Tag Archives: AFD2020
Armed Forces Day Polokwane 2020 Parade
After a quick 20 minute flight form Airforce Base Waterkloof in Pretoria in one of South African Airways Airbus A340-300 aircraft , I’m sure the local plane spotters don’t see a Airbus A340 land at Polokwane Gateway International Airport everyday, I think that was a treat for them to see us land both on the 18th February and 21 February.
After arriving we arrived near the podium for the parade and flypasts with formations of different aircraft from the South African Airforce, the flag flypasts was up first with an Agusta A109LUH, 22 Squadron Lynx and a Oryx helicopter.
The chopper formation was then next to open the mass flypasts columns, that formation consisted of four Agusta A109s, 3 Oryx Helicopters from various squadrons from around South Africa, a single Lynx Maritime helicopter and a Rooivalk keeping a safe look on the formations six o clock position!
Next was the transport formation made up of a 44 Squadron Casa 212, two aircraft form 41 Squadron that being a Cessna 208A Caravan and a KingAir 200.Jumbo formation was up next with a 28 Squadron C130BZ leading the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team from the Central Flying School from Airforce Base Langabaanweg along the Western Cape West coast led by Major Sivu Tangana.
The much awaited fighter formations were followed by the lead in Fighter trainer of the South African Airforce of 85 Combat Flying School with five Hawk MK120s. The flying cheetahs better known as 2 Squadron was then followed by five JAS39s Gripens.
After the flypasts moved off Major Geoffrey “Spartan” Cooper provided a solo display with a JAS39C Gripen, tearing up the Polokwane skies with the epic roar of the sound of freedom as our Commander in chief witnessed one of the best Gripen displays one can see on the South African Airshow circuit.
The formation of four Hawk Mk120s then ended the flying proceedings of the day with a formation break overhead the podium.The parade continued with mechnised coloums, and all other forms of arms on parade!
All images without watermarks are courtesy of the SANDF. We would like to thanks General Fabian Msimang for waiting with us media and invited guests on Friday 21 February until our other SAA aircraft arrived after a snag on the A340 that we flew to Polokwane in broke down. Your company was highly appreciated Sir!
Armed Forces Day 2020 Media Launch Polokwane
The Peter Mokaba stadium played the role of the venue hosting the 2020 edition of Armed Forces Day media launch, with this year being the first time that the Limpopo Province will be hosting Armed Forces Day Celebrations.
As per last year Armed Forces Day was hosted in Cape Town in the Western Cape and the South African Navy was in charge of hosting the event in their home waters.
This year the South African Army will host the event in conjunction with Polokwane as the chosen city.The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.
The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to honour men and women in the hub of the profession of arms, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who lost their valuable lives in the line of duty both internally and externally as well as the current serving members.
Planned events dates:
Fan Park/Walk/FunRun/Sport Clinics 14-19 February 2020
Inter Faith Service – 16 February 2020
Gala evening – 16 February 2020
Capability Demonstration Roodewal Bombing Range-Public Day:17 February 2020 Media Day&Invited Guests:18 February 2020
Legacy Project (MOD) – 17 February 2020
C SANDF Function /Golf Day-20 February 2020
Parade/VVIP/VIP Fuctions/Wreath Laying/Troop Feast/Music Event-21 February 2020
During tthe media launch we got to see some of the South African National Defence Force assets including an Agusta A109 on static display, with a gecko Vehicle, A Ratel 90 armored and a 2 Squadron JAS39D Gripen Flypast overhead the Peter Mokaba Stadium as a match between two soccer teams the SANDF VS Baroka FC.