22 Squadron SAAF
| 22 Squadron | |
|---|---|
AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 Mk.64
|
|
| Active | 1 July 1942 to present |
| Country |
 South Africa
|
| Branch |
 South African Air Force
|
| Role | Maritime helicopter squadron |
| Garrison/HQ | AFB Ysterplaat |
| Motto(s) | Ut Mare Liberum Sit (That the Seas may be Free) |
| Colors | 1942–1945 East African coast, 1944–1945 Gibraltar, 1945 Egypt |
| Equipment | Atlas Oryx M2, Westland Super Lynx 300 |
| Insignia | |
| 22 Sqn Badge |  |
22 Squadron is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a maritime helicopter squadron operating Lynx and Oryx helicopters for the South African Navy.
The squadron was formed in Durban on 1 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 reconnaissance and convoy support duties.
It had a relatively unremarkable period of duty in World War II, being engaged mainly in coastal patrols as part of Coastal Command SAAF. In mid 1945 it was flying Lockheed Venturas from Gibraltar, under the control of AHQ Malta at Valletta, but it left for home in July. It was disbanded at Idku in Egypt 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.
At the end of the 1980s, the Westland Wasps were withdrawn from service, but the squadron received a number of Aérospatiale Pumas in 1991 when it was amalgamated with 31 Squadron.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 M2.
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Wikipedia