MEDIA INVITATION BY SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE: CHANGE OF COMMAND PARADE TO BE HELD AT AIR FORCE BASE MAKHADO

Date of release 23 February 2011

On Friday 25 February 2011, The South African Air Force will host a parade at Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado where a change of command will be take place amongst four different Air Force units simultaneously at 10:30.

The units are: 2 Squadron, 85 Combat Flying School, 3 Air Servicing Unit and 515 Squadron.

Transformation in the Air Force has come full circle with the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Musa Mbhokota as the first Black pilot to assume command of 2 Squadron which is the host to Gripens and Hawks.

Colonel Silumko Vaaiboom, Lt Col Kevin Ogden and Lt Col Iris Joan Owen will also officially assume command of 5 Air Servicing Unit, 85 Combat Flying School and 515 Squadron respectively.

85 Combat Flying School is primarily responsible for producing air crew for Gripens and Hawks while the 3 Air Servicing Unit and 515 Squadron deal with technical support and protection services respectively.

As the Air Force’s prime fighter base, AFB Makhado boasts state of the art facilities which are meant to sustain the government’s priority of ensuring that the people of South Africa are and feel safe. It is in this vein that the Air Force has entrusted this mammoth responsibility to the officers mentioned above to be the drivers of this endeavour.

You are cordially invited to send a journalist and/or a cameraperson/photographer to cover the event. Please RSVP as indicated below on or before 12:00 on Thursday 24 February 2011.

Air transport has been arranged to ferry assigned journalists on a one-day-return trip to Air Force Base Makhado. Kindly be advised that space is offered on a first-come-first-serve basis and please provide your contact details and RSA Identity Document Number.

ENDS

Travelling details:

Departure: Air Force Base Waterkloof
Time: 07:00
Arrival in Makhado: 09:00
Departure in Makhado: 12:00
Arrival at Waterkloof: 13:00

Issued by: Department of Defence
Defence Corporate Communication