In his address, the Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General C. Gagiano recognised the negative impact the recent global economic downturn has had on Air Force programmes. However, numerous highlights and achievements of the SAAF during the past year was recognised, which included the upgrade of the runway and VVIP facilities at AFB Waterkloof, the commencement of the PC-7 MkII Astra cockpit avionic upgrade at AFB Langebaanweg, the receipt of nine Gripen D dual seat aircraft and the immanent arrival of the first single-seat Gripen C.

 Other items of note, which are not often reported on, were the various military exercises, humanitarian and peace-keeping missions undertaken by the SAAF over the past year. These exercises included support for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa.

Awards

 In a change from last year the parade did not include the handing out of the various Prestige Awards for 2009, as this had occurred the previous evening as part of a separate ceremony. The only trophy handed out was the Prestige Unit of the Year award which went to 2 Air Servicing Unit, headquartered at AFB Langebaanweg. 2 ASU were the winners in 2008 as well.

Flypast

As the troops withdrawn from the parade area – various SAAF rescue, support and mobile-radar vehicles drove past, followed by very impressive mass formation flypasts. In a fitting tribute to the past, the first formation consisted of the SAAF Museum Historic Flight Alouette II, Alouette III and Puma. This was followed by a mass formation of six Oryx and nine Agusta A-109 helicopters. Once again the fixed wing flypast was led by the SAAF Museum Historic Flight formation of a C-47 Dakota, Kudu, Bosbok and Harvard, followed closely by a formation of six Cessna Caravans, two King Airs and the PC-12.

Helicopter formation from the SAAF Museum

  Three Gripen aircraft then performed a break, with the centre Gripen positioning for a short display, showcasing the new IRIS-T air-to-air missile. The Gripen then proceeded to land. As the Gripen taxied in to park next to the gathered dignitaries, a solitary Oryx appeared and fired its full complement of flares. There was also a ground based pyrotechnic bomb burst which caught many a spectator unawares.