1.
South Africa
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area and it is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, the remaining population consists of Africas largest communities of European, Asian, and multiracial ancestry. South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a variety of cultures, languages. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the recognition of 11 official languages. The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup détat, however, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994. During the 20th century, the black majority sought to recover its rights from the dominant white minority, with this struggle playing a role in the countrys recent history. The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation, since 1994, all ethnic and linguistic groups have held political representation in the countrys democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces. South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation to describe the multicultural diversity. The World Bank classifies South Africa as an economy. Its economy is the second-largest in Africa, and the 34th-largest in the world, in terms of purchasing power parity, South Africa has the seventh-highest per capita income in Africa. However, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about a quarter of the population unemployed, nevertheless, South Africa has been identified as a middle power in international affairs, and maintains significant regional influence. The name South Africa is derived from the geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation the country was named the Union of South Africa in English, since 1961 the long form name in English has been the Republic of South Africa. In Dutch the country was named Republiek van Zuid-Afrika, replaced in 1983 by the Afrikaans Republiek van Suid-Afrika, since 1994 the Republic has had an official name in each of its 11 official languages. Mzansi, derived from the Xhosa noun umzantsi meaning south, is a name for South Africa. South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological and human fossil sites in the world, extensive fossil remains have been recovered from a series of caves in Gauteng Province. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has termed the Cradle of Humankind
2.
South African Air Force
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The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920, the Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966 the SAAF was involved in providing support in a low intensity war in Angola, South-West Africa. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighboring states. Today the SAAF has an air combat capability and has been structured towards regional peace-keeping, disaster relief. After a visit to observe the 1912 military manoeuvres in Europe, beyers gave an extremely positive report on the future use of aircraft for military purposes to General Smuts. Flying training commenced in 1913 with students who excelled on the course being sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon in Great Britain for further training, the first South African military pilot qualified on 2 June 1914. At the outbreak of World War I, the Union Defence Force had realised the urgent need for air support which brought about the establishment of the South African Aviation Corps on 29 January 1915. Aircraft were purchased from France while the building of an airfield at Walvis Bay commenced in earnest in order to support operations against German forces in German South West Africa. By June 1915 the SAAC was deployed to its first operational airfield at Karibib in German South West Africa in support of Gen. Bothas South African ground forces. On 9 July 1915, the German forces capitulated and most of the pilots,26 Squadron RFC and later becoming an independent squadron on 8 October 1915. No.26 Squadron was equipped with Henri Farman F-27s and B. E. 2cs and was shipped to Kenya in support of the war effort in German East Africa, landing in Mombasa on 31 January 1916. While the SAAC were engaged in German South West Africa and 26 Sqdn RFC in East Africa, the number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3,000 men and suffered 260 active-duty fatalities over the Somme during the war. Forty six pilots became fighter aces, on conclusion of the First World War, the British Government donated surplus aircraft plus spares and sufficient equipment to provide the nucleus of a fledgling air force to each of its Dominions. In December 1920 the South African National insignia was added to aircraft for the first time and these colours remained until 1927 when they were replaced with the Orange, White and Blue roundels. 1 Squadron was called to fly reconnaissance missions and to bombard the strikers’ positions, the SAAF was again deployed to suppress the Bondelzwart Rebellion at Kalkfontein between 29 May and 3 July 1922. For maritime patrol operations, the SAAF took over all 29 passenger aircraft of South African Airways,18 Junkers Ju 86Z-ls for maritime patrols, SAAF maritime patrols commenced on 21 September 1939 with 16 Squadron flying three JU-86Zs from Walvis Bay. By 1940, the Ju 86s were replaced by Ansons and Coastal Command SAAF had been established, in December 1939 the Duke of Aosta had sent a report to Mussolini recording the state of chronic unpreparedness of the Allied Forces in East Africa
3.
