The South African Air Force (SAAF) has marked 106 years of protecting the nation’s skies and supporting communities in times of crisis. Speaking at the annual Prestige Parade at the SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing in Swartkop, Chief of the Air Force Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo paid tribute to the men and women who have upheld the Air Force’s mandate for more than a century.
January was a demanding period for the SAAF with aircraft and crews deployed for disaster relief operations locally and in the region. In Mozambique, A109 and Oryx helicopters rescued around 800 people from flooding and delivered critical supplies. Oryx helicopters were also deployed in the Western Cape to assist with firefighting during one of the province’s most severe fire seasons in decades.
“Our personnel responded professionally and with dedication,” Mbambo said, noting that rotary wing capabilities will remain essential as extreme weather events become more frequent.
The parade showcased improving aircraft availability with a flypast featuring Rooivalk combat support helicopters, a BK117, a C-130BZ Hercules, Cessna Caravans, a King Air, PC-7 Mk II trainers, Hawk Mk 120 Lead-In Fighter Trainers and Falcon VIP jets. A highlight was Major Lee-Roy “Shinobi” Goosen’s first public Hawk Mk 120 solo display as the new display pilot of 85 Combat Flying School.
Mbambo said improved readiness was supported by the arrival of spare parts and the return of aircraft from UN and SADC missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo although global supply chain disruptions continue to affect availability.
He also highlighted evolving threats to airspace security including the increased use of unmanned systems and stressed the importance of preserving the SAAF’s heritage. Swartkop, established in 1921, remains the world’s oldest operational air force base.
As the SAAF moves beyond 106 years, it continues to balance disaster relief, airspace protection and regional support while safeguarding its proud legacy.
