Mountain Flying Training

Boys
from
19
F
ormed on 1 September 1939 with
17 Squadron, 19 Squadron formed part of the
Airways Wing at Swartkop, flying ex-SAA Junkers Ju-52/3m’s, but was disbanded on 1 December that year.
Almost missing out on the Second World War,
227 Squadron RAF was renumbered 19 Squadron SAAF on 12 August 1944 at Biferno, Italy.
Flying Beaufighters, the squadron was involved
in bombing and strafing attacks in Greece and
Yugoslavia until the end of the war saw the
squadron disband on 10 July 1945.
On 1 March 1970 a Flight of 17 Squadron was
formed into 19 Squadron and equipped with
Pumas at Swartkop. While A Flight was based
at Swartkop, B Flight operated for a time from
Durban. It was especially during this time that
the Squadron lived up to its motto of Fama ex
Factis . Various members received Honoris Crux
for bravery.
“ Fama Ex Factis ”
( Fame Through Deeds )
In 1988, E Flight at Swartkop become the first
unit to be equipped with the new Oryx. A Flight
was formed at AFB Louis Trichardt on 1 January
1991, with the squadron moving to Louis Trichardt on 1 January 1992, by which time they
operated the Alouette III. 19 Squadron was the
first squadron to be fully equipped with the Oryx
in early 1994. The squadron moved once again
A fascinating glimps into the lives of the ‘Boys from 19”
as captured by Matthew de Jager
on 1 January 2004 to AFB Hoedspruit.
Boys
from
19
R O L E : R O TA R Y
AIRCRAFT: ORYX
S TA T U S : C U R R E N T
BASED AT: AIR FORCE BASE HOEDSPRUIT
Dragons
in our midst
“And the mighty dragons bowed down before their commanders, knowing that they have been sleighed by a power much
greater than their own, a power flowing from
vigour and courage.”
T W I N - T U R B O S H A F T M U LT I R O L E H E L I C O P T E R
The Atlas Orynx, named af ter the Orynx antelope is a medium sized utility aircraf t, yet there is nothing ‘medium’ about
this beauty when it comes down to performance. It is an upgraded and remanufactured version of the Aerospatiale
Puma, and was specifically developed for good hot/high performance (above 1,525m; 5000 f t. and 30 to 45 C).
The Orynx’s main uses in the SA AF includes: medium to heav y transport and communications flights, task force rapid
deployment operations, fire fighting, and search and rescue missions. It can carry up to 20 fully equipped troops, or 6
wounded on stretchers with 4 at tendants. Or 3000kg freight carried in the cabin, or 4500kg freight on an ex ternal sling.
Most Orynx are equipped with a 50m hydraulic hoist, rated for up to 2 personnel, for the use in rescue operations. Additionally a large A-frame structure can be fit ted in the cargo bay which allows up to 4 personnel to rappel or abseil from
the aircraf t simultaneously.
TA M I N G
MIGHTYBEASTS
W h a t d o e s i t t a k e t o c o n t r o l a b e a s t l i k e t h e O r y n x ? To b e t h e s l a y e r o f s u c h a m i g h t y
'dragon'; making it yield at your ever y command?
No or dinar y human being that's for sur e. These boys ar e highly trained individuals.
Still, their unending dedication, maintenance and har d work with the Or ynx forms just
some of the answers to the above question. When it comes down to a day of action;
focus, training, endurance and unmatched skills ar e what sets them apar t.
Saints
OF OUR NATION
T h e y h a v e r e s c u e d a n d s a v e d c o u nt l e s s l i v e s w h i l e o n d ut y . T o
s u m u p t h e i r c o u r ag e o us d e e d s i n a s i m pl e pa r ag r a p h w i l l a l �
w ay s f a l l s h o rt o f t h e t r u e a p p r e c i at i o n t h e y d e s e r v e . C a l l i n g
t h e m s i m p ly h e r o e s a l m o st f e e l s u n j u st , a s t h e y d e s e r v e a n a m e
of much higher p r a ise.