Air Force Base Ysterplaat
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Air Force Base Ysterplaat is an airbase of the South African Air Force. It is located in Cape Town, on the southwestern coast of South Africa, the name Ysterplaat is Afrikaans from the Dutch Ysterplaats meaning Iron Place or Place of Iron in English. The bases motto is Fortiter In Re, home to the worlds last technically airworthy Avro Shackleton. The site of AFB Ysterplaat was originally used as an airfield, known as Maitland Aerodrome. African Air Transport opened at Maitland in 1938, and was involved in training pilots for the Union Air Training Groups pupil pilot training scheme, with the coming of World War II, AAT moved to Tempe and Maitland was taken over by the SAAF. On 24 October 1941 AFS Brooklyn, as it was then known,3 and 9 Air Depots were transferred to Brooklyn for the repair and assembly of aircraft. Curtiss Kittyhawks and Hawker Hurricanes were also assembled at a stage, but by the end of the war. In 1946, the first jet aircraft to reach South Africa, on 1 April 1949, AFS Brooklyn was renamed AFS Ysterplaat. It lies now literally in the heart of Cape Town, South Africas Legislative Capital, more jets were assembled at Ysterplaat from 1950 in the form of the de Havilland Vampire FB Mk. 5s, which were the SAAFs first operational jet fighters. Unit status was upgraded to an Air Force Base on 1 February 1968, the SAAF is considering converting the base into a civilian airport with a military presence, but no decisions have been taken as yet. The Young Falcons wings ceremony is also at AFB Ysterplaat. List of airports in the Cape Town area South African Air Force South African Air Force Museum AFB Ysterplaat
4.
Very important person
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A very important person is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their status or importance. The special treatment usually involves separation from common people, and a level of comfort or service. In some cases, such as tickets, VIP may be used as a title in a similar way to premium. These VIP tickets can be purchased by anyone, but still meaning separation from other customers, the term VVIP or Very Very Important Person is also used, especially with reference to VIPs with very high spending power. VIP syndrome is when a perceived VIP uses their status to influence a given professional to make decisions under the pressure or presence of the individual. The phenomenon can occur in any profession that has relationships with wealthy, famous, one example is the 2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash
5.
South African Police
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After South Africas transition to democracy in 1994, the SAP was reorganised into the South African Police Service. The South African Police was the successor to the forces of the Cape Colony, the Natal Colony, the Orange River Colony. Proclamation 18 formed the South African Police on 1 April 1913 with the amalgamation of the forces of the four old colonies after the founding of the Union of South Africa in 1910. The first Commissioner of Police was Colonel Theo G Truter with 5882 men under his command, the SAP originally policed cities and urban areas, while the South African Mounted Riflemen, a branch of the Union Defence Force, enforced the states writ in rural areas. During World War I, the SAP took over the Riflemens jurisdiction, by 1926, the South African Mounted Riflemen were disbanded and their duties taken over by the South African Police. In 1939, the SAP took over the South West African Police and became responsible for policing South West Africa, Police officials often called on the army for support in emergencies. In turn, one SAP brigade served with the 2nd Infantry Division of the South African Army in North Africa during World War II, after the war, the South African Police joined INTERPOL on 1 January 1948. The police were armed after that, especially when facing unruly or hostile crowds. This search-and-seize zone was extended to eight miles of any border in 1979. Among the SAPs spies during the era were the infamous Craig Williamson. The SAP relinquished its responsibility for South West Africa in 1981 and it took over the South African Railways Police Force in 1986. There were a number of units within the police. They were formed either to carry out a task or to deal with a particular area of crime. During emergencies they were assisted by the military, from 1961 to 1990, a total of 67 people died in South African Police detention from hanging and torture as well as natural causes. Evidence given to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1998 suggested a degree of deliberation in the decision to fire by the police. In 1983, the SAP formed C1, a unit commanded by police colonel. C1 was run out of a farmhouse called Vlakplaas until 1992. It functioned as a hit squad, capturing political opponents of the National Party government
6.
