Super Lynx Handover Ceremony – 14 February 2008

Twenty years after the single engine Wasp naval helicopter was taken out of service, the latest variant of the Super Lynx 300 series, regarded as the best small ship helicopter, were handed over to the South African Navy on 14 February 2008.

Wasp helicopter

Present at the Ceremony in Simonstown were the South African Minister of Defence H.E. Mr M.G Lekota, the Chief of the South African Air Force Lt Genl C Gagiano,  R.Adm Magalefa acting Chief of SA Navy and Mr H.S Thomo CEO Armscor. A total of four Super Lynx 300 Mk64 helicopters were handed over. The first step towards acquiring the Lynx was taken on 14 August 2003.Thirty one months later, on 24 April 2006, the first South African Lynx (191) made its maiden flight. On 13 July 2007 the 1st Lynx took to the South African skies when 193 had its ferry flight from Cape Town International Airport to Air Force Base Ysterplaat, the current home of 22 Sqdn.

 As was the case with the Wasp the SAAF operates the naval helicopters on behalf of the SA Navy. This will be the responsibility of 22 Sqdn - a Sqdn with a proud history in naval helicopter operations.