Great achievements celebrated at SAAF HQ Medal Parade

On 17 August 2005 the SAAF Headquarters Unit held their annual medal parade at the Air Force Gymnasium in Valhalla. Even though cloudy skies threatened the proceedings, the personnel on parade gave an outstanding display of military drill standards and the South African Air Force Band once again contributed to the prestige of this event.

A decision by the Chief of the Air Force in seeking uniformity between the Navy, Army, Air Force and SAMHS, has resulted in women’s drill movements achieving the same level of smartness as that of the men’s, with stamping of feet and the swinging of arms to shoulder height. In future women will also be drilling with weapons and will wear trousers which will make for overall neatness on parade.

Twenty-six medal recipients proudly stepped forward to receive decorations for their various accomplishments, including medals for 40 years of service and, for the first time in SAAF history, two medals for 50 years’ service were presented to Brig Gen N.L. Greyling and Col A. Bridgens.

Gen Greyling joined the Air Force and did his basic military training in 1955. Until he retired from the regular force at the age of 55, he was involved in numerous posts within the South African Air Force, including 20 years as an instructor at the Air Force Gymnasium. In 1994 he joined the Reserve Force and in 2003 he was appointed Director Air Force Reserves. Currently Gen Greyling is in the closing stages of his Air Force career since he expects to conclude his career and retire for good in October of 2006.

Col Bridgens’ military career began with his enlistment in the SAAF in January 1943 and his subsequent training as a fighter pilot. After his wartime service of three years and 45 days in the Sicilian, Italian and Greek theatres of war, where he flew Spitfires, Hurricanes and several other military types for the Royal Air Force, he became a founder member of the post World War II SAAF Active Citizen Force (now Air Force Reserve) in August 1947. Col Bridgens draws great enjoyment out of his AF career and says that he hopes to be around for as long as he can add value and make a positive contribution to the Air Force.

In his address the Review Officer, Maj Gen E.H. Dert, commended the recipients and their families for their diligent service, sustained effort, much self-denial and many sacrifices. He also emphasised the importance of the four Air Force values – integrity, human dignity, service before self and excellence in all we do - which is imbedded in, and built on, patriotism. “Those who choose to accept and behave according to these values are the ones who will achieve, and so earn the right to appear on parades such as this and there receive recognition by means of a medal,” he said.