The 2010 South African Air Force Day Parade sees the SAAF celebrating their 90th anniversary since formation on the 1st February 1920. The SAAF is one of the world’s oldest Air Forces.  This year’s parade and capability demonstration was held in better weather conditions than last year, although at 08h30 it was not looking too promising. Fortunately by the start of the parade at 1000 the weather had cleared sufficiently to allow most of the planned events to be completed. However, the weather did influence the participation of the BAe Hawk from AFB Makhado and the opening parachute jump by the SAAF’s Golden Eagles.

A109 with SAAF 90 flag

The parade generally followed the pattern of previous year’s events with a taking of the General Salute which included a flypast of helicopters, two of which were carrying the Air Force flag and the last a flag highlighting that this is the 90th anniversary of the SAAF.  This was followed by the reading of the SAAF’s code of conduct and prayer led by the Chaplain of the Air Force.  The time old tradition of an inspection of the parade by the General was next which culminated with a march-past the podium and the trooping of the colours by the parade.