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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 the South African National Defence Force.

The South African Air Force goes back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was created. The UDF had included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF). On 1 February 1920, the South African Air Force was created. The SAAF fought in several battles during World War II, the Korean War, and the South African Border War.

Strength

The South African Air Force has about 226 aircraft and 11,245 active military personnel. The aircraft are mostly European-made. However some, such as the Denel Rooivalk and the Atlas Oryx were designed and built in South Africa. The Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen is the standard aircraft of the Air Force.

Images for kids

  • Airco D.H.9

    de Havilland/Airco DH.9: 49 of these aircraft were donated to South Africa as part of the Imperial Gift

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

    Lt. Robin Pare (left), squadron commander Major John "Jack" Frost (centre), who was the highest scoring ace in the SAAF during the Second World War, and Capt. Andrew Duncan (right) of 5 Squadron SAAF March/April 1942

  • 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, at Gabes 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 of 2 Squadron SAAF based at Palata, Italy

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

    On 6 September 1944 16th SAAF Squadron bombed, among other places, Zenica bridge "Pehare", during Balkans campaign led from Italy

  • F-51Ds 2 Sqn SAAF Korea May 1951

    2 Squadron F51 Mustangs in Korea

  • SAAF Mirage F1CZ 1979

    Mirage F1CZ, on tarmac in 1979

  • Cheetah D fighter

    SAAF Cheetah D fighter

  • Security simulation at Swartkops Air Force Base

    A pair of Hawk 120s conduct a security simulation over Swartkop in preparation for the 2010 World Cup

  • SAAF C130 BZ Hercules of 28 Squadron

    SAAF C130 BZ Hercules of 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 ver 3

  • Rooivalk in flight (cropped)

    The Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter

  • ZS-RSA B737-300 SAF (4318930775)

    A Boeing 737 at Johannesburg International

  • 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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