INTRODUCTION
 “Definitely
the single biggest gathering of fighter aircraft in South Africa
in many a year”, is how Fighter Meet 2005 was described by a
‘serious’ aviation enthusiast; and what more appropriate
location to host the Meet than at AFB Makhado, the assigned
“Fighter Centre of Excellence” of the South African Air Force.
Not only will the Hawk Mk 120
Lead-In-Fighter-Trainer (LIFT) be stationed at AFB Makhado, but
eventually when the Cheetahs of 2 Squadron begin phasing-out, so
too will SAABs JAS-39 Gripen be co-located with the Hawk at AFB
Makhado. AFB Makhado is currently in the process of finalising
the many structural changes required to accommodate the Hawk Mk
120 LIFT as from early August 2005 and what better opportunity
to commemorate the first public viewing of the SAAFs Hawks at
their operational home base, than hosting Africa’s first ever
Fighter Meet on 8 October 2005.
WHY A FIGHTER MEET?
As the Fighter Centre of
Excellence, AFB Makhado is obligated to take responsibility for
the guardianship of the fighter pilot ethos, operational
training and the ‘knowledge’. Most certainly, the delivery of
the Hawk and Gripen will signal the major milestones of the
fighter capital replacement programmes within the SAAF and it is
therefore necessary to mark such milestones in our air force’s
history. These acquisitions will not only move the RSA onto the
top rung of the ladder in terms of fighter technologies, but
present current and future fighter pilots with exciting
challenges of utilising some of the newest aerodynamics,
propulsion and military avionics capabilities available in the
military aviation field.
There is no doubt that over
the past few years, there has been relatively little public
relations campaigns proclaiming the role and function of fighter
pilots in protecting the sovereignty of our airspace. In fact,
it would not be untrue to say that the romanticism associated
with the fighter pilot has all but disappeared, this of course
is not an uncommon trait of a society without a conventional
threat. The population is more exposed to commercial aviation
and transport type operations, be it civil or military.
Also of concern is the fact
that it has been ten years since the last air show was held at
the SAAFs fighter base, AFB Makhado adding to the frustration of
the Limpopo Province which has traditionally been one of the
orphans of South African aviation - this event would certainly
provide a significant boost in terms of exposure. Although a
strong theoretical programme reaches out to the youth in the
Limpopo Province through Siyandiza, the actual awakening of the
passion for aviation can only be achieved by exposure to the
sounds and smells of the actual aircraft. The majority of the
population is not even aware of the name change of AFB Louis
Trichardt to AFB Makhado or even the fact that the Hawk and
Gripen will be co-located there. It is necessary to rectify the
situation.
The sustaining element of any
reputable air force is its fighter force and as such the aim of
the Fighter Meet will be an attempt to restore the romanticism
associated with fighter pilots and their aircraft. As the SAAFs
“Fighter Centre of Excellence”, the responsibility rests with
AFB Makhado. The continued exposure of fighter aircraft to the
aspirant fighter pilots throughout the region will stimulate the
youth in their quest to become fighter pilots and help to
rekindle the romanticism associated with the fighter pilot.
FIGHTER MEET THEME
The theme is obviously the
meeting of fighter pilots with their fighters and fighter
trainers, past, present and future. It is well worth remembering
that this will not be an ‘air show’ in the strictest sense of
the word, but rather a display of fighter and fighter training
aircraft. Derived from the term Fighter Meet, it implies a Meet
where all the pilots flying fighter aircraft are able to bond
and share in this excitement, while the flying emphasis will be
on demonstrating fighter aircraft in their various roles and
functions. Let’s not forget the nostalgia element associated
with the display of vintage fighters and fighter trainers.
The display will be somewhat
different from the airshows currently on the South African
circuit. Emphasis will be on formation aerobatics, 2 V 1 air
combat, simulated weapons attacks, flight refuelling simulations
– in fact, a more military focus demonstrating the operational
capabilities of the various aircraft. Sharing some of the
concepts from the Royal International Air Tattoo, trophies will
be awarded to the most professional formation aerobatic display
team and the most professional solo display.
PARTICIPATION
The establishment of the SADC
and the concomitant defence agreements between the different
countries has provided the ideal opportunity for the
establishment of a ‘brotherhood of fighter pilots’ within the
region. Invitations have been extended to SADC air forces in an
effort to build a sound relationship with the fighter forces of
our neighbouring States.
Such a ‘brotherhood of fighter
pilots’ in the region would most certainly have extended
benefits of a strategic nature and such a biennial
‘get-together’ of all fighter pilots in the country and
neighbouring countries would certainly go a long way to
cementing relationships with neighbouring States. To date, no
clarity exists as to exactly which SADC countries will
participate actively but it is hoped that at least two will
accept the invitation.
Participants will be derived
from the South African Air Force, the Vintage Fighter aircraft
owners in South Africa and the SADC region fighter squadrons.
Typical vintage fighters such as the Sea Fury, Hunter, Mirage
III and Mirage F1 will be on display while the vintage fighter
trainers will be represented by the Tiger Moth, Harvard, Aero
L-29 and L-39. The current and future components will be
represented by Impala, Cheetah and Hawk. Gripen will
unfortunately not be displayed at this Fighter Meet. The static
display park will include different air-to-air and air-to-ground
weapons including the South African defence industry
contributions. It is also hoped that not only will the real
fighters display their wares, but also the radio controlled
fighter aircraft such as the Impala Mk I and the Mirage IIII.
FLYING PROGRAMME
The flying programme is
planned to start at approximately 12:00 and continue until 16:00
and approximately eight minutes per display event for fixed wing
aircraft and 12 minutes for formation aerobatic teams will be
scheduled. The culmination of the airshow will in all likelihood
be a mass flypast of fighter aircraft – what a message this
could send out to the rest of Africa and also the international
community.
Besides the show of force
impact of such a ‘Meet’, the symbolism of a ‘fighter
brotherhood’ in the SADC countries could reap huge strategic
benefits for all participating member States. Most importantly,
the Fighter Meet will go a long way to breathing life back into
the romanticism of being a fighter pilot.
Fighter Meet 2005 will be preceded by a Fighter
Pilot Workgroup on Friday 0710h00 October 2005 that will deal
with issues relating to fighter operations in the context of the
African scenario. The following brief presentations, 10 minutes
to 30 minutes duration, will provisionally be made:
1. Brig Gen Des Barker (OC AFB Makhado) – SAAF
Fighter Force 2000+. 2.
Col Jan Mienie (Airwing Co AFB Makhado) – International
Assistance Requirements for Humanitarian Support within the
African Context. 3. Maj
‘Smiley’. de Villiers (Operations Officer 2 Squadron) – Combined
Strikes and Tactical Reconnaissance.
4. Maj Lloyd Hains (Intelligence Officer 2
Squadron) – Intelligence Collection Regarding Future Operations
in SADC. 5. Capt
Catherine Labuschagne (Pilot 85 Combat FS) – The Standing of
Females on Fighter Squadrons.
6. Lt ‘Lancelot’ Matabula (Pilot 85 Combat FS) –
Maintenance and Evaluation of Flying Standards in the Fighter
Line. 7. Capt Craig
Leeson (Air Combat Officer 2 Squadron) – African Air Defence
Concepts. 8. Capt Hanno
du Plooy (Pilot Attack Instructor 85 Combat FS) – Africa Fighter
Training Centre. 9. Lt
Col Gary Newman (Directorate Aviation Safety) – Global
Navigation Satellite Systems - The Technology and Future
Operations. |
