On Friday, 28 January 2011, the South African Air Force will be celebrating the Air Force Day in the form of a military parade to be held at Air Force Base Swartkop at 10h00. These celebrations are used to highlight achievements of the past year and challenges facing the air force for the current year. Air force bases, units and squadrons who have excelled in their various tasks and obligations will be awarded with trophies for their accomplishments.
Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano who will be the Presiding Officer, will address the parade on the mission related issues pertaining to the support of the Air Force in the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup where the South African Air Force ensured that the people of South Africa were and felt safe. Further briefing will cover the progress with regard to the development and integration of air-to-air missiles for both Hawk and Gripen, simulator flying training for both the Cessna Caravan and King Air aircraft amongst others.
The parade will be preceded by a media briefing whereupon General Gagiano as well as the members of the Air Force Board will address various matters in the air force. An aerial display of all fleets (helicopters, transport and fighter aircraft) and other practical demonstrations will be conducted during the parade.
You are cordially invited to send a journalist/cameraperson to cover the event. Journalists who are assigned to cover the event are requested to confirm their attendance as depicted below and should report at Air Force Base Swartkop at 07h30 for the media briefing.
Details of the event are as follows:
Venue: Air Force Base Swartkop
Time for Media briefing: 07h30
Time for parade:10h00
Enquiries:
Tel: 012 355 6388
Cell: 072 288 3402
RSVP:
Captain Ntsikie Mantshongo
Tel: 012 355 6388
Cell: 084 464 1918
