4 AIR FORCE ZINE OF ZIMBABWE MAGA inside this issue.... @ Email: [email protected] contents page Celebrating 40 years of air defence excellence. 5 The story behind the historic mass y past 6 (COFWs on preparations and selected pilots to share their experiences of ying in the mass ypast) Fly well Air Chief Marshal Shiri 13 AFZ responses to COVID-19 Pandemic. 15 Promotion of Second Female Air Commodore. Prole of 17 Air Cdre Winnie Mandeya and Senior Ofcers. Groundbreaking ceremony for Simuchembu and Neromwe Clinic. 18 Handover of Wheelchairs. 20 JCSC and JSC Graduations. 22 Air Cdre Jaricha book launch 23 AFZ commemorates National Tree Planting. 29 Finding the delicate balance between social media usage and national security. 30 Condentiality, Integrity and Availability. 33 AFZ Inter-Base Sports Competitions. 35 AFZ member aims to be the next Usain Bolt 37 AFZ Bases host Cultural Days. 39 Tips on growing cabbages as an income generating project 41 A tale of military discipline. 46 Poetry corner. 47 Production: GPC Advertising & Print and PrintWorks & FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Editorial Board The year 2020 is an important milestone in the history of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) as it marks 40 years since the founding Chairman of the organisation in 1980 after the attainment of Air Commodore George Daniel Ngundu Independence. The Commander AFZ, Air Marshal Elson Moyo leads in celebrating this 40" Anniversary with a message that Deputy Chairman reflects on the journey thus far. In the same vein, we revisit the Group Captain Valentine Sedze historic mass fly past performed by the AFZ at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) day Celebration in 2019 in order to Board understand how the officers and members were able to execute Wing Commander Simon Matingwina the remarkable feat. On a sad note, in July 2020, the AFZ and the Wing Commander Ryan Neil Armstrong nation lost the former Commander AFZ who, at the time of his Wing Commander Richard Chitumba demise, was the Minister of Lands Agriculture and Rural Wing Commander John Chirinda Wing Commander Rufaro Tauya Muringi Resettlement, Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Perrance Shiri. We feature Wing Commander Admore Hozvora a story that celebrates his life and invaluable contributions to Wing Commander Hilary Jona the liberation of Zimbabwe and the growth of the AFZ. Squadron Leader Togarepi Mpangi Squadron Leader Jonathan Mazorodze The year 2020 has also seen the outbreak and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed the lives of many people in Secretariat Zimbabwe and other parts of the world. The AFZ has responded Flight Lieutenant Ennie Rumbidzai Jombo to this health threat by contributing to the national efforts to Flight Lieutenant Bernard Yombayomba contain the pandemic and also by implementing measures to protect its workforce so that they effectively perform their Chief Editor various duties in line with defending Zimbabwe's airspace and Wing Commander Simon Matingwina territorial integrity. This issue features a story that details the AFZ responses to the pandemic. Managing Editors Flight Lieutenant Ennie Rumbidzai Jombo Outside the measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the Flight Lieutenant Bernard Yombayomba Air Lieutenant Reckson Mandizvidza AFZ has responded to the plight of the disadvantaged Air Lieutenant Melissa Zuwaradoka communities by implementing a number of charity programmes and some of these interventions are featured in Senior Editor this issue of the magazine. Warrant Officer 2 Chirembwe Gilbert Pedro Information literacy remains an important skill that empowers Assistant Editor users of social media and other information and Warrant Officer 2 Chaeruka Nathan communication technologies. In this issue we feature two Pedzisai articles that aim to impart knowledge and information on how to strike the delicate balance between social media usage and Staff Writers security concerns. Warrant Officer 2 Mbizvo Francis Warrant Officer 2 Chaeruka Nathan The AFZ has continued to provide equal opportunities for both Pedzisai men and women as testified by the recent promotion of Air Warrant Officer 2 Chirembwe Gilbert Pedro Commodore Winnie Cabby Mandeya and participation of Master Sergeant Mwerahari Raymore women in various sporting disciplines. Chief Photographer Warrant Officer 2 Dube Innocent For these top stories and more, please read this issue of the AFZ Magazine. “Our Wings are the Fortress of the Nation” 4 4 forty years of Air Defence Excellence COMMANDER AIRFORCE OF ZIMBABWE'S MESSAGE FOR THE 40TH ANNIVESARY COMMEMORATION E MOYO - Air Marshal Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Year 2020 is a major milestone in the proud history of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) as we commemorate our 40" anniversary. The anniversary is being celebrated under the theme 'Celebrating 40 Years of Air Defence Excellence’ The long and arduous journey, which was characterised by both