The unit was originally formed as No 5 Fighter-bomber Squadron at Youngsfield near Cape Town on 1 April 1939, but was disbanded on 8 November. Although No 5 (F) Squadron was established as an Active Citizen Force (ACF) unit at Air Force Station (AFS) Zwartkop near Pretoria on 1 December 1939, it remained dormant for 17 months. It was reformed as a fighter squadron at AFS Zwartkop on 7 May 1941.

Initially 5 Squadron was equipped with the Curtiss Mohawk fighter (as well as two Harvard Mk Is for operational training). On 10 December1941 Maj Frost (the unit commander) announced that the squadron would move north. After having arrived at the Royal Air Force (RAF) station at Kasfareet, the aircrew relocated to Khartoum for training. First they moved to LG99, south of Alexandria (where they received Curtiss Tomahawks), on 22 February 1942, and then to LG121. Here they relieved 335 (Hellenic) Squadron (RAF) and was placed under the authority of 234 Wing (RAF). They provided air defence cover between Mersa Matruh and Sollum as well as fighter cover to ships moving along the coast.

Among others 5 Squadron provided vital cover to ships moving between Alexandria and Malta. During the three months following 14 July 1942, sorties mostly comprised escorting reconnaissance aircraft, fighter-bombers or the Bostons and Baltimores of 12, 21 and 24 Squadrons (SAAF). By 7 August 1942 the unit had lost four commanders in three months.

On 17 December 5 Squadron was integrated into 7 Wing (SAAF). 6 January 1943 saw the unit swap its Tomahawks for Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk 1s. Kittyhawk IIIs were transferred to 5 Squadron. After it became clear that the unit would not receive any Spitfires, it was transferred to 239 Wing (RAF) because it flew only Kittyhawks.

5 Squadron was among the early users of a tactical cooperation system known as “Cab Rank” operations. A ground-based forward controller would direct the bombing efforts of orbiting aircraft and then provide immediate corrections to the rest of the aircraft. Before attacking, all the aircraft would adopt a line-astern formation, which would emulate civilian taxis standing at a rank. A mobile air controller, known as a “rover”, would relay instructions to the attacking aircraft.

The Kittyhawk IIIs were replaced by Kittyhawk IVs in February 1944. Subsequently, at the end of September 1944, the unit received North American Mustangs. On arrival at Bari on 19 October 1945 the squadron was disbanded.

5 Squadron was administratively reformed as an ACF fighter unit at Stamford Hill Aerodrome in Durban on 1 September 1950, effectively being reestablished on 1 January 1951. On 31 December 1956 the unit relocated to Louis Botha Airport on the outskirts of Durban, using South African Airways facilities until its own could be completed. The unit’s base later became known as AFS Durban. Since March 1970 the unit enjoyed the freedom of entry into Durban. 

In July 1973 5 Squadron entered the jet age when it received new mounts in the form of Atlas Impala Mk Is.

The Latin motto of the unit, Difficultates Aspiciemus, is rendered as “We confront our difficulties” in English. This is the squadron badge as it appeared on Impala Mk I 490 on 15 July 1980 at Air Force Base (AFB) Durban.

Examples of the single-seat version of the Impala, namely Mk IIs, began arriving in January 1981. With the introduction of the Mk IIs, the unit assumed the primary role of close air support and secondary role of reconnaissance, squadron personnel serving in northern South West Africa (which is now known as Namibia) until March 1985, when 5 Squadron was disbanded.

By 25 March 1988 the unit had been reactivated at AFB Louis Trichardt (now known as AFB Makhado). Its offensive abilities were drastically improved with the introduction into service of the Atlas Cheetah E, with the first of these being 820 (taken on strength on 3 March 1988).

The Cheetah E performed the role of interceptor and at least two aircraft were on permanent standby at AFB Louis Trichardt should Zimbabwe become aggressive.

Cheetah E 828 was originally Mirage IIIEZ construction number 411, and was delivered to Atlas for conversion on 3 November 1986 and redelivered to the SAAF on 14 April 1988. When aircraft 828 was delivered on that date, it was the third aircraft on strength with 5 Squadron.

The Latin motto of 5 Squadron, Difficultates Aspiciemus, is rendered as “We confront our difficulties” in English. This is the unit badge as it appeared on Cheetah 828 at AFB Lanseria on 28 September 1991.

Cheetah E 842 had this non-standard camouflaged scheme, as illustrated on 19 September 1992 at Air Force Base Pietersburg. This aircraft was delivered to Atlas Aviation for conversion on 6 July 1987 and redelivered to the SAAF on 21 December 1988. It was the eighth Cheetah E Atlas delivered to the SAAF.