Rhodesian Air Force
The Rhodesian Air Force (RhAF) was an air force based in Salisbury (now Harare) which represented several entities under various names between 1935 and 1980: originally serving the British self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia, it was the air arm of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953 and 31 December 1963; of Southern Rhodesia once again from 1 January 1964; and of the unrecognised nation of Rhodesia following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain on 11 November 1965.
Rhodesian Air Force | |
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Active | 1935–1980 |
Disbanded | April 1980 |
Country | Rhodesia |
Allegiance |
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Part of | Rhodesian Security Forces |
Air Headquarters | New Sarum Air Force Base |
Motto(s) | Latin: Alæ Præsidio Patriæ (Our wings are the fortress of the country) |
March | Winged Assegais |
Anniversaries | 28 November |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Air Officers Commanding | See Commanders |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol | See Insignia |
Named the Royal Rhodesian Air Force (RRAF) from 1954, the "Royal" prefix was dropped in 1970 when Rhodesia declared itself a republic – the official abbreviation changed appropriately. When the internationally recognised country of Zimbabwe came into being in 1980, the RhAF became the Air Force of Zimbabwe.