South African Army
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The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910. The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by Boer Commando forces, the role of the Army was fundamentally changed by the upheavals of the early 1990s and after 1994 the Army became part of the new South African National Defence Force. It is now becoming involved in peacekeeping efforts in southern Africa. The Army is composed of roughly 40,100 regular uniformed personnel, the rank/age structure of the army, which deteriorated desperately during the 1990s, is greatly improving through the Military Skills Development voluntary national service system. Through this system, young members are being inducted into the regular. The 1912 law also obligated all males between seventeen and sixty years of age to serve in the military, but this was not strictly enforced as there were a large number of volunteers. Instead, half of the males aged from 17 to 25 were drafted by lots into the ACF. For training purposes, the Union was divided into 15 military districts, initially, the Permanent Force consisted of five regiments of the South African Mounted Riflemen, each with a battery of artillery attached. Dorning says that. the SAMR was in reality a military constabulary similar to the Cape Mounted Riflemen, in 1913 and 1914, the new 23, 400-member Citizen Force was called on to suppress several industrial strikes on the Witwatersrand. In accordance with the 1912 Defence Act, the Active Citizen Force was established under Brig. Gen. C. F, the authorised strength of the ACF and Coast Garrison Force was 25,155 and by 31 December actual strength stood at 23,462. When World War I broke out in 1914, the South African government chose to join the war on the side of the Allies, the German troops stationed there eventually surrendered to the South African forces in July 1915. Later, a brigade and various other supporting units were shipped to France in order to fight on the Western Front as the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force. The 4th Regiment was called the South African Scottish and was raised from members of the Transvaal Scottish, the supporting units included five batteries of heavy artillery, a field ambulance unit, a Royal Engineers signals company and a military hospital. South Africans also saw action with the Cape Corps in Palestine, an estimated 3,000 South Africans also joined the Royal Flying Corps. The total South African casualties during the war was about 18,600 with over 12,452 killed – more than 4,600 in the European theater alone, wartime casualties and postwar demobilisation weakened the UDF. New legislation in 1922 re-established conscription for males over the age of 21 for four years of military training and service. UDF troops assumed internal security tasks in South Africa and quelled several revolts against South African domination in South-West Africa, during the Rand strike of 1922,14,000 members of the ACF and certain A class reservists were called up. Expenditure cuts saw the UDF as a whole reduced, the last remaining regiment of the South Africa Mounted Riflemen was disbanded on 31 March 1926 and the number of military districts was reduced from 16 to six on 1 April 1926
7.
Sergeant Major of the Air Force
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The Sergeant Major of the South African Air Force is the most senior Warrant Officer in the South African Air Force. The post was created in 1979 and it is a singular appointment – it is only held by one person at any time. The Sergeant Major of the Air Force reports to the Chief of the Air Force and is responsible for maintaining discipline in the Air Force. Before 2008 all Sergeant Majors of the Air Force were Warrant Officer Class 1, in 2008 the SANDF expanded the Warrant Officer ranks and the Sergeant Major of the Air Force now holds the rank of Senior Chief Warrant Officer. Prior to 2002 the Sergeant Major of the Air Force had a rank insignia. Following the Warrant Officer rank redesign the Sergeant Major of the Air Force does not have a rank insignia South African Air Force South African military ranks
8.
2 Squadron SAAF
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2 Squadron is a squadron in the South African Air Force which was formed in 1940. The squadron has a history, having been involved in every single combat action in which the SAAF has taken part. During the Second World War it made a name for itself in the battles for East Africa, before distinguishing itself in North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force, the squadron was established on 1 October 1940. During the initial years of the war,2 Squadron served as part of 1 Bomber Brigade in the East African Campaign, after August 1943, it also saw action in Sicily, Italy and Yugoslavia. 2 Squadron was attached to the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing U. S. Air Force for the duration of the war, initially flying the P-51 Mustang, the squadron re-equipped with the F-86 Sabre in February 1953. During the war the squadron flew a total of 12,067 sorties,74 of the 94 Mustangs and 4 out of the 22 Sabres were lost, along with 34 pilots. For its actions, the received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United States Presidential Unit Citation. After the Korean War 2 Squadron, based at Waterkloof AFB, was equipped with Sabres, the first aircraft to fly through the sound barrier over South African soil was a Sabre piloted by Captain Gerrie Moolman. Conversion to the new Mirage III occurred in 1963 and the moved to AFB Hoedspruit at the end of 1978. The squadron fought in several engagements during the South-West Africa/Angola Border War and they continued to fly the Mirages until October 1990. They later re-equipped with the Atlas Cheetah C and D, reconnaissance was also performed using Vinten Vicon 18 Series 601 pod. Regular night flying was performed and the aircrew also performed air-to-air refuelling operations with the Boeing 707 aircraft of 60 Squadron, the squadron participated in the annual SANDF force preparation exercises which includes using live weapons. During joint exercises with the German Luftwaffe in 2006,40 live V3S Snake short-range air-to-air missiles were fired at the Denel Overberg Test Range, moving to Louis Trichardt in January 1993,2 Squadron became the sole front line combat jet squadron in the SAAF. Till 2 April 2008 the squadron operated the Cheetah C/D fighter aircraft and was equipped with 28 examples, the squadron flew 1010 hours in 2004. The last of the Cheetahs were retired on 2 April 2008, the SAAF accepted its first Gripen D in April 2008 and the final two Gripen D aircraft arrived in South Africa in July 2009. The first two Gripen Cs arrived on 11 February 2010 with deliveries ongoing as at October 2011, the squadron operates all the SAAFs Gripens except for the first Gripen D, which is assigned to the Test Flight and Development Centre at AFB Overberg. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988, unofficial South African Air Force website
9.
