21 Squadron SAAF

Last updated

21 Squadron
Falcon 900A ZS-NAN.jpg
Dassault Falcon 900A
Active8 May 1941–present
Country Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa
Branch South African Air Force
RoleVIP Transport Squadron
Garrison/HQ AFB Waterkloof
Motto(s)Onoorwinlik (Afrikaans) (Unconquerable)
Insignia
Squadron Crest 21 Squadron SAAF Crest.png
Aircraft flown
Bomber A-22 Maryland, Martin Baltimore, Marauder, Lockheed Ventura
Transport Dakota, Hawker Siddeley HS-125, Swearingen Merlin IVA, Beech King Air 200C.

21 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It was formed as a bomber squadron in Kenya during World War II and became a VIP transport squadron in the 1960s, a role which it performs to this day. The squadron currently flies two Dassault Falcon 50s, two Cessna Citation IIs, a Dassault Falcon 900 and a Boeing BBJ aircraft. [1] 21 Squadron is one of the most active squadrons in the air force with 606 VIP transport flights being made between 2009 and 2012. [2] The Boeing BBJ is used as the presidential aircraft when the President of South Africa travels and designated callsign LMG1. [2]

Contents

History

World War II

21 Squadron SAAF was first formed on 8 May 1941 in Nakuru, Kenya, as a bomber squadron flying Martin Maryland medium bomber aircraft. The squadron consisted of pilots from Squadrons 11, 15, and 16 of the SAAF. [3] From November 1943 to February 1944, the 21st Squadron was based at Totorella in the province of Foggia, Italy. Baltimore, Anson, and DC3 planes were flown on bombing raids mainly over central Italy and into Yugoslavia. On 21 February 1944 the squadron moved from Tortorella to Campomarino, south east of Termoli, where bombing continued, mainly of railways and marshalling yards. [4] 21 Squadron SAAF was disbanded on 10 September 1945. [1]

VIP Squadron

In 1968, the squadron was reformed at AFB Swartkop flying a Vickers Viscount and three Douglas Dakotas. The squadron acquired Hawker Siddeley HS-125 in 1970 and Swearingen Merlin in 1975. In 1985 the squadron moved to AFB Waterkloof. In 1983 the Viscount was transferred to 44 Squadron and the Merlins were sold in 1985. Two Beech KingAir 200Cs were acquired, but one was later sold and the other aircraft transferred to 41 Squadron. The HS-125s were disposed of in 1999. The squadron currently flies a fleet of jet aircraft. The two Dassault Falcon 50s were acquired in 1982 and 1985, the two Cessna 550 Citation IIs in 1983 and the Dassault Falcon 900 in 1992. In January 2003 the squadron received the new presidential Boeing BBJ. [1] [3]

The Boeing 737 BBJ is known as "Inkwazi", meaning "Fish eagle" in the Xhosa and Zulu languages. [5] The aircraft is based on the Boeing 737-700 and has an upgraded interior. It arrived in South Africa on 21 October 2002. [5]

VIP flight usage

The following information was revealed when then Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu responded to a question posed by the Democratic Alliance's Sheik Shahid Esau in Parliament.[ when? ]

Number of flights made by politicians on 21 Squadron

Jacob Zuma

Boeing 737 BBJ "Inkwazi" at Zurich-Kloten Airport in Switzerland Boeing 737-7ED(BBJ), South Africa - Air Force JP7550504.jpg
Boeing 737 BBJ "Inkwazi" at Zurich-Kloten Airport in Switzerland
TimeframeNo. of flights
2009/201072
2010/201184
2011/201272
1 April 2012/May 20126
Total234 [6]

Kgalema Motlanthe

21 Squadron Hawker Siddeley HS-125 Mercurius ZS-JIH.jpg
21 Squadron Hawker Siddeley HS-125
TimeframeNo. of flights
2009/201052
2010/201148
2011/201247
1 April 2012/May 20123
Total150 [6]

Thabo Mbeki

TimeframeNo. of flights
2009/20102
2010/20113
Total5 [6]

Lindiwe Sisulu

The following information was disclosed in response to another question posed to Sisulu by Advocate L H Max of the Democratic Alliance.

