Unit Emblem Air Force Gymnasium

 
Air Force Gymnasium
   
 
 
 

 Mission & Vision

VISION

To Become A Centre For Training Excellence

MISSION

The Air Force Gymnasium is the supplier of efficient
Military Training to members of the South African Air Force
and other interest groups. We ensure in a Professional way that the foundation is laid for further training and employment in accordance with the requirements of the SA Air Force

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 Key Success Factors

Empowered Individuals

Career Management
Discipline
Training
Retention of expertise
Delegation of duties

Dynamic Leadership

Effective communication
Customer focus
Financial management
Leadership Command and management practices|
Unity of purposes
Decisive decision making

Transformed Unit

Affordable

Sustainable

Align to external and changing environment

Enabling environment

Synergy between Human Resource Component and leadership

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 Emblem

THE EAGLE:

Denotes the Unit’s connection with the South African Air Force

THE RAYS:

Trained members going out in different directions after completion of Basic Military Training, as worthwhile Air Force members

THE SUN:

Depicts the up-and-coming youth.

"E GYMNASIO VIRTUS"

"The Gymnasium brings forth virtue"

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 History

Since the Air Force Gymnasium’s foundation on 1 December 1951 and the first intake of 133 recruits on 3 February 1952, the Unit has expanded and developed with pride.

In January 1959 the Air Force Gymnasium was moved from the former Air Force Station Lyttleton, known today as 68 Air School, to the present site at Valhalla. Since it’s first year of existence, the Air Force Gymnasium has become a prestige unit - a unit which maintains thorough training and high standards.

In the past, up to 5000 National Servicemen and 800 Permanent Force members were trained per year. After they have completed Basic Military Training, the men and women are transferred to the various units of the South African Air Force for employment, or further specialist training in their particular musterings. Although basic training is the primary task of the Air Force Gymnasium, the training of Protection Services, Fire Department and the School of Cookery is also present here.

The Air Force Gymnasium also handles all logistical and administrative matters pertaining to the SA Air Force Band stationed on the Unit.

Without the selfless service and support rendered by the staff functions, success would not have been achieved. The unassuming contribution of everyone, regardless of mustering or rank, has been of the utmost importance.

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 The Research and Development Wing

The Research and Development Wing is primarily responsible for the drafting of professional learning programmes for the Protection Services Mustering, which are presented at the Air Force Gymnasium. The learning programmes focus particularly on protection training and regimental training.

The service we have to provide to our primary client, the Air Force Gymnasium and its learners is extremely important and it is our responsibility to ensure that training is done professionally and contributes to the achievement of the larger objectives of the Air Force. We have to add value to the training that is provided.

The success of the Research and Development team is essential to the overall training and learning process at the Air Force Gymnasium and it is in our hands to achieve that success.

It is up to us to work together as a team in achieving our planned goals and objectives. We are further responsible for our own self-development and career advancement to ensure that we contribute as professional individuals to the Protection mustering in the SAAF.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING: VISION

The vision of the Research and Development Wing is to become the organisational leader in the process of instructional design, learning material development and evaluation of Regimental and Protection Learning Programmes. We will earn the respect of training staff and learners in the SAAF through continuous improvement driven by the integrity, teamwork and innovation of the members of the Research and Development family at the Air Force Gymnasium.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING: MISSION

Our mission is to be the leading Research and Development team in the SAAF. Our purpose is to:

    1. Meet and exceed customer expectations through a renewed focus on excellence in training.
    2. Provide a rewarding environment for our team members to grow in and develop to their full personal potential.
    3. Excel in the improvement of the Learning Programmes through an effective evaluation system.
    4. Embrace change and use it to the advantage of the organisation and to the ultimate benefit of the learner.
    5. Be flexible and adaptable when new and constructive ideas emerge.
    6. Contribute to the development of learners and trainers by providing guidance, inputs and information when and where required.

VALUES OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING

The values of the Research and Development Wing include.

    1. Tolerance for mistakes as we view mistakes as learning opportunities.
    2. Enthusiasm towards change and its associated results for the future.
    3. Obsession with the contribution to quality training.
    4. Acquiring skills, knowledge and attitudes not only for us, but also for the organisation.
    5. Openness to collaboration with mutual partners.
    6. Value for constructive criticism in order to improve work processes and outputs.
    7. Strive to become a "mini" learning organisation within the larger learning organisation.

WHY THE WOLF AS THE "MASCOT" OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING?

We see wolves as an instructive and inspiring natural metaphor. People can learn a great deal from wolves. Wolves are dedicated team players and great communicators - two key success factors in today’s workplaces. They are durable, adaptable, and capable of survival in the harshest of conditions. Alpha wolves, who may be either male or female, are strong and bold leaders. A mature wolf is the product of a lifelong learning process, a caring social support system and demanding role models. Wolves work hard and play hard. They pursue their goals relentlessly and tirelessly. Indeed, wolves can teach us much. We are eager to learn. We need to learn. There is much to do.

MOTTO OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING

The motto of the Research and Development Wing is "Stop complaining and start requesting!" This motto emphasises the fact that we should work constructively towards making changes and not always complain about the situation at hand. (The motto is adapted from Dr. P. McCraw, PhD, alias Dr. Phil)

 

SAAF PROTECTION SERVICES TRAINING

(PROTECTION OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS)

 

FLOW DIAGRAM FOR THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING.

MAJ S. BARNARD

WING COMMANDER

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

 

CAPT D.A LOUW

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

PROTECTION TRAINING

LT S. WESSELS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

REGIMENTAL TRAINING
 

 

WO 1 M. PRETORIUS (WING WO)

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WARRANT OFFICER

PROTECTION TRAINING

F SGT R.T. ALEXANDER

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WARRANT OFFICER

REGIMENTAL TRAINING
 

 

SGT R.T. DAVIES

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

PROTECTION NCO

 

THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM

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 Training Control Wing

WHAT WE DO

The Training Control Wing is the nodal point for training on the Air Force Gymnasium. We supply support administration with respect to evaluations, examination papers, certificates, individual and consolidated course reports, operational orders. Trends and Tendencies as well as bench marking are supplied to the instructor to assist him/her in their tasks. Statistics are kept and supplied to higher authority. We also assist foreign training courses from America and Britain. If you want something, we will try our hardest to get it for you.

KEY VALUES

  • CO-OPERATE
  • OPPORTUNITIES
  • NATURE
  • TRUSTWORTHY
  • RESPECT
  • OFFER A CLIENT SERVICE
  • LEADERSHIP

MOTTO

"STRIVE FOR SUCCESS AND COMMITMENT"

VISION

TO SUPPORT TRAINING THROUGH EXCELLENT ADMINISTRATION AND EVALUATIONS

MISSION

THE TRAINING CONTROL WING STRIVES TO BE A PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT CENTRE TO ALL CLIENTS AT THE AIR FORCE GYMNASIUM AND OTHER INTEREST GROUPS

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