COL S.J. BEKKER:
Col Bekker was born in Johannesburg on 27
December 1954. He attended Discovery Primary School and matriculated
at Florida Park High School in 1972.
The South African Airways initially employed him until 1976 when he
received an inter-departmental transfer to the South African Air
Force. During his employ at the South African Airways he did his
National Service in the South African Air Force.
He attended Pilots Course 2/76 and received his wings in December
1977 on Impala aircraft at Air Force Base Langebaanweg, after having
done his ab initio flying training on Harvards at Central Flying
School Dunnottar.
Col Bekker’s flying tours consist of flying
a. Harvards as a flying instructor;
b. Kudu aircraft;
c. Dakota DC3s;
d. Dakota C47TPs;
e. King Airs;
f. Cessna Caravans; and
g. Part-time duty at the Air Force Museum on the Albatross
aircraft as well as the Dakota DC3.
The above tours were at 41 Squadron, 44 Squadron
and Central Flying School Dunnottar. He also had two command tours
as Officer Commanding 44 and 41 Squadrons.
He is an “A1” category qualified flying instructor.
Col Bekker was also employed
a. At SAAF College from 1982 until 1987 as a
Directing Staff Member;
b. At the Air Force Command Post;
c. At the Directorate Force Preparation;
d. At the Directorate Operational Plans;
e. On the staff of the Inspector General of the Air Force (IGAF)
from 1999 until 2004;
f. And at the Directorate Military Aviation Regulations and
Policy.
Col Bekker competed his Senior Command and Staff
Course in 1995 and was promoted to Colonel on 1 January 2002.
Some of Col Bekker’s career highlights are
a. Receiving his wings;
b. Flying in the Harvard 50 ship formation in 1990;
c. Being a Squadron Commander;
d. And being the Senior Assessor at Inspector General of the Air
Force from 2002 until 2004.
e. He was also a member of the team that pioneered the
introduction of the Excellence Model into the SAAF in 1999 under
the guidance of Lt Gen C. Gagiano (then Inspector General of the
Air Force).
f. The latest highlight is his appointment as the Officer
Commanding Air Force Base Durban.
He is a life member of the South African Air Force Association
and served as the Vice Chairman of the Eastern Transvaal Branch
from 1989 to 1991, also serving on the National Executive
Committee during this same period.
Col Bekker is married to Marina, and they have
four children and two grand children.
