Henry240:


I don't know, perhaps the illiterate South-African would be better off sending his message to his bosses in South-Africa.


The little Marine has to go down to the level of teaching the dumb South-African soldier how to push a suspect. Would you trust this one with a gun?

GreenandGold:


You're right there... The local TRT would have responded faster.

Yeah unless there was prior intelligence about the heist

ssaengine:
WARNING - semi graphic pic

South African Police Special Task Force - 1
Cash in Transit Robbers - 0/grave

You sure about this? I saw a report about a CIT heist in Witbank, but no mention of police let alone STF intercepting the robbers.

jln115:
Actually it classified them as White and Non-white......When reading their ID documents people were classified as either White,Black, Coloured or Indian...no mention of Europeans as you claimed above, even 99% of the signs stated Blank of Nie-Blank which means White and non-White!!

It's well documented that the reason the signs were CHANGED was because white non-Europeans, Americans for example, would use BLACK entrances, but believe what you will.

jakeporeshenko:
I really don't get what the problem is with these South Africans, if they are not discussing off topic crap about their country then they are talking down on other African countries. We don't need that here, until you learn to respect other African counties you can all just take your ignorant and arrogant attitudes somewhere else, you don't post pictures anyways so your absence would not really be felt.

Seriously it's like trying to manage a bunch of mannerless kids, I wonder what kind of Supremacist bullshit they feed them in that their country.

Im a SAfrican and we have massive problems here. Some compatriots are clearly here to make themselves feel better. There's a thread for that! Please not here

jln115:

The Europeans left when we became independent back in 1910!

Not quite mate! Not even when SA became a republic in 1961 did the Europeans leave! You'd recall that apartheid with its segregation laws classified ALL whites as Europeans and us blacks as non-whites so lets not kid ourselves.

ActivateKruger:


It wasn't the responsibility of South Africa to protect CAR citizens. The only agreement there was only included training CAR government troops under Buzize. Those troops runaway from Seleka, others joined them and our mission was over.

Whatever happens to them is not our politics.

There were reinforcements brought into Entebbe if I recall, with the the ability to retake Bangui, but that was called off. Rooivalks, Gripen etc

patches689:


Thats from a foreign visit by Zuma where the PPS was replaced with the Tactical Response Team (TRT) of the National Intervention Unit (N.I.U). The same guys that are busy cracking down on campus protest at the moment, a.k.a amaberete ("those with berets". They are basically South Africas version of a SWAT team, meant to full the gap between regular Patrol Officers and the Special Task Force.

Why he went to Cote d’Ivoire with the TRT and not the PPP or the Recces no one knows. The sitiation in the city was very tense at the time and may have necessitated the use of the Recces again, but its not really a job for TRT

The officers in the photos are all PPS members. An easy way of ALWAYS distinguishing between PPU and CAT is if the officer is wearing a ballistic helmet or a beret. Officers wearing baseball caps are strictly PPU which means they're close protection and don't stay around for shootouts. That is a job for CAT hence the ballistic helmets, vests and smoke grenades etc. CAT members do at times wear civvies, so as to blend in however there is always a mixture of civvies and uniformed members in advance and close in capacities. In addition CAT assists the Reserve Bank with in transit security. If you live in Gauteng I'm sure you've seen those massive slow moving motorcades of 18 wheeler trucks with security. The NIU or TRT as far as I know NEVER assists with close or parameter protection of VIPs more especially the president. What I have witnessed myself is that local police stations will be asked to avail a few officers on dirtbikes etc to patrol an area a PPS protected VIP will be visiting. But that was 2011 and things may have changed because TMPD now permanently escorts PPS motorcades.

ActivateKruger:
...... Also members of the notorious Tactical Response Team (TRT) form part of the team.

That's incorrect, those with berets were always CAT. I'm guessing part of the reason to change their uniform was probably informed by this misconception

Henry240:
South-Africa's President bodyguards.


"I wonder why they are trying to suffocate Zuma?". Don't you guys have a dedicated VIP/VVIP unit in RSA, like a DSS equivalent?

Yes we do called the Presidential Protection Service which encompasses the Presidential Protection Unit, Counter Assault Team and other auxiliary units eg dog units, technical, investigation, intelligence. PPU is further broken down into Alpha and Bravo which protect the president and deputy president respectivcely, with Bravo further rotating to protect former presidents/deputies. You're probably looking at the photos and thinking that is overkill. It probably was, but Alpha is made up of a mad bunch of political appointees, in fact the man on the far right with the three stars on his shoulder is the current commander of PPS, General Dladla. Under him the PPS has grown to even regularly include the Special Task Force which is well documented on these pages. The uniform has also changed to a militaristic colour scheme. So their behaviour at times is just down to hubris in fact Bravo is a much calmer unit, but their training also includes STF elements such as Vasbyt so they're well trained. The motorcade has grown under Zuma to number 20 vehicles now (10 sedan BMWs and 10 motorcycles). Did you get this from a blog post?

ssaengine:
...

