44 Squadron

44 SQUADRON HISTORY

The Squadron was originally formed as 43 Squadron in 1943 with pilots converting to twin-engine Oxford aircraft at Pietersburg and Nigel. The squadron sailed from Durban on 8 February 1944. The pilots arrived at their new base headquarters at Cairo West on 12 March 1944 under the command of a Major O.G. Davies DFC and on this day the squadron number was changed from 43 to 44. On the 12th of December 1945 under the command of Lt-Col A.D. McKellar, the squadron disbanded at Ban and was repatriated to the Union. In the 19 months in which 44 Squadron operated in the operational theatre, they flew a total of 39 423 hours 15 minutes which averages out at 2 000 hours per month.

On 13 November 1953 44 Squadron was once again resurrected, this time as a Citizen Force transport Squadron and equipped with Dakota aircraft. Later that year the squadron was renamed 44 Squadron (Citizen Force) and in November 1956 relocated to Waterkloof from its previous home at Swartkop. During 1963, Cmdt A.D. McKellar took over as Officer Commanding 44 Squadron, which now became a combined Citizen and Permanent Force squadron. On the 16th November 1968, with Cmdt G.H. McKay AFC as the OC, the squadron received its colours from the State President Mr. J.J. Fouche. With the disbanding of the CF element in May 1984, an important chapter in the history of 44 Squadron closed.

From the outset of the conflict in South West Africa, 44 Squadron operated from AFB Grootfontein until 10th February 1983, when they were transferred to AFB Ondangwa. The "Rum Run" or re-supply was to become the most common sortie to be done by the Dakota, and later became a scheduled flight. Other duties included casualty evacuation, paratrooping, lunar ops, bantam ops and skyshout. 44 Squadron also played a vital role with regards to the moral of the troops in the operational area. The DC-4's were responsible for transporting the various visiting entertainment groups around the border area, the typical route being Mpacha, Rundu, Operet and Ondangwa before returning to Swartkop. The squadron, which was the last to leave Ondangwa was pulled back to Grootfontein in late November 1989. The final tour was completed on the 15th December 1989.

On the 1st January 1998 the squadron entered a new are when the Spanish built aircraft from 86 Multi Engine Flying School replaced the C47-TP aircraft The two units were once again re-united after nearly twenty years. Towards the end of 1997 when the rationalisation program was implemented, 42 Squadron laid down its colours and the Cessna 185 aircraft were transferred to 44 Squadron.

After many years of excellent service, the Cessna 185 feet was withdrawn from service. This was mainly due to the fact that during an unfortunate incident of fire the vast majority of the fleet airframe documentation was destroyed.

During January 2012, after CLOG approval the Cessna 185 entered into a disposal process with the last of the aircraft being handed over to 10 ASU during May 2012. It was during this period that the intention to replace the CASA as well as Transport C47TP aircraft was made known. During the same time it was announced that the Casa 235 was to be withdrawn from service.

Currently four remaining C185 aircraft, a DC 3 Dakota, a DC Skymaster as well as the C235 can be viewed at the SAAF Museum.

Aircraft flown by 44 Squadron were Oxfords, DC-3 Dakota, DC-Skymaster, Viscount, C47-TP Turbo Dak, CASA 235, CASA 212 and Cessna 185.

COMMANDING OFFICERS 44 SQUADRON

Cmdt F. Ramsey SM, JDC (CF) 01/05/53 – 30/06/62
Maj B. de Wet 01/07/62 – 05/05/63
Cmdt A.D. McKellar 06/05/63 – 14/03/64
Maj J.E. Lello 01/11/64 – 31/01/67 CF/PF
Cmdt G.H. McKay AFC 13/12/65 – 14/01/74
Cmdt L.M. Jooste 15/01/74 – 31/12/76
Cmdt K.P. Minnaar 01/01/77 – 31/12/80
Cmdt J.S. Botha 01/01/81 – 31/12/81
Cmdt J. du Preez 01/01/82 – 30/04/85
Cmdt P.J. Steenkamp 01/05/85 – 31/05/86
Cmdt T.A. Hill 01/08/86 – 31/12/91
Cmdt G.S. Steenkamp 01/01/92 – 31/01/97
Lt Col S.J. Bekker 01/02/97 – 01/02/97
Lt Col H.W. Olmesdahl 01/01/97 – 31/12/01
Lt Col M.A. Port 01/01/02 – 31/12/05
Lt Col R. King 01/01/06 – 31/12/2009
Lt Col R. Potgieter 01/03/2010 – present

Honorary Colonel : Col R. Haywood

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PILOTS AND NAV'S

http://www.af.mil.za/Pilots%20Nav.pdf

OTHER MUSTERINGS

http://www.af.mil.za/news/2011/Military%20skills%20Development[1].pdf