The South African Air Force will not participate in air shows for at least two years to allow it time to focus on security preparations ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, SAAF chief Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano has revealed.

Gagiano said apart from its preparations for 2009's Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup, the Air Force had committed itself to "internal obligations" for the next 24 months.

He said instead of showcasing its aircraft at air shows and other publicity drives, the air force would focus on doing its job.

"From 2009 you will not see the SA Air Force at any of the air shows," said Gagiano.

"We have a full two years ahead, with a Gauteng 2010 World Cup preparatory exercise early in the year, the Confederations Cup, the elections and the inauguration of the president.

"The air force is going to concentrate more on doing its work.

"We need to be supportive of the other services, and will put in extra effort in 2009 to satisfy the country's need ahead of the World Cup."

In 2008, Gagiano said, the air force had conducted several exercises with the army, navy and police, all of which went "extremely well".

"In particular, the air force had a very successful exercise with the police, involving a number of other roleplayers of strategic importance to prepare for unforeseen contingencies during the 2010 Soccer World Cup," he said.

"This exercise, officially named Exercise Shield, was divided into two phases, one in Port Elizabeth and the other in Bloemfontein.

"The exercise was aimed at developing doctrine and to evaluate security plans for the major event in 2010, as well as the Confederations Cup in 2009.

"A total of 188 hours was flown by the air force during that exercise alone."

SAAF national spokesperson Colonel Danie van der Westhuizen said the air force would also be involved with a number of training exercises.

He added, however, that its preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup were "going full-steam ahead".

"Our big exercise in 2009 is the SADC brigade in September," said Van der Westhuizen.

"That is when all the SADC regions' air force personnel will come to South Africa for a training session in Gauteng.

"This is a very big exercise and the first of its kind for South Africa, and is also one of the reasons why we won't be participating in the popular air shows around the country."

However, Van der Westhuizen said SAAF aircraft would still be on display at their annual Air Force Museum days.

"There won't be any air shows during the week or on the annual Air Force Museum days, but our aircraft will be on display," he said.

• This article was originally published on page 8 of The Cape Argus on December 04, 2008