New pilots, flight engineers and flight attendants were all among the latest group of Air Force members to receive their wings.
The annual Air Force Wings Parade was held on Thursday (19 May), the first held since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members receiving their wings completed various types of training, and the hard work of the navigators, flight engineers, load masters, air photographers and a flight attendant were celebrated.
According to Chief of the Air Force Lt Gen Wiseman S. Mbambo the members are an example of the excellence of the Air Force, especially since they made it through training at what he calls the most difficult time.
Mbambo said despite budget constraints central flying school managed to further the Air Force’s mandate.
“The reality is that we need to maintain a combat ready force and also invest in training. The situation confronting us requires us to think and act anew because we can not expect different results if we continue to do things in the same old way,” he urged.
Mbambo encouraged the members of the parade to keep developing their skills and have a passion for the innovation the Air Force requires.
Among the members receiving wings was second Lt Angelique de Beer who qualified in the pilot wings course.
“I have been dreaming of getting my wings for as long as I can remember,” she said. “It is a honour and proof that dreams do come true, even if you are 29 years old.”
The wings course included various phases the members needed to complete including night flying, aerobatics, formation among others.
Five members on the day also received their wings after completing a six-year-long Russian exchange programme.
Here Lt PC Moloto and his colleagues not only trained as pilots, but as pilot engineers and also received a special military training degree.
The students also received academic prizes on the day.
With an average of more than 81% Lt Tshepiso Molokomme was the top student of his course and received the Inkwazi Trophy.
He says as well as his academic achievement his training saw him grow as a person.
“Our course has stopped multiple times due to Covid-19. The course was paused and it was a two and a half year process,” Molokomme said.
“This built patience because once you know what you need to do you look past obstacles because you know what you are going to gain.” He adds he learned dedication, consistency and resilience through it thanks to the challenges of getting his wings.