TimeframeNo. of flights
2009/201052
2010/201168
2011/201256
1 April 2012/May 201212
Total188 [6]

All VIP flight information has since been made classified for security reasons. [7]

Shadow aircraft incident

In 2012 it was found that two aircraft had followed Jacob Zuma's Boeing BBJ flight into John F. Kennedy International Airport. The aircraft were using SAAF call signs. The aircraft were a Bombardier Global Express and a South African Airways Airbus A340. In response to the reports, then Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano said that the aircraft followed to ensure that the president could make it to an important meeting after his New York visit. [8] The Democratic Alliance said that Sisulu should take responsibility and explain why the aircraft were used. [9]

Acquisition of new aircraft

In 2012 plans were announced to acquire a new Boeing 777 VIP aircraft for the SAAF in a R2 billion deal. The order was cancelled after the offer had lapsed. [10]

In 2015, Armscor opened the tender process for a new VIP aircraft for use by the president. Analysts speculated that an aircraft meeting Armscor's specifications could cost R4 billion. [11]

Accidents and incidents

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Air Force</span> Branch of the South African National Defence Force

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 saw service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966, the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in the low-intensity Border War in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased, until in the late 1980s when 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas Oryx</span> Type of aircraft

The Atlas Oryx is a medium-sized utility helicopter ostensibly developed and manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa. Its largest operator is the South African Air Force (SAAF), having been originally developed to fulfil their needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing Business Jet</span> Executive transport variants of several Boeing airliners

A Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is a version of a Boeing jet airliner with modifications to serve the private, head of state, and corporate jet market. The first BBJ, based on the 737-700, rolled out on July 26, 1998; and had its first flight on September 4, 1998. The BBJ name later came to represent any Boeing aircraft modified to serve in a business jet role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">87 Helicopter Flying School SAAF</span> Military unit

87 Helicopter Flying School is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is a helicopter flight training school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Base Waterkloof</span> Airport in Gauteng, South Africa

Air Force Base Waterkloof {AFB Wklf} is an airbase of the South African Air Force. It is situated on the outskirts of Pretoria, and is the SAAF's busiest airbase. The base's name means "water ravine" in Afrikaans and in Dutch. Despite the name, this base is not located in the suburban town of Waterkloof, Pretoria, but lies to the south of Pretoria, 4.34 nmi (8.04 km) to the northeast of Centurion, Gauteng and 3.37 nmi (6.24 km) from AFB Swartkop, at an elevation of 1506 metres (4940 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 34 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force VIP transport squadron

No. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) VIP transport squadron. It operates Boeing 737 Business Jets and Dassault Falcon 7Xs from Defence Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra. The squadron was formed in February 1942 for standard transport duties during World War II, initially flying de Havilland DH.84 Dragons in Northern Australia. In 1943 it re-equipped with Douglas C-47 Dakotas, which it operated in New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies prior to disbanding in June 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khartoum International Airport</span> International airport serving Khartoum, Sudan

Khartoum International Airport is the principal airport in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The airport has been shut down since it was stormed and occupied on 15 April 2023 during the Battle of Khartoum.

Air transports for heads of state and government are, in many countries, provided by the air force in specially equipped airliners or business jets. One such aircraft in particular has become part of popular culture: Air Force One, used by the President of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force. Other well-known official aircraft include the Russian presidential aircraft, the British Royal Air Force VIP aircraft, the French Cotam 001, the Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft, the German Konrad Adenauer, the Royal Australian Airforce VIP aircraft, the Japanese Air Force One, the South Korean Code One, the Indian Air India One, the Brazilian Air Force One, and the Israeli Wing of Zion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kgalema Motlanthe</span> President of South Africa from 2008 to 2009

Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe is a South African politician who served as the 3rd president of South Africa from 25 September 2008 to 9 May 2009, following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki. Thereafter, he was deputy president under Jacob Zuma from 9 May 2009 to 26 May 2014.

