22 Squadron SAAF
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| 22 Squadron | ||
|---|---|---|
 Atlas Oryx M2 | ||
| Information | ||
| Role | Maritime helicopter operation | |
| Aircraft Operated | Atlas Oryx, Alouette III | |
| Home Base | AFB Ysterplaat | |
| Motto | "Ut Mare Liberum Sit" (That the Seas may be Free) | |
| History | ||
| Date Founded | 1 July 1942 | |
| Badge | Missing image 22sqnsaaf.png Image:22sqnsaaf.png | |
| Notable Battle Honours | 1942-1945 East African coast, 1944-1945 Gibraltar, 1945 Egypt | |
22 Squadron is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron.
History
The squadron was formed in Durban on the 1st of July 1942 by renaming 31 Flight to 22 (Torpedo-Bomber-Reconnaissance) Squadron. It was equipped with ex-SAA Junkers Ju-86s as well as a number of Avro Ansons, and was assigned to anti-submarine, coastal recce and convoy support duties.
It had a relatively unremarkable period of duty in World War II, being engaged mainly in coastal patrol, and it was disbanded at Idku on 24 October 1945.
Following the war, it was briefly recreated in 1954 and equipped with Lockheed Venturas, but disbanded again soon thereafter.
The latest chapter in the squadron's history began on 1 January 1964, when it was recreated at AFB Ysterplaat as 22 Flight and equipped with the newly-delivered Westland Wasp helicopter, becoming a full squadron in May 1976. In 1978 it received a complement of Aérospatiale Alouette IIIs, which it has operated ever since.
At the end of the 1980s, the Westland Wasps were withdrawn from service, but the squadron received a number of Aérospatiale Pumas in 1991 when it was amalgamated with 31 Squadron. The Pumas were later replaced with the Atlas Oryx M-1.
This squadron is the sole maritime helicopter squadron of the SAAF, and therefore provides all helicopters, air and grown crew for operation aboard South African Navy vessels. It is also tasked with supporting South Africa's Antarctic research station, and therefore operates two specially modified Oryx M2 helicopters, suitable for use in the extreme conditions.
The squadron gained international recognition in 2002 during the high profile rescue of the Magdalena Oldendorff which was trapped in the Antarctic ice. 22 Squadron's two Atlas Oryx M2s were embarked aboard the SAS Outeniqua for the successful operation.
The squadron's Alouette IIIs will soon be replaced by the Agusta A109LUH, and it will receive four Westland Super Lynx 300 helicopters for use aboard the South African Navy's new Valour class patrol corvettes.
Previous Aircraft Operated
- Junkers Ju-86
- Avro Anson
- Lockheed Ventura
- Westland Wasp
- Aérospatiale Puma