10 000 ft challenge:

The period after hostilities ended in the Border War area, saw the SAAF going through a number of rationalisation programmes. A number of Sqdns were closed and thus the F1 Sqdns also had to fight for their survival in the modern SAAF. One aspect that eased the air a bit was the much published air race to 10 000 ft. The Oryx is quite a powerful helicopter and the Oryx pilots challenged the "Vlammies" (All SAAF fighter aircraft pilots are called 'Vlamgat' - translated means 'flaming backside' and this refers to the afterburner section of aircraft.) for a race to be the first to reach 10 000 ft. On 3 November 1993, the race was run at AFB Waterkloof. Cmdt Dolf Prinsloo in F1 AZ No 230 and Cmdt Martin Kruger in the Oryx set out against each other. The F1 AZ won by 1000 ft, but this highlighted the phenomenal performance of the Oryx and showed by what degree helicopter technology progressed over the last few years.

Cmdt (Lt Col) Dolf Prinsloo, OC 1 Sqdn winner of the air race.

International arena:

Mirage F1 AZs with the Air France Boeing 747 that transported the French President to South Africa.

On 30 July 1994, F1 AZs intercepted and escorted an Air France 747 carrying President Mitterand into Cape Town for an official state visit to South Africa. The Sqdn intercepted the 747 as sign of respect for the Mirage F1's country of origin. Simultaneously it provided the arrival with the necessary status and respect it deserved. The F1 AZs were flown by Lt Col Dolf Prinsloo OC 1 Sqdn, Capt Chris Pretorius, Capt Wynand Serfontein and Capt Marcel von Gunten. At 07h30 the aircraft was scrambled from AFB Langebaanweg to intercept the Air France Boeing 747. The F1 AZs formed up on the wingtips of the 747 to give the aircraft and its passenger a SA welcome the Air Force way. On final approach into DF Malan Airport the F1s broke away and with the task complete, flew back to their home at AFB Hoedspruit.

During 1995, the SAAF celebrated its 75 anniversary - the SAAF is the world's second oldest Air Force. The highlight was the International Air Show at AFB Waterkloof. A larger number of foreign aircraft attended, with many bidding to be the SAAF's new fighter aircraft. Unthinkable a few years before, but the Russians attended in official capacity, displaying the magnificent SU 35 (the first time in the West) and the MiG 29. After the air show two MiG 29s joined 1 Sqdn in Hoedspruit for evaluation by the SAAF. The "Billy Boys" flew against the Russian aircraft, although this time in mock ACM. It was interesting to note that the helmet mounted sight in use on the Russian aircraft was an exact copy stolen from South Africa during the Russian spy scandal, involving a highly placed SA Navy official. For more realistic ground based intercept (GBI) control exercises, special international permission was obtained to exceed the sound barrier over land. The base held an information evening explaining to residents of the Hoedspruit surrounding area, why the unusually high jet noise factor was currently experienced in the area. Aspects like the sound barrier etc were explained to the visitors. However it was quite a surprise to the SAAF personnel when one of the lady visitors remarked, that she was unaware the sound barrier could actually be found at Hoedspruit….. ;-)

On 5 July 1996, the 21st anniversary of the F1AZ in SAAF service was celebrated at AFB Hoedspruit, in spectacular fashion.