15 Squadron SAAF

October 2019 15 Squadron SAAF-15 Squadron-BK117-002.jpg 300 BK 117 in 15 Squadron service 1939–present South Africa 25px South African Air Force Light Transport AFB Durban "Aquila Petit Ardua" (The Eagle Seeks the Heights) BK 117, Atlas Oryx ZP (1943)Flintham Vic Combat Codes 2003 Pen & Sword Aviation Barnesly 978-1-84415-691-7 165 Squadron Identification Code 100px 15 Squadron crest 15 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron. History The squadron was formed on 18 September 1939 as a SAAF Coastal Command squadron based at Cape Town.Ambrose-Brown James A Gathering of Eagles: South African forces World War II: Vol II 1970 Purnell Cape Town 26 During the war it flew Junkers Ju-86, Bristol Blenheim and Martin Maryland aircraft.Martin H.J. (Lt-Gen) South Africa at War: Military and Industrial Organisation and Operations in connection with the conduct of War: 1939–1945 (South African Forces World War II: Volume VII) 1979 Purnell Cape Town 0-86843-025-0 Orpen, N.D. 276 plate 7 The squadron suffered a tragedy in May 1942, when eleven out of twelve personnel perished when three Blenheims encountered a sand storm and lost their bearings during a training flight and had to make an emergency landing in the desert.Coetzee J.J.M. The Tragedy at Kufra http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol122jc.html The South African Military History Society Military History Journal 12 2 December 2001 26 June 2014 The squadron flew Baltimore 5 Light Bombers in May 1945 as part of 253 Wing of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.Shores Christopher F. Pictorial History of the Mediterranean air War: Vol II: RAF 1943–1945 1973 Ian Allan 0-7110-0433-1 108 Notable Second World War members include Harry Schwarz, who in 1984 was made honorary colonel of the squadron. Post Second World War Aircraft flown after the war included the Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon and the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. The current base is AFB Durban situated at the old Durban International Airport. It operates Atlas Oryx and MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 helicopters. Their primary role is maritime and landward search and rescue. Two flights of Oryx, A and B Flights, are based in Durban and C Flight, consisting of four BK 117s is detached to AFS Port Elizabeth. The current BK 117 aircraft of C Flight were originally inherited from the Apartheid-era "homelands", the Ciskei having acquired 3 in 1983, Venda 2 in 1985, Transkei 2 in 1986 and Bophuthatswana 2 in 1987, making a total of 10 with an extra delivered from Brazil. Two of the aircraft have already been mothballed at AFB Bloemspruit. Four remain in service with 15 Squadron. C Flight's conversion to Agusta A109LUH helicopters has been postponed due to delays in developing emergency flotation equipment for the type, thus precluding its use in a maritime environment.http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-events/704/retirement-of-saaf-bk117-may-be-further-delayed Retirement of SAAF BK117 may be further delayed Saairforce.co.za 18 June 2012 Attrition 2 November 1999 Bk117 384 rolled over after emergency landing March 2003 BK117 383 involved in an accident, later declared Cat 5 and cannibalised 20 August 2003 BK117 389 written-off during Exercise Blue Angel Roll of Honour In respect of those recipients about whom it is available, the actions they were cited for follow below the table, since inclusion in the table itself is impractical. Name Rank NS no. Date of action Unit ServiceArmSelvan, Vasudevan Selvan, Vasudevan – Awarded for his action in saving the life of a SANDF Special Forces Officer during Operation FIBRE, while stationed in Bujumbura, Burundi.Sgt001dmy on 2002-02-2015 SqnSAAFPidsley, Douglas W. Pidsley, Douglas W. – DFC awarded for his actions in the sinking of the Prosperina which was Rommels last hope to resupply his forces wanting to push into Africa.Major001dmy on 1942-10-2615 SqnSAAF thumb|180px|F Sgt Vasudevan Selvan NS Actions cited for References 30em External links Category:Squadrons of the South African Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1939 Category:Military units and formations in Durban Category:Military units and formations in Gqeberha Category:1939 establishments in South Africa