AFB Ysterplaat (Air Force Station Brooklyn)

Air Force Base Ysterplaat is a South African Air Force (SAAF) installation located in the suburb of Ysterplaat in Cape Town, Western Cape. The site originally operated as Maitland Aerodrome, a civilian airfield established in 1929. In 1938, African Air Transport began operating at the site to train pilots for the Union Air Training Group. Following the donation of the land for military use during World War II, the facility officially opened as Air Force Station Brooklyn on 24 October 1941. In 1946, South Africa's first jet aircraft, a Gloster Meteor III, was assembled and flown at the station. The facility was renamed Air Force Station Ysterplaat on 1 April 1949 and subsequently hosted the assembly of de Havilland Vampire FB Mk.5 jet fighters from 1950. The installation was upgraded to airbase status on 1 February 1968.

AFB Ysterplaat is owned by the Government of South Africa, operated by the SAAF, and conducts maritime patrol and transport operations along the Cape coastline. The base hosts 22 Squadron (helicopters), 35 Squadron (transport and maritime patrol aircraft), and 110 Squadron (reserve light transport). Base infrastructure supports 80 Air Navigation School SAAF, security operations under 505 Squadron, and aircraft maintenance via a detachment of 2 Air Support Unit.