A Pretoria woman has flown into world military history as the first woman fighter pilot to fly a Gripen fighter jet.
Captain Catherine "Siren" Labuschagne (25), who is stationed at 85 Combat Flying School in Hoedspruit, took to the skies over Waterkloof Air Force Base during the opening of the African Aerospace and Defence 2004 show.
Labuschagne, who matriculated at Willowridge High School, is currently completing her fighter training course on Impalas at Hoedspruit.
Once she has completed her training next year, Labuschagne will move on to Hawk Fighter Trainer jets before becoming permanently stationed on the Gripen.
The Gripen is to replace South Africa's Cheetahs, while the Hawks will replace the Impalas.
Speaking after her historical flight, Labuschagne said that she was still in a state of awe. "It 's one of the most amazing and incredible aircrafts I've ever flown."
Asked what it was like to have made history Labuschagne said it had not quite sunk in yet.
"It is fantastic to know that I am the first woman fighter pilot to have flown the Gripen, but it is a great honour regardless of whether you are male or female," she said.
Labuschagne, who joined the air force because of her love for flying, encouraged all of those, "whether you are from a privileged area or not",to join the air force.
National Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said that South Africa was especially proud of Labuschagne and others like her.
"These people have taken up the cause of keeping our land safe and ensuring our sovereignty."
"Not only am I proud of her because she is the first female fighter pilot to fly the Gripen, but also because she is white," he said.
Asked to explain, Lekota said the last time the Gripen had been on show it had been piloted by Gabriel Ndabadaba, who had been poached by a commercial company, "whose salary we cannot match".
Lekota said that he was proud that young white pilots were resisting the urge of better salaries and were putting their country first.
"They show true commitment to our country and hold our future in their hands," he said. - Military Reporter.