2 Squadron became the sole front line combat jet squadron in the SAAF. Till 2 April 2008 the squadron operated the Cheetah C/D fighter aircraft and was equipped with 28 examples. The squadron flew 1010 hours in 2004. The last of the Cheetahs were retired on 2 April 2008, later that month the first new JAS 39 Gripen arrived. The SAAF accepted its first Gripen D in April 2008 and the final two Gripen D aircraft arrived in South Africa in July 2009. The first two Gripen Cs arrived on 11 February 2010 with deliveries ongoing as at October 2011. The squadron operates all the SAAF's Gripens except for the first Gripen D, which is assigned to the Test Flight and Development Centre at AFB Overberg. Aircraft operated 1945–present North American F-51D Mustang July 1945 – 1953 North American F-86F Sabre 1953 de Havilland Vampire 1953–56 Canadair Sabre Mk.6 1956–63 Dassault Mirage III 1963–89 Atlas Cheetah C and D 1988–2008 JAS 39 Gripen 2008–present References Bibliography External links Unofficial South African Air Force website Squadrons of the South African Air Force Fighter aircraft units and formations 2 Squadron SAAF United Nations contingents in Korea SAAF2 Military units and formations established in 1940 South Africa–South Korea relations