I think what's at issue here is your comment on 'professionalism'. Clearly OPSEC differs globally and we can't place Recces as the arbiter's of special forces excellence. In addition a lot of the culture is carried on from the old apartheid era. For example nobody in the public knows who the current GOC is? So while I understand that from our South African perspective, prevailing culture says operators don't publicly show their faces, this isn't the norm everywhere. For example we know with certainty who the DEVGRU operator is that killed Bin Laden. We still don't and probably will never, publicly know who the SASFB operator is that sniped rebels from 2150m. Even the interview with the individual was painfully vague. Just a matter of culture not professionalism, merely my 2 cents. I'm not a serving member nor have ever been, so I'll defer to those who are or have, but I don't think it is fair that we impose our culture on to others.

Henry240:


He's a South-African commando. That's is all that matters, I've proven my point and this argument is no longer up for a debate.

On this you're way off the mark, but let me assist you. I have seen on instagram accounts of members of special forces (NOT RECCES) which are unlocked and from where they post personal photos, so yes they're aren't hard to find if you know what you're looking. They were clearly on their way to qualifying, but not fully fledged operators. This individual isn't in special forces let alone a qualified operator. At AAD for example there were quite a number of special forces members, but only one operator with an operator's badge.

africaken254:
which giant that can only achieve a 0.1 % growth , where is M23 Today !,you can't even deal with ragtag mai mai and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) with machetes(while you claim your in DRC,for your own interest).how many candidate vying for seats in SA have being assassinated this year !
a small country can invade a big country like DRC(for its own interest) ,while SA can't deal with ragtag rebels in CAR !!??

Same Kagame you praise has had a number of Rwandans assassinated in SA and around the world and no he hasn't done more for Africa than SA. Lets stick to facts

jln115:

Took the words out of my mouth!!

You both know it being illegal doesn't stop criminals, civilians and the like from accessing uniforms, arms etc from SANDF members through negligence and non-compliance. Just this past week in fact I saw a musician performing in soldier 2000 cap and all

Henry240:


Are you drunk, what sort of a comment is that?


....And South-Africa and her SANDF with it's well documented incompetence is what?


Please refrain from making inflammatory comments or simply keep Nigeria out of your ignorant examples. I can fully respond in like terms, however for the sake of mutual-respect let's all keep this thread clean.

That comment is wholly uncalled for! These very things happen here in South Africa, in fact I see civilians wearing military gear often. So I suppose South Africa itself is a dodgy African country, please let's refrain from name-calling my fellow South Africans, it is unbecoming. Jacob Zuma wouldn't deserve to be president of Syria so let's stop the pretence of South Africa being some perfect El Dorado. I'm really sorry to my fellow Africans, there are prejudices we Saffers must unlearn.

denisfidha:

well we can look at it from many angles..... but as per the law.... in most democracies, the military has been allowed to issue ceremonial ranks, the president can use it or not depends on himself, but if he choses to then its his business cause he can and is within his powers as th CinC, he does not recieve any special benefits with his ceremonial rank.......... mostly the ceremonial rank is awarded during wartimes but on special occassions it can be awarded if the president even in peaceful times... Nigerial is dealing with BH and Kenya is dealing with AS, both need to show solidarity with their armed forces defending the nation, and what better way to inspire your troops (other than funding them well) than wearing military regalia to inspire them. it also sends the messege that you mean bussiness and you are serious in taking care of bussiness

one quote from a former military

“It is appropriate for the Commander-in-Chief to wear the uniform since he is technically an honourable member of the armed forces,”

This happens in South Africa too, I remember Lindiwe Sisulu wearing a navy commander's uniform and i have seen numerous police minister's in Special Task Force uniform

denisfidha:
Ok, maybe I should have waited till the end of the day to post the highlights instead of posting as I get them

1st pic. Are those cowboy boots? or is there a military version

First time i have seen military fatigues with what appear to be Prada boots! Hope it catches on

frumentius:






https://www.africandefence.net/another-oryx-hit-by-small-arms-fire-in-the-drc/

PICS: An SAAF tradition after 1000 hours flying the Oryx.

The efforts of the Tanzanian and Malawian troops in the FIB are criminally under reported!

Henry240:
There literally tons of photos available from AAD 2016. It sure was the most photographed event in Africa this year.


Since we are all on the Zambian L-15, here are some more.

Awesome photos! Missed this display

frumentius:


Not quite. 16 of which at any given time 7 are full time at 2 Squadron; 2 at TFDC; 4 as instructors for the Hawk conversion course at 85 Combat Flying School; 2 conducting MOAT either at the Airspace C&C School at Hoedspruit or running air ops in Goma for the FIB.

PIC: Lt. Col Van Eck, one of the most experienced pilots flying Gripen globally - moved from Cheetah to Gripen and once converted, taught the Swedes air-to-air refuelling ! Rumour has it his retirement is sorted with a guaranteed seat as a test pilot at SAAB for the Gripen NG.

