OPERATION ZULU DAWN

Award of the SANDF Parachute Badge in 1998 was made by the Lieutenant Colonel Le Roux, Commanding Officer of the South African Airborne School, at Bloemfontein and Commanding Officer of the 44th Parachute Brigade. To the left is a photo of LTC Le Roux and *the Airborne School Sergeant Major,* Warrant Officer Kruger. The acting brigade commander made the award of the wings in 1999.

Refresher training was conducted at the airborne school, which is reported to be the largest indoor parachute training facility in the world.
Inside are sandpits, built up on the concrete floor, for PLFs from platforms and swing landing trainers. Suspended harnesses, mock doors, bleachers, briefing areas...they're all inside. And to top it off there are eight, yep, eight doors and cables on their 34 foot tower which is built into the back of the building.

As part of the refresher training, paras underwent an effective learning experience in this state-of-the-art facility. And, became well acquainted with the instructors who would later act as jumpmasters.

Pictured on the right is the official jump school certificate that was awarded.

Below is a group photo of the members of the 1998 jump tour with the 44 Para Brigade. The photo was taken at the main gate of the 44th Brigade Airborne Base and Parachute School at Bloemfontein.

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