What Are Military Bases?
A military Base Is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel and facilitates training and operations. A military base always provides accommodations for one or more units, but it may also be used as a command center, training ground, or proving ground. In most cases, military bases rely on outside help to operate. However, certain complex bases are able to endure on their own for long periods because they are able to provide food, water, and other necessities for their inhabitants while under siege. Bases for military aviation are called military air bases, or simply “air bases”. Bases for military ships are called naval bases.
How Many Military Bases In South Africa?
The South African Air Force has bases serving both the maritime and inland borders of the country.
| Base | Location | Major units |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force Base Bloemspruit | 29°05′38″S 26°18′14″E | 16 Squadron; 87 Helicopter Flying School |
| Air Force Base Durban | 29°58′07″S 30°56′52″E | 15 Squadron |
| Air Force Base Hoedspruit | 24°21′17″S 31°03′01″E | 19 Squadron |
| Air Force Base Langebaanweg | 32°58′08″S 18°09′55″E | Central Flying School; Silver Falcons |
| Air Force Base Makhado | 23°09′36″S 29°41′48″E | 2 Squadron; 85 Combat Flying School |
| Air Force Base Overberg | 34°33′17″S 20°15′02″E | Test Flight and Development Centre |
| Air Force Base Swartkop | 25°48′25″S 28°09′52″E | 17 Squadron; South African Air Force Museum |
| Air Force Base Waterkloof | 25°49′48″S 28°13′21″E | 2 Squadron; 21 Squadron; 28 Squadron; 41 Squadron; 44 Squadron |
| Air Force Base Ysterplaat | 33°54′04″S 18°29′00″E | 22 Squadron; 35 Squadron; 80 Air Navigation School |
| Air Force Station Port Elizabeth | 33°59′24″S 25°36′37″E | C Flight of 15 Squadron |
Types Of Military Bases Establishment?
Depending on the context, the term “military base” may refer to any establishment (usually permanent) that houses a nation’s armed forces, or even organized paramilitary forces such as the Police, Constabulary, Militia, or Guards. Alternatively, the term may refer solely to an establishment that is used only by an army (or possibly other land-fighting related forces, such as marines) to the exclusion of a base used by either an air force or a navy. This is consistent with the different meanings of the word ‘military’.