South African Air Force
| South African Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag | |
Emblem of the South African Air Force | |
| Founded | 1 February 1920 |
| Country | South Africa |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 12,815 active personnel 1000 reserve personnel 275 aircraft (see List of aircraft of the South African Air Force) |
| Part of | South African National Defence Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Pretoria |
| Mottos | Latin: Per aspera ad astra "Through adversity to the stars" |
| Engagements | |
| Website | af.mil.za |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Chief of the Air Force | Lieutenant general Wiseman S Mbambo |
| Sergeant Major of the Air Force | Colin Stanton-Jones |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin flash | |
| Ensign | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | BAE Hawk, Milkor 380 |
| Electronic warfare | Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT, Cessna Caravan |
| Fighter | JAS 39 Gripen |
| Attack helicopter | Rooivalk |
| Multirole helicopter | Atlas Oryx, Lynx 300 |
| Trainer helicopter | Agusta A109 |
| Utility helicopter | Agusta A109, BK 117 |
| Patrol | C-47TP |
| Reconnaissance | Cessna Caravan, Milkor 380 |
| Trainer | Pilatus PC-7, BAE Hawk |
| Transport | C-130, CASA C.212, Cessna Caravan |
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.