P-51 Mustangs of No. 2 Squadron SAAF are sent to Korea as part of South Africa's contribution to the war.
2 Squadron of the South African Air Force was formed on 1 October 1940. The squadron has a long history, having been involved in every single combat action in which the SAAF has taken part. During the Second World War, it made a name for itself in the battles for East Africa, before distinguishing itself in North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force and later in Italy.
The sqdron earned its Battle honour in the East African campaign in 1941, he Juba & the Lakes; Western Desert 1941-1943 battles as well as id Sidi Rezegh, Agedabia, Gazala, El Alamein; French North Africa 1943, El Hamma & Tunis, the Mediterranean 1943, South East Europe 1944-1945, Italy 1943-1945, he Sangro & Gothic Line and in Korea.
The squadron was South Africa's contribution to the United Nations war effort during the Korean War from November 1950 to December 1953. 2 Squadron was attached to the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing U.S. Air Force for the duration of the war. Initially flying the P-51 Mustang, the squadron re-equipped with the F-86 Sabre in February 1953.
During the war the squadron flew a total of 12,067 sorties, most being dangerous ground attack missions. 74 of the 94 Mustangs and 4 out of the 22 Sabers were lost, along with 33 pilots (14 killed in action, 11 missing in action, 8 pilots killed in accident).
Currently based at AFB Makhado in Limpopo the squadron fly the JAS 39 Gripen
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