Mthatha Airport is an airport serving Mthatha, a city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The airport was previously named K. D. Matanzima Airport after Kaiser Matanzima, a president of the former Transkei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft</span>

The Royal Australian Air Force operates a number of specialised aircraft to transport the King of Australia and other members of the Royal family, the Governor General of Australia, the Prime Minister of Australia, senior members of the Australian government and other dignitaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Base Swartkop</span> Airport in Gauteng, South Africa

Air Force Base Swartkop is South Africa's oldest air force base and houses the South African Air Force Museum. It is managed as part of AFB Waterkloof and houses one of the three branches of the South African Air Force Museum. The name of the air force base, Swartkop means Black hill in Afrikaans.

Air Force Station Port Elizabeth is a South African Air Force facility situated on the north-eastern side of the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport main runway. It was downgraded from an Air Force Base in the early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">89 Combat Flying School</span> Military unit

89 Combat Flying School is a disbanded unit of the South African Air Force, active from 1986 to 1992. The unit was formed on 1 July 1986 from the Mirage Flight of 85 Combat Flying School at AFB Pietersburg and its main role was to train aircrew to fly the Dassault Mirage aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">42 Squadron SAAF</span> Military unit

42 Squadron SAAF is a disbanded squadron of the South African Air Force, active from 1945 to 2000. The squadron's main role was to spot enemy artillery. The unit was formed in 1945 as 42 AOP Flight, flying Austers under command of an officer of the SA Artillery and was the only army aviation unit flying for South African forces during World War II.

The Air Headquarters Communication Squadron (Pegasus)(AHQCS) of the Indian Air Force is based at Air Force Station Palam, New Delhi. It is a transport squadron which maintains a fleet of aircraft with the primary aim of providing air transport to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of India, within and outside the country, and to visiting foreign heads of State, categorized as VVIPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inkwazi</span> Type of aircraft

Inkwazi is a Boeing Business Jet aircraft used as the air transportation for the President of South Africa and operated by 21 Squadron South African Air Force. It has seating for six ministers and ten significant others. It cost R300m to acquire and another R108m to fit and decorate the interior which can seat up to 15 passengers. The jet's name means "fish eagle" in Zulu.

LunaJets is a private jet broker with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where it has been based since it was founded in 2007 by former Ogilvy advertiser Eymeric Segard. Additionally, they have opened offices throughout the years in London, Paris, Monaco, Riga and Dubai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Air Squadron (Indonesia)</span> Military unit

17th Air Squadron is a Special/VIP transport squadron under the command of the 1st Air Wing at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta. The 17th Air Squadron operates Indonesian Presidential Aircraft Boeing 737-800 BBJ2 and other transport aircraft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "21 Squadron". saairforce.co.za. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "SAAF has conducted 814 VIP flights since 2009". defenceweb.co.za. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 "21 Squadron". af.mil.za. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  4. Logbook of Lt E.E. Kirby, SAAF
  5. 1 2 "Boeing 737-7ED (BBJ)". saairforce.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Zuma spent R140 million on VIP flights since 2009". Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  7. Maynier, David. "Costs of Zuma's VIP flights now classified". Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  8. "Air force admits shadow plane was in US". news24.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  9. "DA: Sisulu must explain back-up planes". news24.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  10. Hartley, Wyndham. "Luxurious aircraft for Zuma on the cards again". bdlive.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  11. Gibson, Erika; Nhlabathi, Hlengiwe (8 November 2015). "R4 billion VIP jet for Zuma?". News24. City Press. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  12. "SAAF remembers its fallen with Salute Flight and flypast". defenceweb.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  13. "Motlanthe plane makes emergency landing". mg.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  14. "'Motlanthe's pilots took precautions'". iol.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  15. Hartley, Wyndham (20 March 2012). "Air Force pilot who 'borrowed' aircraft is charged". BDlive. Retrieved 4 December 2015.