Operations 18 Light Regiment

1 operations

1.1 operational duties: 1988–1990
1.2 urban , rural coinops: 1984–1991
1.3 scaling-down , impacts on 18 light regiment
1.4 regimental coat of arms

operations
operational duties: 1988–1990

in march 1988, 182 battery under command of captain johan borret participated in 3rd attack on quito cuanavale during operation hooper , operation packer. deployed in primary role artillery , tasked engaging targets on west bank of tumbo river came under return fire fapla within first hour , on , off during remainder of attack. during operation 2 gunners wounded.

during 1989, 183 battery exchanged maroon paratroopers’ berets light blue berets of un peace keeping force. battery, commanded captain andre pelser formed part of joint military monitoring group (j.m.m.c) assist in overseeing of withdrawal of s.a.d.f. namibia , cubans angola.

1989 saw last citizen force camp of 60 days , deployment of 182 battery in direct formation 3 parachute battalion. 182 battery tasked border patrol duties along limpopo river. (south africa, zimbabwe , botswana) based @ almond base in weipe district.

a handful of parachute qualified gunners 182 battery elected assigned 3 parachute battalion in sector 10, south west africa (s.w.a.) in december 1989 , january 1990. here served in infantry capacity patrolling area of northern s.w.a. , on fire-force standby. before withdrawal of s.a.d.f. angola , south west africa in first quarter of 1990.

urban , rural coinops: 1984–1991

as rest of brigade each individual unit deployed internal unrest operations. 181 battery deployed @ kirkwood in eastern cape. served dual stabilization role efforts improve conditions of local community. efforts 181 battery awarded chief of army merit certificate exceptional duty.

in september 1985 181 battery deployed border patrol duties @ madimbo on zimbabwe border. no incidents of insurgency recorded occasional attempt @ illegal border crossings prevented.

during 1987 entire 18 light regiment called maintain law , order @ mamelodi, east of pretoria, mthombo in port elizabeth , kwaggafontein east of mafeking.

scaling-down , impacts on 18 light regiment

1991 year of many changes 18 light regiment, movement of 44 parachute brigade headquarters bloemfontein own headquarters moved murray hill paulshof building in pretoria. due other commitments leadership group @ time underwent changes , creation of sandf in 1994 brigade scheduled planned downscale of regiment. 18 light regiment transferred thereafter artillery formation in pretoria , located @ magazine hill, tsa neighbour.

regimental coat of arms

the regimental coat of arms designed george gravette , motto primus inter pares (first amongst equals) emblem proud of. regimental coat of arms depicts well-known griffon of 44 parachute brigade adaptions distinguish artillery infantry , other members of 44 parachute brigade. shoulder flashes of 44 parachute brigade have same griffon; however, 18 light regiment has artillery ‘lightning bolt’ runs horizontally above griffon.

as in 44 parachute brigade, 18 light regiment paratroopers wore coveted maroon paratrooper beret iron spread-eagled griffon , artillery beret bar (balkie) below metal griffon had ‘lightning bolt’.

18 light regiment s emblem proudly placed on top left of 44 parachute brigade formation ensemble. symbolizes both unique airborne , artillery characteristic of regiment.