Warrant Officer Class 1 S.J. Du Preez

WO1 S.J. Du Preez has been appointed as the Sergeant Major of the Air Force with effect 1 November 2002. This is a step up from his previous appointment as Sergeant Major of Air Command. Born Stephanus Johan he completed his education in Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool Pretoria in 1967 and thereafter attested in the Air Force as an apprentice Aircraft Mechanic and qualified in April 1971. In 1974 he qualified as a Flight Engineer on Helicopters. WO1 Du Preez served in 3 helicopter squadrons and flew operationally in all the original French manufactured helicopters in SAAF inventory. WO1 Du Preez has had various appointments and served on many forums in his career, he was appointed Squadron Logistical Officer 19 Sqn, co-ordinator of the SAAF exhibition at the Louis Trichardt Show and winning a gold medal. He served as Chairman of the SAAF Technical Trade Training Committee and as SO Flight Engineer at Air Command. He served a term of duty on the staff of Inspector General of the Air Force and was requested to be a technical advisor and judge to the 1997 helicopter competition.

His hobbies include gardening, socialising, reading and sport. He represented E Province, Natal Defence in volleyball. He is a keen golfer and won the Natal SAAF Golf Championships whilst stationed at 19 Sqn, AFB Durban. He is a Defence Force volleyball umpire, he was given Defence colours for rugby, cricket, baseball and soccer. He is a member of the South African Technical Institute, the SAAF Association and the MOTH’s. He is married to Elize and they have two children Eloise and Neil.

WO1 Du Preez firmly believes that "with the aid of the newly implemented South African Excellence Foundation, we will be able to identify the SAAF's strengths and areas for improvement to ensure success in Chief of the Air force's venture for Air Power Excellence". He fully supports CAF, the Air Force Board and the Air Command Council and sees his appointment as an ideal position from which he can be a major contributor to the success of the SAAF of the future.