2 Squadron
	The world famous "Flying Cheetahs".
	Motto:	Sursum Prorsusque
	Meaning:	Upward and Onward

A fully multi-role sqdn with advanced air-air, air-ground and reconnaissance capabilities, while at the same time providing a professional training flight. Protecting, South African airspace is the Sqdn's no 1 priority. 

During the Second World War - 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force(SAAF) saw action against the Italians in East Africa in support of 1 South African Brigade. The Squadron received the nickname "The Flying Cheetahs" because they kept two pet cheetahs as mascots.

No. 2 Squadron of the SAAF, The "Flying Cheetahs", best known for their exploits during the Korean War, actually trace their ancestry back to January 1939, when No. 2 (Transvaal) Squadron was formed at Waterkloof and equipped with Hawker Hartbees. The squadron redesignated a fighter-bomber unit later that year spent much time in varied and intensive training flights. In the event, No. 2 Squadron was doomed to oblivion, because in December 1939 the unit was renumbered to become No. 12 Squadron. On October 1,1940, however, No. 2 Squadron was re-formed in Kenya, its basic cadre being a flight of No. 1 Squadron, and equipped with Fury Is, Hurricane Is and Gladiator Is. Its first "kills" were scored on October 29, when two pilots borrowed Hurricanes from 3 Squadron. The squadron flew many fighter patrols, but much of its time was spent on air defence sorties and, soon, in January 1941, its Hurricanes were taken away, leaving it with only Furies and Gloster Gauntlets.

Then, in April 1941, No. 2 Squadron moved to Egypt and was re-equipped with Curtiss Tomahawk lBs and, briefly, some Hurricanes. Shipping patrols were carried out for a time, but by July 1941 the squadron was in action against the Luftwaffe in the Western Desert. No. 2 Squadron's long and famous career as part of the Desert Air Force began positively - in one of its first clashes on July 29 it shot down four Ju-87 Stukas and claimed two Bf-109s as well, for the loss of two Tomahawks. The squadron flew Tomahawks until May 1942, by which time it had begun to receive Kittyhawk lAs and later Kittyhawk IIIs. None of these were a match for the Luftwaffe's aircraft when it came to speed, however, and the "Cheetahs" had to fight hard for their victories. Nevertheless there were bright moments. On September 3, 1941, its Tomahawks intercepted 27 Italian Fiat G-SO fighters and shot down six of them within 90 seconds of being scrambled; and exactly one month later a No. 2 Squadron pilot achieved the distinction of shooting down the first Luftwaffe Bf 109F fighter to fall to the Desert Air Force!