15 Squadron SAAF

15 Squadron
BK 117 in 15 Squadron service
Active	1939 to present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Air Force
Role	Light Transport
Garrison/HQ	AFB Durban
Motto(s)	"Aquila Petit Ardua" (The Eagle Seeks the Heights)
Equipment	BK 117, Atlas Oryx
Insignia
Squadron Identification Code	ZP (1943)
15 Squadron crest

15 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron.

The squadron was formed on 18 September 1939 as a SAAF Coastal Command squadron based at Cape Town. During the war it flew Junkers Ju-86, Bristol Blenheim and Martin Maryland aircraft. The squadron suffered a tragedy in May 1942, when eleven out of twelve personnel perished when three Blenheims became lost during a training flight and had to make an emergency landing in the desert.

The Squadron flew Baltimore 5 Light Bombers in May 1945 as part of 253 Wing of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force. Other aircraft flown during and after the war included Bristol Blenheims, and Martin Baltimores. Notable Second World War members include Harry Schwarz, who in 1984 was made Honorary Colonel of the Squadron.

Aircraft flown after the war included the Aérospatiale Super Frelon and the Aérospatiale Puma.

The current base is AFB Durban in Durban, it operates Atlas Oryx and BK 117 helicopters. Their primary role is maritime and landward search and rescue. Two flights of Oryx, A and B Flights, are based in Durban and C Flight, consisting of four BK 117s is detached to Port Elizabeth.

The current BK 117 aircraft of C Flight were originally inherited from the Apartheid-era "homelands", the Ciskei having acquired 3 in 1983, Venda 2 in 1985, Transkei 2 in 1986 and Bophuthatswana 2 in 1987, making a total of 10 with an extra delivered from Brazil. Two of the aircraft have already been mothballed at AFB Bloemspruit. Four remain in service with 15 Squadron. C Flight's conversion to AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters has been postponed due to delays in developing emergency flotation equipment for the type, thus precluding its use in a maritime environment.