Chapter 2 - P rogramme 1 - Department of Defence

Overview
During the past year, the South African Air Force
once again proved to be a national asset and
contributor to Government initiatives. Elements
of air power continued to support contingents of
the SA National Defence Force that were deployed
abroad in pursuance of NEPAD and Government
initiatives towards achieving a peaceful and stable
Continent.
During the period under review, the SA Air Force
was involved in a number of external operations on
the African Continent. A total of 2 280 hours were
flown in support of deployments in Mozambique
(assistance during floods and munitions clearingup),
the Comoros (election support and support to
deployed SA Police Service) and the Central African
Republic (military assistance and training). These
included regular logistic supply flights and tactical
mobility within these and other areas of operation.
In addition to air support, 138 Protection Service
members assisted in supporting Government
imperatives with deployments at various locations
within Africa, including the Comoros.
The SA Air Force’s support of Government
initiatives also included local and international
exercises with the SA Army, SA Navy, South
African Police Service, the US Navy and the
German Air Force. Exercises GREEN POINT
and POLOKWANE formed part of a series of
joint exercises to develop doctrine and to evaluate
security plans in preparation for the Soccer World
Cup 2010.
Air support within South Africa received priority,
with a total of 559 hours that were flown in support
of the South African Army, South African Navy
and the South African Police Service during border
control operations. A further 482 flying hours were
flown in direct support of crime prevention in rural
areas and 594 flying hours during the provision
of humanitarian assistance. During maritime
reconnaissance, 321 flying hours were flown in
support of the South African Navy. Combined and
multinational exercises accounted for 945 hours.
The funding of air mobility for diplomatic missions
remained a high priority for the Air Force during
FY 2007/08. Various aircraft in support of very
| Department of Defence |
CHAPTER 5
Programme 3: Air Defence
important person (VIP) dignitaries flew a total of
1 460 hours, carrying 2 581 VIPs. A further 1 423
flying hours were used to transport other important
persons, carrying a total of 2 902 passengers.
The transformation programme, especially in the
core musterings of the Air Force, received high
priority during this time. Two pupil pilot courses
were completed during FY 2007/08, with a total
of 42 pilots qualifying. Of these, 16,7% were
female and 59,5% were black pilots. The Air Force
Reserves played a valuable and growing role in
augmenting the Air Force’s capacity, delivering
64 241 man-days during the year under review.
Reserve Force Squadrons contributed 8,5% of the
force employment flying hours.
The integration and operationalisation of the
Strategic Defence Package aircraft such as the
Hawk, A109 and the Lynx continued through the
year and good progress was made. Eight Agusta
A109 helicopters were delivered during the reporting
period, bringing the total received to 21 of the full
complement of 30. All four Lynx helicopters and
another four Hawks were delivered, bringing the
total to 20, of 24 Hawks ordered. A highlight of
FY 2007/08 was the successful establishment of the
newly integrated Lynx helicopter on the Operational
Support Information System (OSIS), providing
support electronically and not on a manual reporting
system. As in previous years, however, the underfunding
of the operating budget continued to have
a negative effect on the optimisation of the newly
acquired systems and the continued decline of main
air systems to conduct external operations. In an
effort to overcome these challenges in the most
efficient and economical way, senior management
embarked on creating solutions, such as improved
accountability, better efficiency and improved career
management to effect skills retention.
The original planned human resources budget
versus actual payments for the full year reflected
only a 0.007% deviation, which is an indication of
excellent human resources planning and budgeting
in the South African Air Force. Recruitment during
FY 2007/08 increased the number of Military Skills
Development System members in the South African
Air Force to 989. In this regard, overall black and
117 Annual Report FY 2007 - 2008
| Chapter 5 - Programme 3: Air Defence |