trying and exciting times, started way back at Independence in 1980. The AFZ evolved out of the Rhodesian Air Force (RAF), a white-dominated entity that was designed to fight for the interests of colonial settlers, into a truly national Force that was mandated to protect the interests of the generality of Zimbabweans regardless of race, colour or creed. The former Rhodesians put in spirited efforts to resist the entry of blacks into specialised departments of the organisation. Those efforts were defeated through the infusion of former ZANLA and ZIPRA liberation war combatants, as well as young post-Independence cadres, who were trained in friendly countries such as Egypt, China, Libya, Nigeria, Tanzania, North Korea, Pakistan, Romania and Russia. Within a few years, the AFZ had grown into a truly Zimbabwean Force which maintained high levels of technical expertise, discipline and professionalism. Over the years the AFZ has effectively played its part alongside sister Security Services in ensuring that an environment of peace and tranquility, which is a prerequisite for economic development, prevails in the country. Additionally, we have provided support to the Civil Powers, in the form of Search and Rescue operations, VIP and VVIP transportation, ceremonial displays and fly pasts as well as humanitarian work. Regionally and internationally, we have excelled in major operations such as the Mozambican Campaign, which cleared and safeguarded Zimbabwe's economic lifeline to the sea and Operation Sovereign Legitimacy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The AFZ has also participated in many peace support operations under the auspices of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN). Zimbabwe's erstwhile former colonisers, in collaboration with their allies, have slapped illegal sanctions on our country, a predicament that has given the AFZ many challenges in keeping its platforms and other technical equipment in a serviceable state. However, let me hasten to mention that we have not allowed that to undermine our resolve to continuously meet our constitutional mandate. Through initiative, innovation and the determination to succeed in the midst of adversity, combined with support from our allies, I am proud to pronounce that the AFZ maintains significant levels of serviceability for training and operations. We are therefore fully capable of carrying out our constitutional roles and contributing to the success of national goals and aspirations under Vision 2030 and beyond. We are indeed grateful to those countries, organisations, companies and individuals who have supported and cooperated with us over the past 40 years. Finally, I convey my sincere appreciation to the Officers, men and women of the AFZ for their sterling work. Let us remain focused and determined as we strive to build our Air Force to higher levels of excellence. “Our Wings are the Fortress of the Nation” 5 THE STORY BEHIND THE HISTORIC MASS AFZ FLY-PAST 4 forty years of ON PRESENTATION OF COLOURS CEREMONY Air Defence Excellence By Flight Lieutenant B Yombayomba One of the major highlights at the historic The road to such a smooth end began with a presentation of colours ceremony during the very steep incline that was both slippery and Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Day meandering. For 21 aircraft to be airborne it celebrations in 2019, was the mass fly past by means the aircraft engineers had to have some Air Force of Zimbabwe aircraft from all the good boots for traction to reach the desired flying squadrons. While the fly-past captured goal. In an interview with the Public Relations, the hearts of many who witnessed it at the Wing Commander Dondo, the Commanding National Sports Stadium and also on television, Officer Technical Wing Josiah Tungamirai Air the story of how 21 aircraft with different speeds Force Base revealed that it was not so easy for and coming from different Air Bases were able to that show to come out. He stated that they had execute such a spectacular maneuver without to summon all technical officers and warrant any incidents is a remarkable achievement officers whose input would be invaluable to join worthy documenting. hands and run the process of getting the required aircraft on line. Traditionally, the Air Force of Zimbabwe like many other Air Forces around the world "When the idea of a mass fly past was first executes fly-pasts on national occasions and mooted by authorities at Air HQ, questions like celebrations such as Independence Day and 'How is it possible? Which aircraft do we have on Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day and on official line capable of pulling this one?' were common. o p e n i n g c e r e m o n i e s f o r Z i m b a b w e Then stakeholders such as Commanding International Trade Fair and Zimbabwe Officers Wings were invited to Air HQ to say for Agricultural Show among other events. In themselves which aircraft were to be included in pursuit of this story, the Air Force Magazine went the mass fly past.