Warlock AV8ion Photography: SAAF Air Power Capability Demonstration October 2013

Roodewal Bombing Range-Limpopo Province

The South African Air Force Joint Helicopter operations were the host directorate for the second bi-annual Air Power Capability Demonstration held at Roodewal Bombing range North of Polokwane.

Lt Gen Zakes Msimang

Lt Gen Zakes Msimang (Chief of the Air Force) addressed the media and outlined his “Back to Basics” policy which is currently being instituted in the SAAF. The policy has been formulated in an attempt to return the SAAF to its former respected position. Discipline will be enforced and all members will have to partake in mandatory physical training.

The Chief also illuminated the skills retention and development program that the SAAF will be embarking on. Generals Martins, Malinga, Mbombo and Pelser were also at hand to answer any questions that the media may have had.

After the media briefing a hearty breakfast was enjoyed by all, at breakfast the senior generals were seated amongst the guests and media which gave rise to some interesting conversation. I was fortunate to be seated with the CAF and Lt General Baine who explained the rotation programme currently being used for the Grippens at AFB Makhado, No Grippens are in long term storage or “mothballed” they are all on a rotation programme which allows for required aircraft to be active at any given time and the rest of the fleet on various states of standby some no more than 3 hours away from being fully serviceable, all 26 Gripens are being utilised as and when the need arises.

Soon after breakfast it was time to board the waiting DC9 for the 30 minute flight to Polokwane international airport, as in the past all present were very well looked by the crew from Global Airlines. Upon landing all the guests were bussed to the bombing range where a welcome cup of coffee was enjoyed. Unfortunately the weather had taken a turn for the worse, low cloud and icy winds seemed to be on the cards for the day.

Gen Malinga Officially opened the Event

Major General Malinga officially opened proceedings touching slightly on the upcoming deployment of 16 Squadron in the DRC and apologised for the absence of the Rooivalk AH2 attack helicopter as preparations were being made for the deployment.

Oryx's approach with Bambi buckets

Water drop

The display was kicked off by a flypast of two Oryx helicopters with “bambi buckets” showing their ability to accurately water bomb a fire simulated by a smoke grenade. As Roodewal is a nature conservation area all fires that start as a result of the weapons demonstrations would have to be brought under control before they posed a threat to the abundant game roaming the range.

Fire guys always ready

28 Squadron demonstrated their ability to support ground troops by doing a massive cargo drop , they managed to drop their full payload of crates within a 1000 x 1500 meter target area. The C130 is celebrating its 50^th year of service with the SAAF this year.

C-130 preparing for cargo drop

Away they go

Spot on Target

The display as is customary took the form of a mock battle sparked by the simulated downing of a BK-117 helicopter, this BK-117 is currently deployed for Anti Poaching duty in the Kruger National Park.

BK-117

BK-117 simulated crash

The battle was co-ordinated from an Agusta A109 which quickly flew in to access the situation.

Agusta A109 carrying the mission comander

Followed by the troop deployments by Oryx helicopters from 17 Squadron, various deployment methods were demonstrated Rapid Repel, Abseiling and of course the operational landing.

Troops ready for rapid repel

Off they Go

Safe on the ground

Oryx leaving the scene quickly

The Oryx was also used to deliver the “gecko” all terrain vehicle used by the Special Forces soldiers.

Oryx's inbound with Troops and the Gheko (special forces rapid deployment vehicle)

Oryx and Gheko

Touch down

Long Rope deployment

The battlefield

Mortar batteries returned fire as the ground troops advanced demonstrating the “fire and movement” tactics this is very dangerous as all troops were using live ammunition.

Quick landing to deploy ground troops

Mortar batteries doing their thing

And away she goes

Using an ant-hill for target practise

Fire!!!!!! Result of the tracers

Tracers flying all over the place

A-109 inspecting the Fire

The troops were then given the order to retreat and once again the Oryx’s were called in to evacuate all the ground forces, this would normally be done under cover fire from the Rooivalk AH2 attack helicopters.

Oryx preping for long line extraction

Mount that Steed

Extracting wounded

And away they gp

Oryx and BK117

Long rope extraction

Collecting the gheko

The Gripen JAS-39 and BAE Hawk Mk 120 jets could unfortunately not take part in the battle as the cloud base was very low 1200ft AGL, Gen Malinga was quick to point out that had this been real operation they would not have hesitated to engage.

C-130 Pride of 28 Squadron

Faithful Hercules shpwing of her flares

A C130 then demonstrated a flare delivery, unfortunately two members of the crew were injured during the pull-up and recovery after the delivery of the flares, an investigation is ongoing.

Oryx flare drop

The morning proceedings were concluded by all the participating helicopters performing formation fly-past with one Oryx pulling up and deploying flares. A delicious lunch was then enjoyed by all guest, while everyone was eating the weather took a turn for the better paving the way for the jets to do their demonstration.

Enter the sharp noses

Grippens and Hawk

The demonstration commenced with a simulated “dog fight” two Gripens from 2 Squadron engaged a lone Hawk from 86 Advanced flying school, not a very fair fight, as expected the Hawk was quickly dispensed of.

2 Squadron at its best

Gripens and Hawks then flexed their muscles with a cannon fire demonstration followed by a bombing run which rattled the display area, even with an impact point 3kms away.

40mm cannon fire from the BAE Hawk

The result of the cannon fire

Hawk bombs impacting spot on traget

Grippen Bombs making a mess of the target area

Five Hawks in formation

Five Grippens the SAAF's first line of defence

All present were treated to a very rare display by the Seeker UAV, which did a slow flypast before landing. The seeker transmitted a continuous high quality video feed to the big screen throughout the demonstration, It is currently also being utilised in the ongoing war against Rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park.