South Africa Patch Sqn SAAF South African Air Force b 22 Squadron Wasp Allouette

SAAF Patch South African Air Force 22 Squadron Patch Badge Wasp and Allouette III helicopters Maritime Ships Flights 1980s Embroidered on twill grey compressed stiffener back 85mm by 82mm three and three eighth inches by three and one quarter inches.

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History 1942 2013

Motto  Ut Mare Liberum Sit  That the Seas may be Free 

22 Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron was formed from 31 Flight in Durban on 1 July 1942 and was assigned anti submarine coastal recce and convoy escort work over the Indian Ocean with ex South African Airways Ju 86 and aging Anson aircraft. In August 1942 the Junkers were replaced by PV 1 Ventura medium patrol bombers. In July 1944 the squadron moved to Gibraltar to operate in the Mediterranean undertaking a major role in day and night anti submarine patrolling losing three aircraft on operations. In July 1945 22 Squadron was posted to Gianaclis in Egypt and in August 1945 moved to Idku Egypt where it was disbanded on 24 October 1945.

22 Squadron was reformed reduced to Flight status as 22 Flight in 1954 equipped with PV 1 Ventura patrol bombers disbanding in 1958.

22 Flight was reactivated on 1 January 1964 at Ysterplaat to operate the newly acquired Westland Wasp and was upgraded to squadron status as 22 squadron in May 1976. The Alouette III was added to the fleet in 1978 and the Wasps were retired in 1990. Wasp helicopters from the Squadron were involved in the rescue of South African Navy personnel in the South Atlantic following the sinking of the SAS President Kruger in 1982. Pumas joined the fleet when 30 Squadron was absorbed by 22 Squadron at the end of 1991. The Squadrons Pumas was replaced by the Oryx in 1994. 22 Squadron is also tasked with supporting South Africas Antarctic research station operating two specially modified Oryx M2 helicopters for use in the extreme conditions with one written of in a crash landing in 2004.

22 Squadron is considered the maritime helicopter squadron and provides helicopters aircrew and ground crews for deployments aboard Navy ships. The Squadron took delivery of the Super Lynx maritime helicopters in 2007 and these are operated from the South African Navy Meko A200SAN valour class frigates.

This patch dates from 1980s