19 Squadron SAAF
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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.
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.
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...
operating as 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. 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
No. 227 Squadron RAF
No. 227 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that formed as bomber unit in World War I and World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...
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 Squadron17 Squadron SAAF
17 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron.* First formed: 1 September 1939...
. It formed part of the Airways Wing at Swartkop Air Station
AFB Swartkop
AFB Swartkop is an air force base in South Africa. It is managed as part of AFB Waterkloof and houses one of the three branches of the South African Air Force Museum...
flying ex-South African Airways Junkers Ju-52/3m's
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
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
No. 227 Squadron RAF
No. 227 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that formed as bomber unit in World War I and World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...
was renumbered as 19 Squadron SAAF at Biferno in Italy. The squadron was deployed flying Beaufighters
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
and was involved in operations in Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia until it was disbanded on 10 July 1945 after the end of the war.
On 1 March 1970 a Flight of 17 Squadron
17 Squadron SAAF
17 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron.* First formed: 1 September 1939...
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
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...
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
Aérospatiale Alouette III
The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.The Alouette III is the...
's. The squadron moved to AFB Hoedspruit
AFB Hoedspruit
Air Force Base Hoedspruit is an airbase of the South African Air Force. It is located adjacent to the Kruger National Park. In the late 1990s an unused portion of the base was converted into a civilian airport known as Eastgate Airport...
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.