15 Squadron SAAF

15 Squadron
BK 117 in 15 Squadron service
Active	1939 to present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Air Force
Role	Light Transport
Garrison/HQ	AFB Durban
Motto(s)	"Aquila Petit Ardua" (The Eagle Seeks the Heights)
Equipment	BK 117, Atlas Oryx
Insignia
Squadron Identification Code	ZP (1943)^[1]
15 Squadron crest

15 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron.

History

The squadron was formed on 18 September 1939 as a SAAF Coastal Command squadron based at Cape Town.^[2] During the war it flew Junkers Ju-86, Bristol Blenheim and Martin Maryland aircraft.^[3] The squadron suffered a tragedy in May 1942, when eleven out of twelve personnel perished when three Blenheims became lost during a training flight and had to make an emergency landing in the desert.^[4]

The Squadron flew Baltimore 5 Light Bombers in May 1945 as part of 253 Wing of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.^[5] Other aircraft flown during and after the war included Bristol Blenheims, and Martin Baltimores. Notable Second World War members include Harry Schwarz, who in 1984 was made Honorary Colonel of the Squadron.

Post Second World War

Aircraft flown after the war included the Aérospatiale Super Frelon and the Aérospatiale Puma.

The current base is AFB Durban in Durban, it operates Atlas Oryx and BK 117 helicopters. Their primary role is maritime and landward search and rescue. Two flights of Oryx, A and B Flights, are based in Durban and C Flight, consisting of four BK 117s is detached to Port Elizabeth.

The current BK 117 aircraft of C Flight were originally inherited from the Apartheid-era "homelands", the Ciskei having acquired 3 in 1983, Venda 2 in 1985, Transkei 2 in 1986 and Bophuthatswana 2 in 1987, making a total of 10 with an extra delivered from Brazil. Two of the aircraft have already been mothballed at AFB Bloemspruit. Four remain in service with 15 Squadron. C Flight's conversion to AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters has been postponed due to delays in developing emergency flotation equipment for the type, thus precluding its use in a maritime environment.^[6]

The Nkwe ya Selefera (Silver Leopard Decoration) was awarded to Flight Sergeant V. Selvan for conspicuous bravery during military operations. (15 Sqn, SAAF – 2004).

Attrition

2 Nov 1999: Bk117 384 Rolled over after emergency landing
Mar 2003: BK117 383 Involved in an accident, later declared Cat 5 and cannibalised
20 Aug 2003: BK117 389 Written-off during Exercise Blue Angel

Roll of Honour

In respect of those recipients about whom it is available, the actions they were cited for follow below the table, since inclusion in the table itself is impractical.

Name	Rank	NS no.	Date of action	Unit	Service Arm
Selvan, Vasudevan ^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Sgt	001	000000002002-02-20-000020 Feb 2002	15 Sqn	SAAF

F Sgt Vasudevan Selvan NS

Note 1: † denotes a posthumous award.

Actions cited for

↑ Selvan, Vasudevan – Awarded for his action in saving the life of a SANDF Special Forces Officer during Operation FIBRE, while stationed in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Officer Commanding

List of Officers to have served as Commanding Officers at 15 Squadron, South African Air Force.

Name	Rank	From	To	Unit	Service Arm
Naik, Abel	Lt Col	???	???	15 Sqn	SAAF

References

↑ Flintham, Vic (2003). Combat Codes. Barnesly: Pen & Sword Aviation. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-84415-691-7.
↑ Ambrose-Brown, James (1970). A Gathering of Eagles: South African forces World War II: Vol II. Cape Town: Purnell. p. 26.
↑ Martin, H.J. (Lt-Gen); Orpen, N.D. (1979). South Africa at War: Military and Industrial Organisation and Operations in connection with the conduct of War: 1939–1945 (South African Forces World War II: Volume VII). Cape Town: Purnell. p. 276 plate 7. ISBN 0-86843-025-0.
↑ Coetzee, JJM. "THE TRAGEDY AT KUFRA". http://samilitaryhistory.org. Retrieved 26 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
↑ Shores, Christopher F. (1973). Pictorial History of the Mediterranean air War: Vol II: RAF 1943 – 1945. Ian Allan. p. 108. ISBN 0-7110-0433-1.
↑ "Retirement of SAAF BK117 may be further delayed". Saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 2012-06-18.

External links

Media related to 15 Squadron SAAF at Wikimedia Commons

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

List of training areas of the South African Air Force	Roodewaal Bombing Range Ditholo Training Area TAB Upington Vastrap Weapons Area

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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