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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 3d

As a reminder, the SAMIDRC mandate was terminated in March 2025 and the South African troops only commenced returning to SA in mid-June. The SANDF vehicles, weapons and equipment is still in Chato (Tanzania), awaiting return to SA, along with the final HQ/security contingent.
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 3d

SAMIDRC update:
On 2 Oct, Chief SANDF Gen Maphwanya received a call from the Force Commander that they've finally secured the signature of the SADC Secretariat, back loading will be finalised in the next few weeks.
As a reminder...
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 6d

AFB Ysterplaat hosted the Chief SANDF Medal Parade today. TurboDak 6825 of 35 Sqn was very pleased with itself to be the main background! 😀 6887 provided support. Good to have two PC-7 MK IIs perform a flypast and a Super Lynx was also in attendance.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 12d

Increase in Aircraft Activity Around AFB Waterkloof

There is an increase in aircraft activity and noise in the Gauteng area. This is in preparation for the upcoming G20 Summit in November this year. Please keep an eye on your pets.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 13d

AFB Ysterplaat today: Change of Command Parade for 35 Squadron OC Col Tamara Thomas-Herwels outgoing & Lt Col Pieter Scherer incoming, and Acceptance of Command Parade for 505 Squadron OC Lt Col David Magwayi incoming.
Congratulations on your new appointments!

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 18d

South African Air Force (SAAF) Boeing 737-7ED BBJ ZS-RSA (Inkwazi), carrying Pres Ramaphosa, on its way to New York for the UN General Assembly. Call sign LMG1.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 21d

On 20 Sep 2023, three submariners lost their lives during a vertical transfer exercise.
From this year onwards, 20 Sep will be recognised as Submarine Squadron Day symbolising a day of remembrance, unity and recognition of the courage and service of past and present submariners.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 21d

The SA Navy Submarine Squadron Memorial Site at the SAS Assegaai Submarine Museum in Simon's Town,Cape Town, will be unveiled this Sat, 20 Sep. It will serve as a permanent tribute to all submariners who have died in service.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 25d

Il-76 on charter to the SAAF flying south, possibly carrying cargo from Lubumbashi to South Africa. A Cobra Aviation Boeing 737 with a SAAF callsign departed SA for the DRC at midday today. Seems a SANDF repatriation is on the go.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 25d

Seems it was a SF-260 trainer aircraft.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 26d

Weekend inspiration: #SAAF Oryx medium-lift helicopter sortie in the Drakensberg mountains.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 27d

Two Zimbabwe Air Force pilots died in a training crash on 10 Sep. The jet went down shortly after take-off during a training sortie from the Josiah Magama Tongogara airbase in Gweru. Whilst the type of aircraft is unconfirmed, it could be a Hongdu K-8 Karakorum.
RIP aviators.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 7

South African Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, will attend the Seoul Defence Dialogue 2025 (SDD2025), from 8 to 10 September 2025 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. She will also participate in the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the United Nations (UN) Command.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 7

BRICS is and was never intended to be a military alliance, but an economic grouping. It seems to be morphing into something very political and Iran is very happy to keep South Africa in the spotlight.

en.mehrnews.com/news/236161/...

Iran navy attends briefing in S Africa for future BRICS drill

TEHRAN, Sep. 06 (MNA) – A briefing meeting for the BRICS combined maritime exercise was held in the port of Cape Town, South Africa, with the participation of representatives from six countries, inclu...

en.mehrnews.com

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 4

The joint maritime exercise between South Africa, China and Russia (aka EX MOSI) has been long planned to take place in SA in Nov. So has the G20 summit. SANDF has only just woken up to the rather embarrassing fact that the two should not happen at the same time. Oh, the optics!

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 29

I'm hoping the SANDF turns up at the correct venue (*Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (Swartkop)*) for the Parade scheduled for *today* (29 August 2025).

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 28

Not to be outdone, 22 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat in the Cape also got in the action!
Both the Oryx and the Super Lynx conducted training today. 😀

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 28

The latest #SAAF squadrons to play around Dragons Peak, Drakensberg mountains, are 15 and 17 Squadrons.
Seems like they are having fun with the Oryx and A109. 😎

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 27

In a video on social media of two apprehended men suspected of a weapons-related crime, one claims that the weapons were stolen from the SA Navy. The SA Navy has clarified that no weapons have been stolen from any of its units, but may relate to a theft case at the Inst for Maritime Technology.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 23

#SAAF mountain flying phase in the Drakensberg mountains this weekend, for the Command Course students.
1 x Oryx, 1 x A109 and 2 x BK117 from 87 HFS and 15 Squadron 'C' Flight.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 22

Still life left in the old Lady!

Despite not having flown for three years, reports that the C47-TP Turbo Dakota being retired from the South African Air Force (SAAF) service appear to be greatly exaggerated as they may be returned to service.

www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/ae...

www.defenceweb.co.za

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 22

Just yesterday four ground runs were performed on the Oryxes at Lubumbashi. Three are in perfect condition, one Oryx just has an engine issue. 🚁😎
They are not abandoned.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 17

Five SANDF Oryx helicopters are expected to remain in the DRC indefinitely, with funding shortages preventing repairs, including engine replacements. Defence analyst Dean Wingrin shares insights on the implications for the military’s operational capacity.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNgL...

SANDF helicopters at risk of being abandoned

YouTube video by Newzroom Afrika

www.youtube.com

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 20

The Dept of Defence has issued another statement on Gen Maphwanya's visit and statements in Iran. Not sure what is being said? It does not deny what he was reported to have said, only that Iran disclosed it? So it was OK to engage in political policy, just not to report on it?

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 20

Worth listening to the good Profs comments. The US has asked SA for its policy clarification on Iran following SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya's comments during his trip. Prof Abel Esterhuyse says Maphwanya's Iran visit is conveying a political message.

youtu.be/NqtrPPgXdZk?...

Maphwanya's Iran trip a political message - Esterhuyse

YouTube video by Newzroom Afrika

youtu.be

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Aug 17

Five SANDF Oryx helicopters are expected to remain in the DRC indefinitely, with funding shortages preventing repairs, including engine replacements. Defence analyst Dean Wingrin shares insights on the implications for the military’s operational capacity.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNgL...

SANDF helicopters at risk of being abandoned

YouTube video by Newzroom Afrika

www.youtube.com

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