Air Force Base Makhado , formerly Air Force Base Louis Trichardt, is an
airbase
An air base (sometimes referred to as a military air base, military airfield, military airport, air station, naval air station, air force station, or air force base) is an aerodrome used as a military base by a military force for the operation ...
of the South African Air Force. It is the SAAF's northernmost base, situated at Louis Trichardt near the border with Zimbabwe, as well as being its most modern, and is known unofficially as ''Fighter Town, RSA.''
The base motto is ''Castrum Borealis'' (Fortress of the North).
85 Combat Flying School
85 Combat Flying School is a unit of the South African Air Force (SAAF). It is a jet flight-training and combat operations school, it was first formed in 1982 at AFB Pietersburg (It was known as Advanced Flying School from 1967).102 Squadron – Light transport (reserve)
* 515 Squadron – Security services
* 3 Air Servicing Unit – Maintenance support
History
The base was officially opened on 14 October 1987 as AFB Louis Trichardt, but changed its name to match that of the nearby town on 7 November 2003. The town has since reverted to its old name, but the base name remains unchanged. The base uses cheetahs to control wildlife.