The Sekhukhune Anti-Aircraft Regiment (formerly 6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment) is an air defence

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

of the

South African Army The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Service. ...

. It is part of the

South African Army Air Defence Artillery Formation The South African Army Air Defence Artillery Formation is the controlling entity of all South African Army Air Defence Artillery units. This Formation consists of both regular and reserve units. History Origin, World War 2 and the Bushwar Air D ...

. It is located in

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Demo ...

History

6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was officially established on 1 April 1965 with its headquarters in

Brakpan Brakpan is a mining town in the Gauteng province of South Africa. History The name Brakpan comes from a small pan on a farm called Weltevreden, which was filled with very brackish water and was probably referred to as the "brakpan," and it was nea ...

at the headquarters of

Regiment Oos Transvaal The iWombe Anti-Aircraft Regiment (formerly Regiment Oos Transvaal) is a reserve air defence regiment of the South African Army. History Origin Regiment Oos Transvaal was established on 1 October 1964. Its first headquarters was a Magistrates ...

until 1968. It transferred to Springs, and then moved to Johannesburg in 1979. The first commanding officer was Commandant Dick Inngs, who retired in 1977. He was succeeded by Commandant Nick Irish.

Border War

The regiment took part in

Operation Savannah Operation Savanna (or Operation Savannah) was the first insertion of Special Operations Executive, SOE trained Free French paratroops into German-occupied France during World War II. This SOE mission, requested by the Air Ministry, was to ambu ...

in 1976 as part of 73 Brigade, part of

7 South African Infantry Division 7 South African Infantry Division was a formation of the South African Army, active from the 1960s to 1999. History Origin of 7 Division from existing and new Brigades 7 Division and 17, 18 and 19 Brigades were established on 1 April 1965. Dif ...

. Two batteries of 35mm

Oerlikon GDF The Oerlikon GDF or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed as ''Rheinmetall Air Defence AG'' following the merger with Rheinmetall in 2009). The system was originally designated 2 ZLA/ ...

AA guns were mobilised for duty on the SWA border to protect Grootfontein and Rundu.

Freedom of Entry

The unit exercised its freedom of entry into Johannesburg on the 9th of November 2013 as part of the centenary celebrations of the City of Johannesburg with fixed bayonets, colours flying and drums beating.

Name Change

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. 6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment became the Sekhukhune Anti-Aircraft Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.

Regimental Symbols

SADF era 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment insignia

Battle Honours

* Operation Savannah

References

{{SA Army Units Artillery regiments of South Africa Air defence regiments Military units and formations in Brakpan Military units and formations established in 2019