The first 16 men to do para-training overseas departed on 27 September 1960.
The first qualified paratroopers jumped out of a Sikorsky helicopter at Tempe on 5 January 1962
The first paratroopers sent to the South West Africa (now Namibia) order was during 1973
Cross border operations started during 1974
The first 1 Para Bn reaction force started operating from Ondangwa, Namibia in 1976
South African Paratroopers took part in more than 80 operations in battle
Alpha, Delta and Golf were the only companies deployed in 1979/80 in Rhodesia
Fire force means Paratroopers reaction force
S.A.D.F. learned fire force from the Rhodesian Army
A “Valkgroep” was pelatoon of paratroopers
A Dac/Dak is an abbreviation for the Dakota DC3 aircraft
A “Flossie” or C130 Hercules and C160 Transall aircraft transported troops to the operational area
A C130 Hercules had a carrying capacity of 64 paratroopers
Before jumping out of the aircraft, the red light means STAND IN THE DOOR, and the green light means, “GO – JUMP!!!”
A Super Frelon is a helicopter with a carrying capacity of approximately 22 men
The Puma helicopter was later upgraded and renamed Oryx
A Chopper is a shortened abbreviation for a helicopter
A “K-Car” was an Alouette helicopter flying above the reaction group in the operational area with the Commanding Officer controlling the fire force reaction group
The “G-Car” was an Alouette helicopter with airsupport fire of 20mm or machine guns to the ground forces
Tempe is a military base in Bloemfontein
The R1 rifle calibre was 7,62mm and a magazine takes 20 rounds
The R1 in the R1 rifle referred to Republic One and replaced the old FN
The R4 rile carried two types of magazines – 30 rounds & 50 rounds, and originated in Israel
The 47 of the AK-47 refers to the date it was designed
