The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its 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 infantry support in a low intensity war in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased until in the late 1980s, the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states.
22 Squadron is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a maritime helicopter squadron operating Lynx and Oryx helicopters for the South African Navy. Originally formed in 1942, the squadron is the only current maritime helicopter squadron of the SAAF. It has been involved with many rescues, some gaining international attention as well as arctic base support.
Air Force Base Hoedspruit is an airbase of the South African Air Force. It is located adjacent to the Kruger National Park. In the late 1990s an unused portion of the base was converted into a civilian airport known as Eastgate Airport. It was also an emergency landing site for the Space Shuttle.
The Royal Air Force Police (RAFP) is the service police branch of the Royal Air Force, headed by the provost marshal of the Royal Air Force. Its headquarters are at RAF Honington and it deploys throughout the world to support RAF and UK defence missions.
The 105th Airlift Wing is a unit of the New York Air National Guard, stationed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York. If activated to federal service, the 105th Airlift Wing will be brought under the command of the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. It provides highly skilled Airmen and operationally ready equipment necessary to meet United States inter-theater airlift and expeditionary combat support commitments.
The 310th Space Wing is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Tenth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. The wing is the only space wing in the Air Force Reserve. It provides specialized expertise, continuity and combat ready personnel. It is mission partnered with the United States Space Force's 21st Space Wing, 30th Space Wing, and 460th Space Wing.
AFB Durban is an airbase of the South African Air Force, located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The runway is shared with the Durban International Airport. The airbase is at the northern end of the runway.
The 445th Operations Group is the flying component of the 445th Airlift Wing, assigned to Fourth Air Force of the United States Air Force Reserve. The group is stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
The 301st Operations Group is a flying component of the 301st Fighter Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Reserve Tenth Air Force. The group is stationed at Carswell Field, Texas.
The 437th Operations Group is an active United States Air Force unit. It is the flying component of the Eighteenth Air Force 437th Airlift Wing, stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.
101 Squadron is a reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. Its main area of responsibility is Mpumalanga Province in the role of crime prevention. The squadron is based at AFB Hoedspruit. These reserve squadrons are used to fill a pilot and aircraft gap within the SAAF by making use of civilian pilots and their privately owned aircraft. Most flying takes place over weekends and because pilots have a good knowledge of the local terrain in the area where they live and commonly fly, the squadron is used mostly in the crime prevention role.
102 Squadron is a reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. The squadron area of responsibility is from north of Polokwane (Pietersburg) to the Limpopo River and is used for reconnaissance flights along the South African and Zimbabwe and Botswana borders. The squadron is based at AFB Makhado in Louis Trichardt. These reserve squadrons are used to fill a pilot and aircraft gap within the SAAF by making use of civilian pilots and their privately owned aircraft. Most flying takes place over weekends and because pilots have a good knowledge of the local terrain in the area where they live and commonly fly, the squadron is used mostly in the reconnaissance and crime prevention role.
104 Squadron is a reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. This squadron is used mostly in the VIP/IP transport role as well as reconnaissance flights in the Gauteng area. The squadron is based at AFB Waterkloof. These reserve squadrons are used to fill a pilot and aircraft gap within the SAAF by making use of civilian pilots and their privately owned aircraft. Most flying takes place over weekends and because pilots have a good knowledge of the local terrain in the area where they live and commonly fly, the squadron is also often used in a crime prevention role.
105 Squadron is a territorial reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. The squadron operations include coastal reconnaissance, command and control and radio relay in crime prevention operations in co-operation with the South African Police and Army. The squadron is based at AFB Durban. These reserve squadrons are used to fill a pilot and aircraft gap within the SAAF by making use of civilian pilots and their privately owned aircraft. Most flying takes place over weekends and because pilots have a good knowledge of the local terrain in the area where they live and commonly fly, the squadron is mostly used in a crime prevention role.
31 Squadron was initially a World War II Coastal bomber/reconnaissance squadron South African Air Force. It was later converted to a heavy bomber squadron that operated from bases in the Mediterranean from January 1944 until the end of the war. On conclusion of hostilities, the squadron was used to ferry liberated POW's from Italy back to Britain and disbanded South African troops from Italy to Egypt. It was disbanded on 15 December 1945. It was resurrected as a medium and light helicopter squadron in 1982 and operated from AFB Hoedspruit until its final disbandment on 4 December 1992.
107 Squadron is a territorial reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. The squadron operations include coastal reconnaissance, command and control and radio relay in crime prevention operations in cooperation with the South African Police in the Northern Cape. The squadron is based in Kimberley, but is controlled by AFB Bloemspruit.
108 Squadron is a territorial reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. The primary squadron operations include coastal reconnaissance flights, as well as command, control, and telstar communications in crime prevention operations alongside the South African Police and the South African Army. The squadron is based in Port Elizabeth.
110 Squadron is a territorial reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. The squadron operations include VIP transport, coastal reconnaissance flights, command and control in crime prevention operations in conjunction with the South African Police and South African Army. The squadron is based at AFB Ysterplaat.
111 Squadron is a Reserve squadron of the South African Air Force. The squadron is primarily involved in VIP transport and reconnaissance flights in the Gauteng area. The squadron is headquartered at AFB Waterkloof.
The Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AFMDW) is a radar and communications wing of the South African Air Force. It provides combat ready, integrated and deployable air support capabilities. It appears to have sprung from the remnants of Airspace Control Command SAAF, which up until the late 1980s provided radar and warning functions. From the early 1950s, 1, 2, and 3 Satellite Radar Stations were formed at Mariepskop, Ellisras, and Mafiking, along with 70 Mobile Radar Group.
South Africa