15 Squadron SAAF
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15 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron, the squadron was formed on 18 September 1939 as a SAAF Coastal Command squadron based at Cape Town. During the war it flew Junkers Ju-86, Bristol Blenheim and Martin Maryland aircraft, the squadron suffered a tragedy in May 1942, when eleven out of twelve personnel perished when three Blenheims became lost during a training flight and had to make an emergency landing in the desert. The Squadron flew Baltimore 5 Light Bombers in May 1945 as part of 253 Wing of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force, other aircraft flown during and after the war included Bristol Blenheims, and Martin Baltimores. Notable Second World War members include Harry Schwarz, who in 1984 was made Honorary Colonel of the Squadron, aircraft flown after the war included the Aérospatiale Super Frelon and the Aérospatiale Puma. The current base is AFB Durban in Durban, it operates Atlas Oryx and their primary role is maritime and landward search and rescue. Two flights of Oryx, A and B Flights, are based in Durban and C Flight, two of the aircraft have already been mothballed at AFB Bloemspruit. Four remain in service with 15 Squadron, C Flights conversion to AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters has been postponed due to delays in developing emergency flotation equipment for the type, thus precluding its use in a maritime environment. The Nkwe ya Selefera was awarded to Flight Sergeant V. Selvan for conspicuous bravery during military operations, note 1, † denotes a posthumous award. List of Officers to have served as Commanding Officers at 15 Squadron, media related to 15 Squadron SAAF at Wikimedia Commons
10.
16 Squadron SAAF
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16 Squadron SAAF is an attack helicopter squadron of the South African Air Force. It was finally disbanded in June 1945 and was not re-raised until 1968 as a helicopter squadron, in the late 1980s the squadron took part in the conflict in Angola before being disbanded again in 1990. It was raised once more in 1999 and it is operating the Rooivalk attack helicopter. However, it was short-lived, and by December of that year it had become B Flight of 32 Squadron, the squadron was re-formed at Addis Ababa on 1 May 1941, flying eight Ju-86Z taken over from 12 Squadron plus two Martin Marylands. It was disbanded that August following the Italian surrender, in April 1943 the squadron moved to Egypt, and was equipped with Bristol Beaufighters for use in anti-submarine duties. It continued to perform this role until it was disbanded on 15 June 1945. It would be 23 years before the squadron was once again re-formed, this time at AFB Ysterplaat on 1 February 1968, a year later it moved to AFB Durban, though did not stay long, and finally moved to AFB Bloemspruit during 1972. The squadrons A Flight was transferred to AFS Port Elizabeth in 1973, with its B Flight moving first to AFB Ysterplaat, in 1986, the squadron received an additional type, the Aérospatiale Puma. Throughout this period the squadron played a role in the South-West Africa/Angola Border War. The latest chapter in 16 Squadrons history began on 28 October 1999 when it was reformed at AFB Bloemspruit and equipped with the new Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter, receiving all 12 ordered. It is however still a functioning squadron, and regularly carries out joint exercises with the South African Army, the Rooivalk saw its first combat in support of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2013. Junkers Ju 86Z Martin Maryland Bristol Beaufort Bristol Blenheim V Bristol Beaufighter Aérospatiale Alouette III Aérospatiale Puma UN Helicopters Attacks in Congo on YouTube 16 Squadron home page
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South Africa