title: Roelf Beukes
text: # Roelf Beukes
  
  Lieutenant-General Roelf Beukes SD SM MMM is a retired South African military commander. He joined the South African Air Force in 1969 and later served as Chief of the Air Force.
  
  ## Military career
  
  Beukes attended the South African Military Academy from 1966 to 1969. He completed the Senior Command and Staff Course at the Chilean Air War Academy, Santiago, from 1979 to 1980. He remained in Chile to serve as a pilot instructor.
  
  ## Aircraft Flown
  
  During his career he flew the following aircraft:
  
  * Harvard
  * De Havilland Vampire
  * Sabre
  * Impala
  * Mirage III
  * Cheetah D
  
  ## Awards and honours
  
  * Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
  * Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
  * Military Merit Medal (MMM)
  * Pro Patria Medal
  * General Service Medal (South Africa)
  * Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
  * Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
  * Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
  * Chilean Air Force Merit Medal
  
  Pilots Wings (Qualification) :
  
  * 2500 plus hrs Black on Thatch beige, Embossed National Coat of Arms with large wings enclosed by two black rectangles
  