South African Air Force
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of the South African National Defence Force.
| South African Air Force | |
|---|---|
 The South African Air Force's emblem | |
| Founded | 1 February 1920 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Air supremacy & air defence |
| Size | 226 aircraft 10,815 (active personnel) 831 (reserve personnel) |
| Part of | South Africa Armed Forces |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Per aspera ad astra (English: Through hardships to the stars)[1] |
| Battle honours | Awarded to squadrons (numerous) |
| Website | http://www.af.mil.za/index.htm |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Air Force | Lt Gen Fabian Msimang |
| Insignia | |
| Roundels |   |
| Ensign |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Rooivalk |
| Electronic warfare | Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT |
| Fighter | JAS 39 Gripen |
| Patrol | Lynx 300 |
| Trainer | Pilatus PC-7, BAE Hawk |
| Transport | C-130, Atlas Oryx, Agusta A109, CASA C.212, Cessna Caravan |
The South African Air Force goes back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was created. The UDF had included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF). On 1 February 1920, the South African Air Force was created. The SAAF fought in several battles during World War II, the Korean War, and the South African Border War.
Strength
The South African Air Force has about 226 aircraft and 11,245 active military personnel. The aircraft are mostly European-made. However some, such as the Denel Rooivalk and the Atlas Oryx were designed and built in South Africa. The Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen is the standard aircraft of the Air Force.
South African Air Force Media
South African Government and Pantone Color Picker
Air Force Ensign of South Africa
de Havilland/Airco DH.9: 49 of these aircraft were donated to South Africa as part of the Imperial Gift
A Hawker Hart, one of the earliest bombers for South Africa
Lt. Robin Pare (left), squadron commander Major John "Jack" Frost (centre), who was the highest scoring ace in the SAAF during the Second World War, and Capt. Andrew Duncan (right) of 5 Squadron SAAF March/April 1942
Supermarine Spitfire pilots of 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, at Gabes in Tunisia, April 1943
A Bristol Beaufighter, in Italy August 1944.
Supermarine Spitfire Mark VCs of 2 Squadron SAAF based at Palata, Italy
References
- ↑ "South African Air Force". Corporate Identity. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.