking command of the SAAF at a Change of Command parade in Pretoria on Tuesday, Lt Gen Carl Moatshe stressed that he would focus on skills development to build the Space Command established by his predecessor, Lt Gen Wis
Moatshe is new SAAF Chief
Personnel
Come the fourth month of 2026 on Wednesday (1 April), newly minted Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe takes over as SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief from Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, who is retiring on 31 March.
New Chief of the SAAF Named
Personnel
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has named the new Chief of the Airforce (CAF).
First solo flights logged by SAAF’s Pilot Wings Course 130
Personnel
The ten-strong Pilot Wings Course (PWC) at Air Force Base (AFB) Langebaanweg have taken to the skies for their first solo flight, marking another milestone en route to the coveted full brevet.
SAAF technical corps numbers boosted
Personnel
The air support component of the SAAF can now call on 24 new additions to its technical artisan corps following what is termed “a reclassification parade” at 68 Air School in Centurion.
Heaviest SAAF losses in WWII remembered
Personnel
The sacrifices and bravery of members of 31 and 34 squadrons of the SAAF who died in the Italian Alps in 1944 while dropping supplies to the Italian partisans in the Po Valley 81 years ago, have been remembered at a service in Pretoria.
Air allowances for helo flight engineers seemingly coming back
Personnel
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga intimated in response to a Parliamentary question the thorny issue of flight allowances for SAAF flight engineers could be remedied.
Bravery of Poles and SA airmen in 1944 Warsaw Uprising remembered
Personnel
The Polish people who fought heroically during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, and the bravery of the South African aircrews who undertook to resupply the Polish resistance during the 63-day airlift in World War Two, have been remembered at the Katyn Memoria
Instructors Course 01/23 " A Journey of Two Years
Personnel
Two years, sleepless nights, countless hours in the air and on the ground, and now the chapter has finally closed. Instructors Course 01/23 was more than just a qualification; it was a test of endurance, patience, and growth.
SANDF launches landmark Joint Basic Military Training for 11 000 new recruits
Personnel
The SANDF will this month boost its personnel by 11 000 in a major Military Skills Development System (MSDS) intake to put more " trained " boots on the ground.
Sandu successful in fight for SAAF firefighters’ incentive allowance
Personnel
More than three years ago SAAF firefighters lost their technical competency-based incentive pay (TCIP) due to what the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) called “a military dispensation”.
Pilot Wings Course 130 Reaches Milestone
Personnel
After 15 months of waiting, the South African Air Force (SAAF) Pilot Wings Course (PWC 130) students have achieved a significant milestone by completing their first flight.
New award added to SAAF prestige list
Personnel
There’s another award for SAAF personnel to strive for " the Free the Eagle Innovation trophy " aimed at encouraging out-of-the-box thinking leading to innovations that will “propel” the airborne service of the SANDF forward.
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
Personnel
A brewing crisis within the SAAF is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF’s most vital aircraft.
Two hundred thousand plus apply for five thousand MSDS slots
Personnel
The proverbial jury is and probably will remain out on whether patriotism or a need for gainful employment drives the massive number of applications to become SANDF Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits.
SANDF makes 2026 MSDS application forms available
Personnel
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) applications for 2026, allowing young and deserving South Africans the chance to join the military on a two-year contract.
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
Personnel
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day " better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day " will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
New SAAF Deputy Chief
Personnel
Come Wednesday 1 January Major General Lancelot Mathebula will add the post of SA Air Force (SAAF) Deputy Chief to his current duties as project leader of the fledgling SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command.
SA Air Force clips wings of local cadets training in Cuba
Personnel
Air force cadets will no longer be trained in Cuba after the SA Air Force (SAAF) officially terminated its agreement with the government of that country.
SAAF adds 40 technical ground crew to personnel strength
Personnel
The ground crew component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is 40 artisans better off following official reclassification as artisans.
New bosses for AFB Bloemspruit units
Personnel
Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, the SA Air Force (SAAF) helicopter centre of excellence, has new commanders for its two flying units.
Korean War participants honoured
Personnel
27 July 2024 marks the 71st Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, a war many refer to as “a forgotten war”. The South Korean Embassy hosted a memorial event on Friday 26 July 2024, honouring those who answered the United Nations’ call to aid South Kore
The Soaring Spirit of Excellence: Wings Parade 2024
Personnel
The Wings Parade held on 23 May 2024, at the Air Force Base Langebaanweg Central Flying School was a momentous occasion, celebrating the achievements of the South African Air Force's finest.
SAAF Memorial service held despite vandalism
Personnel
The annual South African Air Force Memorial service has been held at the Bays Hill memorial, north of the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing, formerly known as Swartkop Air Force Base, despite extensive vandalism done last year.
SAAF shuts down HQ building due to ventilation problems
Personnel
Due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions caused by malfunctioning ventilation systems, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is temporarily closing its headquarters building in Pretoria.
