15 Squadron SAAF
Encyclopedia
15 Squadron SAAF is a squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...

 of the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...

. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

 squadron.

The squadron was formed on 18 September 1939 as a Coastal Command squadron based at Cape Town. The Squadron flew Baltimore 5 Light Bombers in May 1945 as part of 253 Wing of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.
  • Historic aircraft flown: Junkers Ju-86
    Junkers Ju 86
    The Junkers Ju 86 was a German monoplane bomber and civilian airliner designed in the early 1930s, and employed by both sides during World War II. The civilian model Ju 86B could carry 10 passengers. Two were delivered to Swissair and five to Luft Hansa...

    , Martin Maryland, Bristol Blenheim
    Bristol Blenheim
    The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...

    , Martin Baltimore
    Martin Baltimore
    The Martin 187 Baltimore was a two-engined light attack bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in the United States, originally ordered by the French in May 1940 as a follow-up to the earlier Martin Maryland, then in service in France. With the fall of France, the production series was...

    , Aérospatiale Super Frelon
    Aérospatiale Super Frelon
    The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet....

    , Aérospatiale Puma
    Aérospatiale Puma
    The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...

  • Current base: AFB Durban
    AFB Durban
    AFB Durban is an airbase of the South African Air Force, located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The runway is shared with Durban International Airport . The airbase is at the northern end of the runway. The commanding officer is Colonel S.J...

     in Durban
    Durban
    Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...

    , with C Flight detached to AFS Port Elizabeth in Port Elizabeth.

Notable members

Notable members include Harry Schwarz
Harry Schwarz
Harry Heinz Schwarz was a South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid, who eventually served as the South African ambassador to the United States during the country’s transition to representative democracy.Schwarz rose from the childhood poverty he...

, who served in the Second World War and in 1984 was made Honorary Colonel of the 15th Squadron.
The Silver Leopard Decoration
Nkwe ya Selefera
The Nkwe ya Selefera is South Africa's second of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....

was awarded to Flight Sergeant V. Selvan for conspicuous bravery during military operations. (15 Sqn, SAAF - 2004).
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