Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned officer ranks, the most senior of the non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks, or in a separate category of their own. Warrant officer ranks are especially prominent in the militaries of Commonwealth nations and the United States.
Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world.
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.
The South African National Defence Force's rank system is largely based on the British system, with the Air Force sharing the Army rank titles. Rank titles changed over time as did the insignia.
Hugo Hendrik Biermann, was a senior officer in the South African Navy. He served as Chief of the Navy from 1952 to 1972 and Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1972 until 1976, the only naval officer to have served in the post.
Johannes "Joe" Modise was a South African political figure. He helped to found uMkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, and was its longest serving Commander in Chief, deputised at different points in time by Joe Slovo and Chris Hani. Modise headed MK for a 25-year period, from 1965 to 1990. He served as South Africa's first black Minister of Defence from 1994 to 1999 and led the formation of the post-independence defence force.
General Godfrey Nhlanhla Ngwenya was a South African military commander and diplomat. He served as Chief of Joint Operations from 2001 to 2005, and Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 2005 until 2011.
General Solly Zacharia Shoke, is a South African military commander. He joined uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress, in the 1970s, and served as a field commander fighting against the South African government in the 1980s. He transferred to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) when MK was incorporated into it in 1994, and served as Chief of the South African National Defence Force 2011 to 30 May 2021.
Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano was a South African military commander and former Chief of the South African Air Force. He joined the South African Air Force in 1968, and served in the Border War in South West Africa in the 1980s.
The Nigerian Navy (NN) is the naval force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. With 75 warships, it is categorised as the fifth strongest navy in Africa. It is considered well-trained and has participated in several peacekeeping missions.
Phetogo Molawa is South Africa's first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Air Force and the South African National Defence Force. She is currently a captain in the South African Air Force. In 2018 she became the first woman and the first black person to take command of a South African Air Force installation; specifically, she became the new commanding officer of the South African Air Force base in Port Elizabeth.
Ramón Colón-López is a retired senior non-commissioned officer of the United States Air Force and a former pararescueman, and served as the 4th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) from December 13, 2019 to November 3, 2023. In his role as SEAC, Colón-López is the most senior enlisted member of the United States military. In 2007 he was the only Hispanic American among the first six airmen to be awarded the newly created Air Force Combat Action Medal. He served as the Senior Enlisted Leader of United States Africa Command from September 2016 to November 2019.
Vice Admiral Refiloe Mudimu is a former South African military commander, who served as the Chief of the Navy before his retirement in 2014.
Lieutenant General Vusumuzi Masondo is a South African military commander.
Lieutenant General Willem Hendrik Hechter is a former Chief of the South African Air Force.
Lieutenant General Themba Matanzima is a former South African Army officer, serving as Military Ombudsman.
Major General Les Rudman was a General Officer in the South African Army from the infantry.
Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha is the current Chief of the South African Army. He was appointed to this position in April 2020. Before being appointed Chief of the Army he was the General Officer Commanding of the South african National Defence Force Training Command and before that he was the 19th Commandant of the South African Military Academy.
Wiseman Mbambo is a South African Air Force officer, serving as Chief of the South African Air Force.
South Africa 
South African Air Force 
