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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Pre-order Strap In and Fly: Exploring South African Air Force Aircrew Flight Gear since WWII now! Order before launch day and save R100 per copy. Pre-launch pricing closes on 7 November 2026, after which all formats revert to full price. www.bobshop.co.za/pre-order-st...

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Potentially good news for SAAF Oryx/Rooivalk availability: Airbus Helicopters and Denel Aerospace have signed a MoU to form a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation in support of the SAAF’s helicopter fleet. I suspect funding will remain an issue.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

@aadexpo Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition runs from Wed to Fri at AFB Waterkloof (Pretoria) this week, followed by a two-day airshow. Smaller than previous years, there is still significant international participation on the exhibit side.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

For those that missed the low Airlink flight over the rugby yesterday.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

@Fly_Airlink does it again! ERJ-190 ZS-YAE in green and ERJ-195 ZS-YDE in Black go to minimum over Cape Town Stadium ahead of the second rugby test between the Springboks and the All Blacks. 📸 Credit to Sebastian Horrell. 📹 Credit to unknown.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

SAAF Gripen overflying Naval Base Simon’s Town today. 2 Squadron has deployed to AFB Overberg in the Cape and is participating in the SA Navy's Exercise Red Lion. 📷 Byron Lombard

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

@Fly_Airlink ERJ-190 ZS-YAE in green (LNK 001) and ERJ-195 ZS-YDE in Black (LNK 002) overflow Ellis Park ahead of the first rugby test between the Springboks and the All Blacks. 📸 Credit to the respective photographers.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

15 Squadron SAAF and the Police Air Wing treating visitors to the Durban beachfront this morning. Denel Oryx, Agusta A109LUH and Airbus H125. 🚁🌊🌞

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The SAAF will conduct its annual force prep exercise Eagle Dawn II in October. This is noteworthy as the SAAF has been grappling with chronic underfunding, leaving it with too few serviceable aircraft to train adequately and maintain combat readiness. defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/ae...

defenceweb.co.za

The exercise injecting life into the SAAF - DefenceWeb

The South African Air Force (SAAF) will conduct its annual force preparation exercise, Exercise Eagle Dawn II, in the Northern Cape during October. The

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Ah yes, let's exempt one of the most corrupt SOEs in South Africa from the very legislation that aims to prevent fraud and corruption. Electricity Minister will ask for Eskom to be exempt from Public Finance Management Act rules newsday.co.za/business/254...

newsday.co.za

Electricity Minister will ask for Eskom to be exempt from Public Finance Management Act rules

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said he will ask the National Treasury to exempt Eskom from the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) rules.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

One of the SAAF Museum’s Bosboks had a landing incident at AFMDW (Swartkop) this morning, possibly as a result of a ground loop. Reported as no injuries, just bruised pride.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

SAAF C-130BZ Hercules of 28 Squadron departing AFB Langebaanweg on a beautiful Cape winters day today.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Rooivalk of 16 Squadron, SAAF, seen over Thaba Tshwane this morning, having flown from Bloemfontein to appear as a static display at the Golf Day hosted by Directorate Army Acquisition, Defence Materiél Division.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The Avro Shackleton MR Mk3 was powered by four Rolls-Royce Griffon 57A V-12 piston engines, each producing 2,455 horsepower. The SAAF Museum at AFB Ysterplaat has a cutaway model that was recently restored, showing every piston, valve and cog working in perfect harmony. Powered by an electric drill!

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Strap In and Fly: Exploring South African Air Force Aircrew Flight Gear since WWII by Dean Wingrin. The evolution of SAAF aircrew flight gear from post-WWII leather helmets to modern integrated systems. With a limited print run, join the waiting list, email jandre@g5j.co.za

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

SA Navy submarine SAS MANTHATISI (S101) departing Naval Base Simon's Town this morning, for the first since 2023. So good to see her at sea again, where she belongs. BZ to the Navy, the Dockyard and others who worked so hard to make this happen.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I was quoted by the @TheCitizen_News, stating that the recent tragedy whereby two SANDF soldiers died after falling into a mine shaft whilst pursuing illegal miners reflects hazardous conditions, not poor SANDF training standards. www.citizen.co.za/news/sandf-t...

