South Africa, Republic. An Air Force (Saaf) Championships Award Medal

In silvered white metal, obverse illustrating the SAAF eagle insignia overlying an open-ended wreath of laurel leaves, reverse centre blank and surrounded by the inscriptions in Afrikaans and English "SALM - SAAF / KAMPIOENSKAPPE - CHAMPIONSHIPS", measuring 51 mm (w) x 63.8 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, loop suspension, very light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of South Africa, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on February 1, 1920. The Air Force has seen service in the Second World War and the Korean War. From 1966, the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in a low intensity war ("The Border War") in Angola, South-West Africa (Namibia) and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased until in the late 1980s, the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures, as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states. Today the SAAF has a limited air combat capability and has been structured towards regional peace-keeping, disaster relief and maritime patrol operations. During the apartheid era, it was known by its Afrikaans name of Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag (SALM, lit. "South African Air Power"), a moniker which has since been depreciated.