Belgium South African Visit: Operation Noordvalk

Members of the BAF and 2 Sqdn SAAF in front of a Belgium F16A and a SA Cheetah. From the photo, the Cheetah is far smaller compared to the F16.

In September 2000, the Belgian Air Force (Force Aerienne Belge/Belgische Luchtmacht) fulfilled a long-held ambition by deploying fighter aircraft deep into southern Africa for the first time. Three F-16s from the BAF's 2nd Wing at Florennes, along with some 75 pilots and ground crew, left to take part in Africa Aerospace and Defence 2000 - the continent's largest biannual armament exhibition. This exhibition also fomed part of the SAAF's 80th anniversary. The three-week deployment would first partake in the 80th anniversary airshow of the SAAF, and would then train for a week with 2 Sqdn out of AFB Louis Trichardt, in the Northern Province. The BAF also wanted to test its capability to deploy F-16s for long-range missions 'out of (NATO) area', particularly in Africa, where Belgium wants to practise the expertise gained during its former colonial days. After the tragic deaths of ten Belgian peacekeepers in Rwanda in 1994, when the genocide started and the subsequent large-scale evacuation operation was mounted from Kenya, Belgian military leaders realised that future interventions in Africa could hardly be conceived without (their own) air support. But because of its ventral air intake, the Fighting Falcon, the only fighter in Belgian service, is susceptible to Foreign Object Damage (FOD), which is very common in the harsh conditions prevailing on many airports on the African continent.

Special badge to commemorate the Belgium visit.

One of the two BAF demo pilots, Commander Danny 'Ket' Meersman, won the Denel Trophy for the best international solo aerobatic performance for his display at Waterkloof AFB - SAAF 80.

Against Goliath

The US Air Force was officially invited to attend the AAD 2002 defence equipment exhibition. This invitation was accepted by the 48^th Fighter Wing’s, 494^th Fighter Squadron which is based at Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. This sqdn is best known for their operations with the venerable F-111F and the long range bombing mission to Libya. There was one condition set forward by the Americans – their deployment must include some form of operational training. This was agreed to by SAAF HQ and the Flying Cheetahs duly informed of the visitors.

It was a short of David against Goliath when members from 2 Sqdn met the visiting Americans in their F-15Es at AAD 02 – AFB Waterkloof in September 2000. The F15E did perform a few circuits as part of the airshow but not a fully fledged display routine as the US has strict rules for all displaying aircraft. After AAD both the Cheetahs from 2 Sqdn and the F15Es departed Waterkloof with 2 Sqdn flying lead. This included some low flying towards AFB Hoedspruit, before turning towards Roodewal and finally landing at AFB Louis Trichardt (Makhado). It was done to familiarise the American pilots with the terrain as some range bombing was also included on the itinerary.

All participating aircraft at Makhado the final safety meetings were attended. As South Africa could not partake in NATO or US dissimilar combat training for many years, our ACM engagement safety rules were obviously different. It was subsequently agreed to use the American standard of a 1000m canopy to canopy separation for a head on engagement. All counter measurers and jamming equipment would remain switched off during the four days. No gun camera film was exchanged by the two sides, due to the classified info recorded with the video imaging by both sides. Only missile the US employed against the Cheetahs were the AIM-9M Sidewinder, while the South Africans supposedly used the V3S missile.

Due to the large fuel capacity of the F15E and to give more South African pilots exposure to the dissimilar combat exercise – two Cheetahs went up against the mighty Strike Eagles at a time. After the third encounter the F15 Es only needed to refuel. The ACM took place in a square box of airspace towards the north of Makhado. Surprisingly to the visitors - David called in some of the first encounters against Goliath in their favour after achieving head on radar lock.

Over the four days the scoring was about level, but the Cheetah astonished the visitors as a highly capable machine in the Air to Air role. Advanced radar and the latest missile technology make it a formidable advisory to even the latest fighter aircraft. As the visitors are largely employed in the strike roll a number of bombing exercises were also included over Roodewal bombing range. This included joint strike missions by both forces after tactical low level navigation, radar avoidance exercises and precision bombing. In all both teams benefited from the exercises and the small Cheetah once again proved it can hold its own. The US was suitably impressed by 2 Sqdn – especially the hospitality extended towards the visitors.

• AirForces Monthly, SA Flyer, additional A. Dyason.