citizen.co.za

Deaths of two soldiers in mine shaft spark debate over SANDF training standards | The Citizen

Two SANDF members fell into a shaft while two others were swept away at Lebombo Border Post, sparking debate over readiness.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Seven years after approval was first granted for the retired legendary racing yacht Voortrekker to be added to the South African Naval Museum collection, it has finally been relocated to its new home in Simon's Town. SA Navy-owned Voortrekker was relocated on Fri 17 July 2026. BZ

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

BREAKING: Two #SANDF members were killed early this morning when they fell into an abandoned vertical mine shaft during Op Prosper at the unused CRD Mine in West Johannesburg whilst pursuing suspected illegal miners into a tunnel.😢

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Cdr Dieter Gerhardt (ret) died on 8 July 2026, at the age of 91. Serving in the SA Navy, he spied obo the Soviet Union’s intelligence agency (GRU) from 1962 to 1983. Arrested in New York in Jan 1983 by the FBI. In SA, he was sentenced to life, but was released in Aug 1992.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The SANDF has notified some of its members that a third- party data breach occurred, affecting about 10,000 members. The data breach affects members' surnames, ID numbers, and contact numbers via a service provider's system. It notes that Sanlam's system was not breached.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

2 July '26 saw the final withdrawal of MONUSCO mission SANDF personnel from the DRC. Upon return to South Africa, they were immediately confined to a mandatory 21-day Ebola quarantine at De Brug in what several complaints described as substandard conditions. /1

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Tonights sunset at AFB Makhado. 📷 Jaco Blom

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Beautiful sky at Air Force Base Langebaanweg, Western Cape, this morning. 🤩

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

After 28 years, South Africa's contribution to peacekeeping (and enforcement) in the eastern DRC has come to an end. Today marks the final withdrawal of SANDF troops deployed to the UN MONUSCO mission under Op Mistral. Some equipment is temp stored in Tanzania and Uganda prior to return to SA.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

President of Botswana, Duma Boko, arriving in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 9th Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I really dislike the sudden deluge of AI-generated posters. They just have no soul, no individuality. Everything starts to look the same after a while. Events deserve artwork that reflects the people, passion, and effort behind them, not just another prompt template.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

"Strap In and Fly: Exploring South African Air Force Aircrew Flight Gear since WWII" by Dean Wingrin takes a deep dive into the world of the SAAF's aircrew equipment. Due to launch in late September/early October 2026, register your interest now! forms.gle/y8D1hMZYg3fP...

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

The SA President has notified Parliament that he has extended the deployment of 25 SANDF members under Op THIBA (terminated SAMIDRC mission), to ensure withdrawal of the remaining personnel & equipment/armament from Tanzania to South Africa, to 30 June 2026. The cost is expected to be R37,744,815.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

The SA President has notified Parliament that he has extended the SANDF deployment to counter the threat of piracy and other related illegal maritime activities under Operation COPPER (Moz Channel) from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The cost is expected to be R33,992,978.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Excellent article by @kobusda. Pretending that the SANDF can continue to carry its constitutional mandate on a shrinking budget,while capability further erodes, is not sensible. South Africa cannot defend a constitutional mandate with an unfunded military. dailyfriend.co.za/2026/06/15/s...

dailyfriend.co.za

South Africa cannot defend a constitutional mandate with an unfunded military - Daily Friend

South Africa has reached a point where the public conversation about defence must become honest and more transparent.

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Reposted by Dean Wingrin

Darren Olivier @darren.africandefence.net · 12/06/2026

Until those responsible see real personal and professional consequences for things like this, within reasonable timeframes, nothing will change. It doesn’t inspire confidence when the committee responsible for oversight seemingly doesn’t realise that the DOD and DMV are different departments.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Over a decade and R1bn later, the SANDF and Dep of Public Works are no closer to completing the rehabilitation of 1 Military Hospital in Tshwane! After wasting so much scarce funds, they now want to start over with a new hospital!!! Such is the quality of our defence leadership.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

The South African Navy will host the World Hydrography Dey 2026 celebrations in Durban from 17 to 21 June 2026. SA Navy vessels will be open for visits at N-Shed, Port of Durban on Saturday 20th June (10h00 to 16h00) and Sunday 21 June (10h00 to 14h00).

