1 AIR SERVICE UNIT: A STATE ASSET THAT SOUTH AFRICA CAN DEPEND ON

Material and photos supplied by Lt Col O.J. Myburgh, DSM Officer, 1 ASU, AFB Waterkloof

Self-reliance plays a key role in any large-scale operational environment. The South African Air Force (SAAF) enjoys the services of many huge sections, but the design and manufacturing services (DMS) in the aircraft organisation appear to top the list among them. 

Repair of United Nations Fork Lift.

The 1 Air Servicing Unit (ASU) at AFB Waterkloof is home to the design and manufacturing services (DMS).  It supports the SAAF Directorates with aircraft-related manufacturing, maintenance and repair tasks. 

 
Re-spay of a specialised water tanker.
   

Structural components are some of the most common parts that are manufactured within 1 ASU. The process starts with engineering drawings, specified materials, correct manufacturing processes, quality audits and certification.

Re-spray of specialised water truck.

The maintenance tasks comprise aircraft painting, sheet metal tasks, survival equipment inspections and ground-support equipment repairs.  Other tasks include aircraft recoveries, de-activation and disposal of redundant equipment.  

Manufacturing of bench for Waterkloof Sickbay.

The Unit often extends their work into areas outside their core business.  It is therefore not surprising that 1 ASU became the second best of its kind to receive the Inspector-General Award for 2009.

The following achievements are examples of excellence in the DMS:

Support to the United Nations in Africa

Manufacturing of specialised wooden
box for Officer Commanding AFB Waterkloof.

It is important to note that the personnel at 1 ASU deploy to the DRC in support of the United Nations.  All these tasks are funded by the client

Re-work and spray of Gripen model aircraft.

Manufacturing of SAAF WO trophies.