Since the 1970s, the SA Air Force has used unit coats of arms (though a few squadrons apparently still retain their older non-heraldic emblems).

The following is a representative selection.

Air Force Bases and Stations

Each SAAF base has its own arms, most of them dating from the 1980s. The designs are individual, but they all have embattled bordures to indicate that they are bases. The arms of AFB Durban, for instance, are Argent, a hammerhead bird proper and in base bars gemelles Azure the upper edges engrailed and the lower invected, all within a bordure embattled Azure.. The bird was chosen not only because it's indigenous to the area, but because it's fiercely protective.

SAAF station arms do not have bordures. Those of the former AFS Rooikop, which was based in Walvis Bay when the bay and surrounding enclave were still South African territory, alluded to local landscape and birdlife: Bleu Céleste, on sand dunes in base a flamingo statant proper.

Air Servicing Units

These units' arms follow a standard pattern, apparently introduced in the 1990s: Azure, between two fish eagle wings conjoined in leure Argent …, a charge identifying the unit. 2 ASU at AFB Ysterplaat, for instance, has … the chemical symbol for iron Or ("yster" means "iron"). 6 ASU has a falcon perched on a falconer's gloved hand.

Commands
The command HQs' arms followed a uniform pattern: Bleu Céleste, two swords in saltire Argent hilted and pommeled Or surmounted by a fish eagle displayed Or; on a chief Argent … The eagle is the SAAF emblem, and the crossed swords indicate a headquarters. Each command was identified by means of charges on the chief, e.g. … a chain of five links Sable for the Air Logistics Command, or three cut and faceted diamonds proper for Western Air Command, which was based in South West Africa.

Security Squadrons

These base security units, established in the 1980s, have arms of a common pattern: Azure, a gryphon segreant holding in the dexter forepaw a sword Or; a chief embattled Argent. The gryphon symbolises rapid and fierce reaction to threats, and the chief represents protection. On the chief is a charge appropriate to the unit's location, e.g. 508 Squadron, in Durban, has … two Zulu assegais in saltire proper, while 515 Squadron's arms have three Makalani palm trees, alluding to its original base at Ondangwa in Owambo.

Squadrons
The operational flying squadrons have individual arms, some of them incorporating elements from their World War II emblems.

Those of 2 Squadron, known as "the flying cheetahs" after a wartime mascot, are Sable, the head, upper body and forepaws of a cheetah proper winged Or. 6 Squadron's arms were based on a badge which depicted a cobra on a cloud-shaped blue background. The background has been translated into a nebuly blue border: Argent, a cobra nowed erect proper within a bordure nebuly Azure.

The arms of 27 Squadron alluded to the Piaggio Albatross aircraft it flew on maritime patrols at the time the arms were devised: Per fess wavy Argent and Azure, in chief an albatross volant wings elevated proper and in base two bars wavy Argent.

Supporting Units
Most of the various supporting units have arms. Those of the Air Publications Depot, for example, symbolise the unit's task of distributing material to all points of the compass: Azure, on a cogwheel between four arrowheads in cross Or an armillary sphere of the field. Those of 306 Forward Airfield Squadron symbolise defence against incoming enemy aircraft, the chess knight being the emblem of the Army Battle School where it was located: Per chevron raguly Argent and Azure, in chief two pheons Gules and in base a chess knight Or.

Training Units

The various training and flying schools are armigerous, their arms alluding to their role. Those of the Flying Training School, for instance, allude to the aircraft with which it was equipped in the 1960s and '70s: Azure, an Impala aircraft in dorsal view proper the tailfin surmounting the upper of two bars wavy Argent in base.

Voluntary Air Squadrons
These part-time units, originally part of the Army's commando branch, have arms of a common design: Vert, a saltire Orange fimbriated Argent and surmounted by a plate. On the plate is a charge appropriate to the unit's home base, e.g. … an orange tree eradicated fructed proper for 106 VAS in Bloemfontein. The orange saltire on green comes from the commando branch flag, and is thought to be indirectly derived from the medieval flag of Burgundy.

References/Sources/Links

South African Heraldry Website © Arthur Radburn