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Dep Minister of Defence, Bantu Holomisa, has called for the creation of an Independent Defence Task Team to review governance within the Dept & to address recurring audit findings, accountability challenges, governance failures, non-compliance & procurement irregularities. /1

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

No amount of condonation after the fact can take away from the fact that the Auditor-General has found that Project Thusano was more expensive than contracting local suppliers. I highly doubt Project Kgala will be any different. It is enriching Cuba at the expense of South African jobs.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Attended the annual Memorial Service at AFB Ysterplaat this am. Prior to wreath laying, the Airforce flag is lowered, Last Post is played as the National Flag is lowered to half most.Following 2 minute silence, National Flag is hoisted to Reveille. Airforce flag is then hoisted.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Let's talk Oryx medium-lift helicopter availability. The SAAF is suffering a critical shortage of operational airframes, with just a handful (or less?) of the 37 available flying. Many have been sitting for years, waiting for maintenance funding. Others have been damaged/wfu. /1

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

SAS Queen Modjadji I (S103), a Type 209 (Class 1400MOD (SA)) (SSK) submarine, arrived in Simon's Town for the first time on this day, 22 May 2008.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

I was on @Radio702 to discuss funding challenges in the SANDF. It is in crisis: years of underfunding, ageing equip, overstretched personnel & mismatch between mandate & resources erode mil capability, leaving it struggling to meet its constitutional mandate. www.primediaplus.com/the-dialogue...

primediaplus.com

The Dialogue - MPs call for more funding for SANDF

Primedia+ is your brand-new online content hub, home to the iconic radio stations you love 947, 702, Kfm, CapeTalk, and EWN all in one convenient location. It's more than just radio and news, it's an ...

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Defence Min Angie Motshekga spoke at the tabling of the Defence Budget this morning. I was left totally underwhelmed. Just where do I start? I do not believe she was forceful enough in stating the absolute dire circumstances the SANDF finds itself in. /1

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

The new Chief of the Airforce was relaxed as we chatted over breakfast at a local eatery, but the conversation was serious.The SAAF has been defunded & he has a difficult task ahead. But Moatshe remains positive, empowering his people to deliver on the SAAFs mandate. defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

defenceweb.co.za

How the SAAF's new Chief plans to do more with less - DefenceWeb

Having conquered four Comrades Marathons, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe is no stranger to discipline and overcoming formidable challenges.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

The SA Navy hosted two Change of Command Parades at NB Simon’s Town today, namely the SAS AMATOLA (frigate F145) and SAS KING SHAKA ZULU (MMIPV P1572). Congratulations Captain Zanele Madiba (F145) and Commander Leon Van Zyl (P1572)! Wishing you fair winds and following seas.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

My contacts have confirmed that this article is grossly exaggerated. AFB Langebaanweg has not had it's electricity cut off. Power to Donkergat (home to 4 SFR) was cut on Wed pm (outstanding account of R2,000+), was back on by Fri pm. SAS Saldanha & the Mil Academy were also cut.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Two top SA Army Foundation's officials were barred and fined R44.7m for irregularities and paying themselves. The FSCA withdrew the Foundation's licence. That means it can no longer manage members funds. This statement totally ignores that and who will now manage those funds.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Defence was on the agenda of yesterday's Cabinet meeting. Cabinet approved the Long-Term Force Evolution Strategy and Planning Concept for the SANDF (the “Journey to Greatness” plan). But without a meaningful budget increase, it's just more words without any substance.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

With routing via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait still risky, traffic around the Cape has grown, but most bypass South Africa economically. Two large vessels meant to drydock in the ME are now in Cape Town’s drydock. Hopefully, Cape Town will increasingly become an alternate site.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

SAS AMATOLA departed Naval Base Durban for Simon's Town this morning, arriving this Saturday morning, capping an epic three month deployment that saw her visit India, China, Malaysia, Kenya and Tanzania. Bet crew and families are equally excited!

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Blast at munition factory near Cape Town! Building reported alight around 9:30am. All staff safely evacuated, no injuries reported. Blaze was brought under control by around 10:30am. Eight people were killed in a previous blast at the Rheinmetall Denel Munition factory in Somerset West in 2018.

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