South African Airforce - 75 years

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Cachet: 5 Sliver Falcons with smoke trails.

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THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE The South African Air Force - the second oldest air force in the world - celebrates its 75th anniversary on 1 February 1995. In June 1920, Lieutenant Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld, later General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, was appointed Director of Air Services with the temporary rank of Colonel, retrospective to 1 February 1920, with instructions to establish an air force for the Union of South Africa. 1 February 1920 is therefore regarded as the founding date of the South African Air Force. During the following two decades, the South African Air Force (SAAF) was to pioneer many aspects of aviation in South Africa, including air-mail routes, crop-dusting and aerial survey. The fledgling SAAF was involved in its first action in 1922 when a miners' strike on the Rand led to the declaration of martial law following violent clashes between the South African Police and the strikers. The outbreak of the Second World War saw a rapid build-up of forces thanks to far-sighted planning during the preceding years. The SAAF subsequently played a major role in the various theatres of war such as East Africa, North Africa, the Western Desert and Italy. During the war, pilots and aircrews were trained in thirty-eight air schools in South Africa for the South African Air Force, Royal Air Force and other Allied air forces. Ultimately a total of 33 347 aircrew and 7 764 pilots were trained in South Africa. During the Korean War, the SAAF (2 Squadron) served with the United Nations' forces. They gained a reputation for outstanding bravery and complete dedication to duty. Over the years, humanitarian flights in assisting civilians have formed a very important part of the South African Air Force's task. Many yachtsmen, swimmers, mountaineers, forest firefighters and victims of shipping disasters, accidents, floods and other natural disasters owe their lives to the skill and dedicated professionalism of the pilots, air and ground crews of the SAAF. With the escalation of insurgency in northern South West Africa (now Namibia) during the late sixties, the SAAF was back on active service with air supply missions, pre-emptive strikes, close support missions, assistance to the civilians and casualty evacuations. In 1990, the SAAF introduced a rationalisation programme to create a lean and mean machine within budget constraints. Today the SAAF is the supplier of professional and cost-effective operational air capabilities. Through its inherent flexibility and modern means, it secures the airspace and satisfies the unique needs of the security forces and other interest groups. The South African Air Force is proud to serve the people of South Africa.

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