Rescue Miss ions inclu ded:
H e l d e r b e r g J u m b o d i s a st e r n e a r M a u r i t i u s
Oceanos s ink ing near Transkei
C y c l o n e D e m o i n a at N ata l
M o z a m b iq u e f lo o d s
DUTY
ABOVE
ONESELF
Mozambique Floods 2003
Tales of heart and life that are sure to inspire
Die dude se naam
T
here is little known about the 19 Squadron amongst
your average South African citizen, yet the men and
women from 19 Squadron can single handily be called some
of the biggest heros in our Country. Pilot .............’s career
portrays the true essence of what the 19 Squadron is all
about. And simply put, it is a selfless one where your duty is
T
here is little known about the 19 Squadron amongst
your avarage South African citizen, yet the men and
women from 19 Squadron can single handily be called some
always put before your own needs.
of the biggest heros in our Country. Pilot .............’s career
In ......2003 .......... was dispatched as part of a team to Mo-
portrays the true essance of what the 19 Squadron is all
zambique on a critical rescue mission to save victims from
about. And simply put, it is a selfless one.
the devastating floods. ......... and his team successfully man-
In ......2003 .......... was disbatced as part of a team to Mosa-
aged to rescue countless lives. Yet this adrenalin fuelled mis-
mbique on a critical rescue mission to save victims from dev-
sion was far from over, and took an unexpected turn. Highly
astating floods. ......... and his team successfully managed to
trained and ready to operate under incredibly stressful situ-
rescue a number of victims. Yet this adrenalin pumping mis-
ations, this particular mission threw them a curve ball they
sion was far from over, and took an unexpected turn. Trained
weren’t expecting.
to opetrate under highly stressfull situations, this particular
One of the victims turned out to be heavily pregnant, and
mission through them a curve ball they weren’t exactly equi-
ended up going into labour in side the Orynx, whilst the res-
ped to deal with.
cue mission was still taking place! Needless to say the mis-
One of the victims was a highly pregnant woman and ended
sion was a success and a certain child had the most exciting
up going into labour in side the ..................... as the rescue
and thrilling welcoming into the world anyone has ever had
mission was still taking place!
The 19 Squadron
is filled with
seemingly ordinary
people, but
they are far from
it. They fall
nothing short from
extraordinary.
Daily they are
called out to
live chivalrous,
courageous and
selfless lives
WILD AND UNTAMED
DR AKENSBERG
[ M A R C H 2 0 12 TR A INING G R O U ND]
WILD H ORSES ROAM THE
FIELDS IN AND AROUND
THE DRAKENSGERG
W H E R E T H E ' m o u nta i n
F LY I N G T R A I N I N G ' T O O K
PLACE.
SEPARATING
FROM
BOY S MEN
Mountain
Flying
Training
In ....2012 the members of
Squadron 19 took part in a
‘mountaing flying’ training
course in the magnificent
yet threatning cliffs of the
Drakenberg. This was a
rigorous, intense and
exhausting training
mission, in which boys
either became men or were
separated from them.
Apar t from this training, Squadron 19’s members daily face danger and risk.
Ye t n o t h i n g w i l l s t o p t h e s e h e r o e s f r o m c o m p l e t i n g a m i s s i o n a n d d o i n g t h e i r
d u t y. T h e y h a v e s a v e d m o r e l i v e s d u r i n g f l o o d s t h a n a n y o t h e r r e s c u e o r g a n i sation in South Africa. An incredibly formidable accomplishment in the least.
[ M I S S I O N : P L A Y]
{
All HEROES FROM TIME TO TIME NEED TO RECHARGE AND SIMPLY
}
BE ‘HUMAN’. THE RIVER AND STREAMS AROUND THE DRAKENSBERG
PROVIDE THE PERFECT PLAYGROUND FIT FOR THE ADRENALIN
DRIVEN SQUADRON. AND OFF COURSE, LOCALS WON’T THINK
TWICE TO JOIN IN THE FUN!