| South African Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag | |
 Emblem of the South African Air Force | |
| Founded | 1 February 1920 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare Aerial defence Air supremacy |
| Size | 12,815 active personnel 1000 reserve personnel 230 aircraft |
| Part of | South African National Defence Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Pretoria |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Per aspera ad astra "Through hardships to the stars"[1] |
| Engagements | |
| Website | af.mil.za |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Chief of the Air Force | Lieutenant general Wiseman S Mbambo[2] |
| Sergeant Major of the Air Force | Colin Stanton-Jones |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |   |
| Fin flash |  |
| Ensign |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | BAE Hawk |
| Electronic warfare | Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT |
| Fighter | JAS 39 Gripen |
| Attack helicopter | Rooivalk |
| Multirole helicopter | Atlas Oryx, Lynx 300 |
| Trainer helicopter | Agusta A109 |
| Utility helicopter | Agusta A109 |
| Patrol | C-47TP |
| Trainer | Pilatus PC-7, BAE Hawk |
| Transport | C-130, CASA C.212, Cessna Caravan |
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force saw service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966, the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in the low-intensity Border War in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased, until in the late 1980s when the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states.
- ^ "South African Air Force". Corporate Identity. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "Curriculum Vitae of Lieutenant General Wiseman S Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force". 4 June 2021.