defenceWeb Written by defenceWeb - 44 Squadron CASA 212 at AFB Waterkloof ahead of food loading. Heavy and persistent rain over much of South Africa isolated some communities, necessitating outside assistance with food and other essentials, with the SA Air Force (SAAF) in the vanguard of at least one mercy mission. At the weekend a CASA 212 transport operated by AFB Waterkloof-based 44 Squadron joined an Oryx medium transport helicopter from 17 Squadron (AFB Swartkop) delivering eight tons of food to Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality in the Northern Cape. The local authority borders Botswana in the west and comprises the three local municipalities Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana and Joe Morolong as well as 186 towns and settlements, with the majority (80%) villages.