16 Squadron SAAF

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16 Squadron
Denel Rooivalk
Information
Role	Attack helicopter squadron
Aircraft Operated	Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
Home Base	AFB Bloemspruit
Motto	"Hlaselani" (Attack)
History
Date Founded	14 September 1939
Badge
Notable Battle Honours	Madagascar 1942, East Africa 1941 and 1943, Egypt 1943-45, SWA/Angola 1979-88

16 Squadron of the South African Air Force (SAAF) is an attack helicopter squadron.

[edit] History

16 Squadron was formed immediately after the outbreak of World War II, and was equipped with three ex-South African Airways Junkers Ju 86Z aircraft. It was deployed to Walvis Bay, where it was used as a maritime patrol squadron. However, it was shortlived, and by December of that year it had become B Flight of 32 Squadron.

The squadron was re-formed at Addis Ababa on 1 May 1941, once again flying the Ju 86Z, but disbanded that August following the Italian surrender.

The third chapter of the squadron's WWII history began when 20 Squadron, equipped with Martin Maryland and Bristol Beaufort aircraft and taking part in the invasion of Madagascar, was renumbered. Following the successful invasion of Madagascar, the squadron moved to Kenya, where it was equipped with the Bristol Blenheim V for use in the maritime patrol role, thus returning to its original purpose.

In April 1943 the squadron moved to Egypt, and was equipped with Bristol Beaufighters for use in anti-submarine duties. It continued to perform this role until it was again disbanded on 15 June 1945.

It would be 23 years before the squadron was once again re-formed, this time at AFB Ysterplaat on 1 February 1968, and equipped with the Aérospatiale Alouette III. A year later it moved to AFB Durban, though did not stay long, and finally moved to AFB Bloemspruit during 1972. The squadron's A Flight was transferred to AFS Port Elizabeth in 1973, with its B Flight moving first to AFB Ysterplaat, and then to AFS Port Elizbeth in 1980 to join A Flight.

In 1986, the squadron received an additional type, the Aérospatiale Puma. Throughout this period the squadron played a vital role in the South-West Africa/Angola Border War, and following the cessation of hostilities was disbanded in October 1990.

The latest part of 16 Squadron's history began on 28 October 1999 when it was reformed at AFB Bloemspruit and equipped with the new Denel AH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter, receiving all 12. Due to the complexities of integrating a new type and the creation and modification of tactics for the use of the SAAF's first attack helicopter, the squadron is only expected to reach complete operational readiness in 2008. It is however still a functioning squadron, and regularly carries out joint exercises with the South African Army and other elements of the Air Force.