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AFB

SAAF will not close any units at AFB Makhado

Date: 23 April 2016 By: Andries van Zyl

The South African Air Force (SAAF) this week dismissed media reports that it will be forced to close some of its units.

In the Beeld of 27 March, it was reported that the SAAF will soon be forced to close either 85 Combat Flying School or 2 Squadron at Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado outside Louis Trichardt as a result of a 10% cut in the SAAF’s annual budget. This was according to military analyst Helmoed Heitman when asked to comment about the dilemma facing the SAAF. A similar article appeared on the DefenceWeb website.

“The SAAF has no intention to close 85 Combat Flying School or 2 Squadron or any other unit within the SAAF.” This was the clear message from Brig Gen Marthie Visser, director of SAAF’s Corporate Staff Services. She responded to a media enquiry by the Zoutpansberger about the future of the two units and its members at AFB Makhado this week.  

The initial reports stated that if a decision was to be taken as to what unit should be closed, it would probably be the Hawk unit. Apart from the 10% budget cut, it was argued that the depreciation of the rand also played a major role as it had become too expensive to purchase replacement parts for the planes, especially with regard to the Hawks as parts have to be bought in British pounds.    

With regard to the above, Visser admitted that although they were under severe budgetary pressure, the SAAF was doing everything in its power to keep its planes in the air. “The SAAF and Combat budget is currently under revision and, although under severe pressure, consistent strategies are being formulated daily to ensure that no capabilities are lost and/or closed. The pressure to ensure that all contracts and flying hours can be maintained is, however, a priority,” Visser said.

Visser added that, following the media reports, sessions were conducted with the base personnel to assure them of the importance of the tasks they perform and that there are no plans to close the base or any of its units. “Owing to the current budget allocation deficiencies and continual price escalations, it is, however, extremely difficult to maintain the full amount of flying hours and certain cuts had to be absorbed and limitations were implemented without a loss in capability,” Visser said.

AFB Makhado, originally known as AFB Louis Trichardt, was officially opened in October 1987. It was first home to the Cheetah E aircraft from 5 Squadron, which were phased out by the Cheetah C in 1992. The arrival of the Cheetah D training flight in 1992, following the closing down of AFB Pietersburg, resulted in the centralisation of all Cheetah assets at AFB Louis Trichardt.

In addition, AFB Louis Trichardt was also home to 19 Squadron, equipped with Oryx helicopters. In 2003, however, the SAAF assigned AFB Louis Trichardt the status of a fighter base and the decision was taken to co-locate the Hawk and Gripen fleet at AFB Louis Trichardt. This led to the Oryx fleet of 19 Squadron relocating to AFB Hoedspruit to make way for 85 Combat Flying School in 2004, the same year the base’s name changed from AFB Louis Trichardt to AFB Makhado. The following year (2005) saw the transition of the base to becoming an all-jet base, with the SAAB Gripen replacing the Cheetah fleet in 2008.

 
 
 

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Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

 
 

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