Major General F.J. (Lappies) Labuschagne

Maj Gen Frans J. Labuschagne was born in Johannesburg in March 1950 and matriculated from Alberton High School. He joined the South African Air Force in 1968 and qualified as a pilot in 1969. He obtained his Bachelor of Military Science Degree at the Military Academy, in Saldanha in 1972. He completed his Senior Command and Staff Course in 1985 and the Joint Staff Course in 1994 respectively.

During the period 1973 to 1976 he served as a basic flying instructor, teaching student pilots on Harvard (T6) and Impala (MB326M&K) aircraft. The following four years he served as a pilot attack instructor at 85 Combat Flying Training School. After completing the Mirage III Operational Conversion Course he was posted to 24 Squadron. Over a period of eight years, from 1980 to 1988 he filled various posts on this squadron ending his tour being the Officer Commanding of the squadron for the last four years.

For the remainder of his career to date, Maj Gen Labuschagne has served in the South African Air Force Headquarters as staff officer and senior staff officer involved with the force preparation of the fighter/bomber squadrons in the South African Air Force. From 1992 to 1994 he served as the Officer Commanding of Central Flying School Langebaanweg and for the period December 1994 to June 1998 he served as Attaché in Washington DC. Upon his return from USA he went back to the Directorate Force Preparation and has served as Chief Director Force Preparation in the Air Command from April 1999 to December 2003. He served as GOC Air Command since January 2004.

Maj Gen Labuschagne is married to Irene and has two children, both married, and has two grand daughters. He is interested in golf, motorcycling and the collecting of old literature.