85 Combat Flying School (FS) at Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado came under new command on Friday, 18 March.

During a change-of-command parade, Lt-Col Frans Labuschagne handed over the reins of this prestigious air force unit to Lt-Col Craig Leeson. Labuschagne became acting officer commanding of 85 Combat FS in December 2011, after which he was appointed officer commanding on 1 January 2014.

Leeson boasts an impressive career in the South African Air Force (SAAF). He joined the SAAF in January 1997 after matriculating in Kwa-Zulu Natal. He completed the Pilots Wings Course on the Pilatus PC7 Astra in March 1999 at AFB Langebaanweg and then commenced with his Combat Pilot training at 85 Combat FS at AFB Hoedspruit.

Over the period from April 1999 to March 2003, Leeson completed the Fighter Orientation Course, Impala Operational Training Course, Flight Leaders Orientation Course and the Strike Leaders Course, flying the Impala Mk1 and Mk2. During his tour he also served as the Unit Aviation Safety Officer and Surface Attack Officer.

In April 2003, Leeson commenced with the Cheetah Operational Conversion Course at 2 Squadron at AFB Makhado, flying both Cheetah D and C types. Upon completion, he served as the Unit Air Warfare Officer until January 2006, when he participated in a year-long Combat Pilot Exchange with the Chilean Air Force, where he flew the Mirage 50 Pantera.

On his return to South Africa in 2007, Leeson began his Pilot Instructor’s Course at the Central Flying School at AFB Langebaanweg. After achieving a B category instructor rating in June 2008, he joined the initial Gripen cadre with the air crew of 2 Squadron to begin the acceptance and operational testing and evaluation of the aircraft. After completing the Gripen Operational Conversion Course, Leeson served at 2 Squadron as the Air Warfare Officer until the end of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. He then transferred to 85 Combat FS to convert onto the Hawk Mk 120 and achieved a Pilot Attack Instructor’s rating and served as the Flight Commander and Hawk Display Pilot.

In February 2012, Leeson moved to the position of Base Aviation Safety Coordinating Officer, where he continued to give combat instruction on the Hawk and Gripen aircrafts. In this period, his section achieved the SAAF Base Aviation Safety Award twice, in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Leeson was also fortunate to have participated in numerous local and international Armed Forces exercises and operations throughout his career, including a tour as the SA Aviation Unit Commander in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has more than 2 800 flying hours in 10 different aircraft.