Exercise New Horizon VII

WO1 Johan du Preez, Sergeant Major of the Air Force Visited members on Ex New Horizon 7

During the recent Force Preparation Exercise, New Horizon 7, conducted by Directorate Command and Control and its Force Structure Elements I was afforded an opportunity to visit the members who were deployed over a vast area in the Northern Cape region. Traveling by road over a three-day period, accompanied by Command and Control Group Warrant Officer WO1 Nick Havenga, I started my visit at the “Tent Camp” at Vastrap.

Encouraging and heart warming was to experience the high morale and good sprite of all the members staying in the tents and living off “rat-packs” and conducting their respective duties 24 hours around the clock. The neatness of the camp and the discipline of the members is evidence of the members’ commitment in striving towards Air Power Excellence.

Not only was my visit a very informative and enlightening experience which I thoroughly enjoyed but the fact that our younger members have the knowledge and skills to operate these very sophisticated systems and the ability to make clear the modus operandi is heart warming.

The ability and perseverance of the members to take equipment weighing mega tons and place it in areas almost impossible for optimal utilisation is absolutely commendable.

To penetrate the “Rigtersveld” with a 4X4 is daunting enough, yet the members were able and capable after a few hours of hard work and focused effort to place the “Umlindi” radar and associated equipment on this dune.

The favorable reception and support of the farmers and local inhabitants to members deployed outside of the “TAB” and associated sites in support of the exercise to insure stability of communication links is encouraging. The members depicted in the picture below, were deployed alone for two weeks at one of the “repeater sites” near Pearson’s Hunt. The sympathetic local inhabitants insured that these members received liberal food supplies.

I extend my congratulations to all members that successfully participated in Ex New Horizon 7. Well done and thank you for affording me the opportunity to visit you.
WO1 Johan du Preez (Sergeant Major of the Air Force).