James Kriel

Lieutenant-General James Kriel SSAS SD SM MMM is a former South African military commander. He joined the South African Air Force in 1959.

He attended Tygerberg High before doing a pilot course in 1959.

He served as OC 35 Squadron SAAF at AFB Ysterplaat from 1974-1977, flying the Avro Shackleton

He later served as Officer Commanding AFB Ysterplaat as a Colonel before being transferred to Headquarters in the role of Director Air Planning as a Brigadier.

He was promoted to Chief of Air staff operations as a Major General in 1986, followed by Chief of Air Force staff till 1991 when he was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Chief of the Air Force.