19 Squadron SAAF

19 Squadron
SAAF Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma, similar to that flown by the squadron
Active	Sep - Dec 1939 12 August 1944-10 July 1945 1 March 1970-Present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Air Force
Role	Transport / Utility Helicopter Squadron
Garrison/HQ	AFB Hoedspruit, Hoedspruit
Motto	Fama Ex Factis Fame through Deeds^[1]
Insignia
Squadron Insignia

19 Squadron SAAF is a current squadron of the South African Air Force operating as a transport/utility helicopter squadron. It was formed in 1939 as part of the Air Force airways Wing, flying transport aircraft but was disbanded after a few months. It was re-formed from No. 227 Squadron RAF in 1944 and disbanded again after the end of World war 2. It was again re-established in 1970 as a helicopter squadron - a role which it still performs today.

History

19 Squadron was formed on 1 September 1939 together with 17 Squadron. It formed part of the Airways Wing at Swartkop Air Station flying ex-South African Airways Junkers Ju-52/3m's but was disbanded on 1 December the same year. The squadron did not participate in the Second World war until 12 August 1944 when 227 Squadron RAF was renumbered as 19 Squadron SAAF at Biferno in Italy. The squadron was deployed flying Beaufighters and was involved in operations in Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia until it was disbanded on 10 July 1945 after the end of the war.^[1]

On 1 March 1970 a Flight of 17 Squadron was transformed into 19 Squadron and equipped with SA330 Pumas at AFB Swartkop with A Flight flying from Swartkop and B Flight operating from AFB Durban for a period of time. "A" Flight was moved to AFB Louis Trichardt on 1 January 1991, with the rest of the squadron moving on 1 January 1992 flying Aérospatiale Alouette III's. The squadron moved to AFB Hoedspruit on 1 January 2004 where it is currently based. 19 Squadron became the first squadron to be equipped with the Oryx helicopter in early 1994.^[2]

Aircraft

Aircraft flown by 19 Squadron
Note: Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the Squadron.

Junkers Ju52
1939

Bristol Beaufighter
1944

SA330 Puma
1970

Alouette III
1992

SA-330 Oryx
1994

References

Notes

1 2 "South African Air Force (Unofficial)". 19 Squadron.
↑ History of the SA 330 in South African service

South African Air Force

Leadership	Chiefs of the Air Force Sergeants Major of the Air Force

Active squadrons	2 15 16 17 19 21 22 28 35 41 44

Training and development units	68 Air School 80 Air Navigation School 85 Combat Flying School 87 Helicopter Flying School Central Flying School Test Flight and Development Centre South African Air Force College

Formation aerobatic teams	Silver Falcons

Territorial reserve squadrons	101 102 104 105 106 107 108 110 111

Disbanded air and training squadrons	1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 20 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 40 42 43 50 60 103 109 112 114 86 Multi-Engine Flying School 88 Maritime Training School 89 Combat Flying School

Disbanded air defence squadrons	120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129

WW2 Wings of the SAAF	2 3 5 7 21 24 25

Bases	AFB Bloemspruit AFB Durban AFB Hoedspruit AFB Langebaanweg AFB Makhado AFB Overberg AFB Swartkop AFB Waterkloof AFB Ysterplaat AFS Port Elizabeth

Equipment	List of current and historical SAAF aircraft List of weapon systems of the South African Air Force

History	History of the South African Air Force List of obsolete weapon systems of the South African Air Force South African Air Force Memorial South African Air Force Museum Military history of South Africa SAAF squadron identification codes

Official website: www.af.mil.za

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