Change of Command of the SAAF- LtGen Carlo "Kattie" Gagiano handing comand to LtGen Fabian "Zakes" Msimang

Residents of Centurion may have been slightly confused on Friday 28th September 2012, Believing that AAD 2012 had drawn to a close suddenly the skies were once again filled with the sound of “thundering Jets”. The aircraft were in fact flying to mark the change of command of the South African Airforce and subsequent retirement of LtGen.Carlo Gagiano after an illustrious caree spanning 44 years, LtGen Gagiano joined the South African Airforce in 1968 and qualified as a pilot on the Air Macchi 326M  “Impala” in December 1969

In 1985 he completed the South African Air Force's Senior Command and Staff Course and was subsequently appointed as the OC 3 Squadron, operating Mirage F1CZ aircraft. In 1989 he was appointed as the Officer Commanding 89 Combat Flying School, flying Cheetah D aircraft. During his career he flew many aircraft including T6G Harvards, PC 7 Astra’s, Pilatus PC 12’s, De Haviland Vampire, Canadair Sabre, Mirage III, Mirage F1CZ and the Cheetah D, many of which took part in the flypast at the parade.

From 1991 to 1994 he was the South African military attaché to Isreal. On his return from Israel, Gen. Gagiano attended the South African National Defence Force's Joint Staff Course. He served as Inspector-General of the Air Force from 1998 to 2000, as Chief Director: Operations Development from 2000 to 2005, and was promoted to Chief of the Air Force in 2005 where he reamind until his retirement.

LtGen. Fabian “Zakes” Msimang  officially accepted  command of the SAAF at a formal parade hosted by the Airforce Base Swartkops.  Gen Msimang enters the position with a very impressive curriculum vitae spanning many years.

He received his initial flying training at Frunze 1 Central Officers Training Center -Kirghizstan, in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from 1986 to 1991, during this time he saw combat in Angola.He graduated from the institution with a diploma in Command & Tactics of Military Aviation.

 He was appointed assistant project officer on Project Flange in Italy where he also completed the Senior Staff Course at the Italian Air Force War School.

On his return from Italy, Msimang was then appointed Officer Commanding of the Helicopter Flying School at Airforce Base Bloemspruit Gen.Msimang completed the Executive National Security Program at the SANDF College.

Congratulations and Godspeed Gen. Msimang may your time as Chief of the Airforce be filled with success and prosperity. Gen Gagiano Farwell and Thank you for your unfailing service to the South African Airforce and to South Africa as a whole you will be missed.

Oryx flying the SANDF Flag

Cessna Caravans in tight formation

Silver Falcons passing the moon

Gripen JAS-39 dropping Falres

Roy Sproul over the moon with the Falcons display

PC12 passing over the Parade

Silver Falcons bidding the CAF farewell

28 sqd waking Centurion up Low, Fast and Loud in the C130 BZ

Outgoing Chief inspecting the Colours 

March Past

Harvrd 7111 "Nelson" Masterfully flown by Col. Niel Thomas

BAE Hawks flying off into the sunset

Pc7 mkII passing 

PC12 showing off her amazing lines

Impala Mk1 ZS-IMP Flown by Dawid Laas

Col. Rama Iyer in his beloved Vampier

Mike Wiengartz in the Cheetah D named "Bandit"

Martin "Marlouw" Louw putting the F1AZ through its paces 

Falcon Break

Augusta A109 no. 4011 

Gen. John Church in the Puma 

Oryx 1246 Joining in the fun

Rooivalk brinning up the rear

Gripen JAS -39 showing off the afterburner

Blokkies Joubert alone in the Sky with Gripen 19

Lighting up the skies with a Gripen JAS-39

Final Farewell for Lt.Gen. Carlo Gaigiano