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South African Air Force facts for kids

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South African Air Force
Ensign of the South African Air Force.svg
The SAAF Ensign
Active South African Air Force 1 Feb 1920
Country South Africa
Branch Air Force
Role Air supremacy, Air defense
Size 226 Aircraft
11,245 (Active personnel)
831 (Reserve Personnel)
Part of South African National Defence Force
Motto(s) Latin: Per Aspera Ad Astra (Through adversity to the stars)
Battle honours
  • East & North Africa: 1940-41/1941-43
  • Madagascar: 1942
  • Italy: 1943–1945
  • Balkans 1943–1945
  • Korea: 1950-1953
Commanders
Chief of the Air Force Lt Gen Fabian Msimang
Aircraft flown
Attack Rooivalk
Electronic
warfare		 Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT
Fighter Gripen C/D
Patrol C-47TP, Lynx 300
Trainer PC-7, Hawk
Transport C-47TP, C-130BZ, Oryx, Agusta A109, CASA 212, Cessna Caravan

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of South Africa. It is part of the South African National Defence Force.

The SAAF started a long time ago, in 1912. Back then, it was called the South African Aviation Corps. On February 1, 1920, it officially became the South African Air Force. The SAAF has fought in many important conflicts. These include World War II and the Korean War.

What is the SAAF's Strength?

The South African Air Force has about 226 aircraft. It also has over 11,000 active military personnel. Most of their aircraft are made in Europe.

However, some planes and helicopters are designed and built in South Africa. For example, the Denel Rooivalk helicopter and the Atlas Oryx helicopter are South African-made. The main fighter jet used by the Air Force is the Saab JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden.

Images for kids

  • Airco D.H.9

    de Havilland/Airco DH.9: 49 of these aircraft were given to South Africa.

  • Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943 CM2505

    Lt. Robin Pare (left), Major John "Jack" Frost (center), and Capt. Andrew Duncan (right) of 5 Squadron SAAF in 1942. Frost was a top pilot in the SAAF during World War II.

  • Supermarine Spitfire pilots of No. 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, at Gabes in Tunisia, April 1943. TR1033

    Supermarine Spitfire pilots of 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, in Tunisia, April 1943.

  • Aircrew of No. 16 Squadron SAAF and No. 227 Squadron RAF sitting in front of a Bristol Beaufighter at Biferno, Italy, prior to taking off to attack a German headquarters building in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, 14 August 1944. C5894

    A Bristol Beaufighter in Italy, August 1944.

  • Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. CNA2103

    Supermarine Spitfire Mark VCs from 2 Squadron SAAF in Palata, Italy.

  • Зеница - 1944-09-06 - бомбардовање Жељезничког моста Пехаре од стране италијанског СААФ-а

    On September 6, 1944, the 16th SAAF Squadron bombed the Zenica bridge "Pehare" during a campaign from Italy.

  • F-51Ds 2 Sqn SAAF Korea May 1951

    2 Squadron F51 Mustangs in Korea.

  • SAAF Mirage F1CZ 1979

    Mirage F1CZ on the tarmac in 1979.

  • Cheetah D fighter

    SAAF Cheetah D fighter.

  • Security simulation at Swartkops Air Force Base

    Hawk 120s doing a security practice over Swartkop for the 2010 World Cup.

  • SAAF C130 BZ Hercules of 28 Squadron

    SAAF C130 BZ Hercules from 28 Squadron.

  • South African Air Force Flying Squadrons update

    South African Air Force Flying Squadrons.

  • South African Air Force Reserve Squadrons update

    South African Air Force Reserve Squadrons.

  • South African Air Force Other Flying Units update

    South African Air Force Other Flying Units.

  • South African Air Force Security Squadrons version 3

    South African Air Force Security Squadrons.

  • South African Air Force Engineering Units updated

    South African Air Force Engineering Units.

  • 250 ADAG corrected structure

    250 Air Defence Artillery Group Structure.

  • South African Air Force Command and Control ver 3

    South African Air Force Command and Control Units.

  • South African Air Force Training Units update 4

    South African Air Force Training Units.

  • South African Air Force Support Units ver 3

    South African Air Force Support Units.

  • SAAF C-130B 407 (6918395081)

    A SAAF C-130 Hercules.

  • Rooivalk in flight (cropped)

    The Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter.

  • ZS-RSA B737-300 SAF (4318930775)

    A Boeing 737 at Johannesburg International Airport.

  • SAAF-Memorial-001

    The South African Air Force Memorial.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fuerza Aérea Sudafricana para niños

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