I see so there's pilots in Goma? Wow. Yes Saturday was my first time seeing the Gripen live and Lt col van Eck was one of the pilots. The 2 vs 1 was epic! Just wish it was once a year instead of every 2, was just so amazing seeing all the maneuvers. Everyone was really left in awe of the capabilities of particularly the Gripen and Rooivalk

ssaengine:


The SAAF visits us from time to time to give feedback on certain weapons systems, so i have an idea of how many Gripen pilots there are (both black and white). SANDF still has a culture (i think its a good thing) of adding a bit of misinformation when civilians ask certain questions at public events. True with a sprinkle of false.

Yes that is definitely a good thing they would't address any questions related to capability from what i picked up. In any case as a black South African i was really moved when i saw an older black man have a conversation with one of the pilots in Venda! Who would've thought, racially and culturally they have a very solid mix from what i saw over at 2 squadron.

ssaengine:
Just incase people start wondering if the SAAF actually has black pilots . Display pilots at events like AAD will obviously have the most experience, hence the guys who crossed over from flying Cheetahs (mostly white). But the behind the scenes/everyday pilot numbers fast jet/heli/transport are looking more like this....

There's definitely 5 or more black Gripen pilots from what i saw at AAD, however some may be reserves

Henry240:
SAAF Gripen, Hawk and Falcon pilots


All credits to Copyright owners

First two now have progressed to Gripen pilots, of which I'm told there are 10

frumentius:
Future Recces

CSIR had a soldier fulled kitted out in all the latest special forces gear right next to that vehicle demonstrator, there was no one around to ask. It seemed like something a Recce would wear, but i have never seen one kitted like that! Looked like SAS or Delta i.e very westernised and fancy

africaken254:
FSA was chasing them from a town called al rai,basically the FSA told them to get out because they were supporting the kurds. those are FSA who took those pictures even video as US special ops were leaving that town

read morehttp://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-us-fsa-threats-1094894190

Wish Hollywood would turn this into a film

MikeCZA:
Denel's new truck.

Positioning for the army's project to replace it's trucks.

I like it a lot and the fact that's local is a plus

andrewza:


Counter assault team is part of the VIP protections team. They there to act if the VIP is attacked.

We have TRT (police cluster level emergancy). NIU (national), Task force (things really bad) and HAWKS have there own tactical team to.

Department of Corrections also has a tactical unit now too called ESU

MikeCZA:
I like the new camouflage of the counter assault unit.

It's definitely an improvement on the previous uniform the normal SAPS one, but they look funny in an urban setting.

frumentius:


1) Correct on the 1st photo; deliberately included to further persuade @Henry240 as to the utility of RDRVs: when your president has to fly to a hot, kinetic and dicey situation in a dodgy capital with 48-hours notice, your SF has to deploy appropriately within that time-frame and with available airlift in mind. How you deploy requisite number of LAVs (Henry's preferred vehicle for SF) with Herc C-130s (still the standard airlift A/C for most militaries on our continent) at such short notice still eludes me.

We got 10 Hornets & trailers from 5Recce in various configurations (C4ISR, personnel carrier, MRL/mortar/AGL/20mm&12.7mm MG) in 48 hours into Burundi (talk about rapid deploment!) with almost 50 operators and ended up protecting and escorting from the airport to Bujumbura State House not only our president, but also those from Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Ethiopia under the auspices of the AU.

Same thing SASFB did in Monrovia, Liberia back in 2003 when those 2 giants of African diplomacy, Mbeki and Obasanjo, forced Charles Taylor to resign and go into exile;

2) Last I was at Denel, there were 2 Cheetahs there;

3) Your answer is not complete - its more than your "run-of-the-mill" CSIR pod. What is it and why is it so important?

Sounds like quite the logistical feat! All flossies or some private Ilyushins? Are these other nations comfortable outsourcing their security to SASF in that manner? Have PPU stopped their continental hubris of recent years? Was an incident in Ivory Coast where they transported pretty much the entire local convoy and had an overt dress code: police BDUs, R5s, UMPs etc. Was really embarrassing to watch and I know the SASFB are a different breed, but incidents like that dent our image continentally. Awesome photos btw. On the CSIR pod I don't know anything further, just saw it on a regular local defence commentator's feed. You're gonna have to help us out!

frumentius:
Air Capability Demo at the Roodewal weapons range tonight, and I'm not going !

P.S. 10 internets to whoever can tell me about the 2nd photo!

First photo is JZ in Burundi? Second is a CSIR pod being tested on a Denel Cheetah, btw how many Cheetahs does Denel have?

Henry240:
JAS-39 Gripen- South-Africa

This photo is bloody awesome, wonder how the managed it.

gottfried21:
SA Army in DRC

Top photo of what appear to be Recces?