The primary role of the Ordnance Services Corps is
the effective acquisition, receipt, storing, safekeeping, preservation, maintenance, accounting, distribution and disposal of clothing, accommodation, ammunition, vehicles, fuel and spares within the army.
The OSC also delivers specialised services to the army, which includes computer services, air supply and nature conservation.[2]
History
In the summer of 1962, three candidates were drafted as part of a plan that eventually determined air supply capability in the SADF. The three were Tom Moodie, P.A. Goosen, and C. van Heerden. They reported for national service on 3 January, 1963, as members of the 101 Air Supply Platoon (101 ASP) of the Active Citizen Force.[3]
The three draftees were assigned to the then ADK Afrikaans: Special Service Corps. Tom Moodie was selected to attend a candidate officer's course which began in April, at the Military Services School, and was commissioned as an assistant field cornet (AFC) (2nd lieutenant) on his successful completion of that course. He served as quartermaster at 16 K&T Company for the last three months of his training.
P.A. Goosen and C. van Heerden became NCOs of the 101 Air Supply Platoon and served out their national service as corporals in the same company, the 16 K&T, located at the Technical Service's Base at Lyttelton, Pretoria. Also in April 1963, a fourth member, serviceman L. Knobel, was drafted to the same unit.
National service drafts at that time occurred every three months; in the July intake three members were added to the unit and another two in September. The next year twelve members were added, so that by the end of 1964 the unit's strength stood at 21 members.
Towards the middle of 1967 the first draft of recruits for 102 Air Supply Platoon began.
Establishing 101 Air Supply Platoon
On 23 October 1963, Captain Jan Klopper sent AFC Moodie to Northern Transvaal Command, where he was informed by Cmdt. C. Spiller that a permanent commissioned post had been created by the SADF for his position, and that it had been awarded to him. (At that time a commission was temporary, ending with the nine-month national service period).[citation needed]
At this meeting AFC Moodie was informed that he was being appointed acting officer in command of 101 ASP; three personnel staff files were handed to him, his own and those of corporals Van Heerden and Goosen.
On his appointment, AFC Moodie was 19 years old, making him one of the youngest commanders in the history of the SADF at that time.[citation needed] On 23 April 1964, his appointment was made permanent, and he continued to hold it for 29 years until 1993, making him one of the longest incumbent unit OCs in the SADF.
In December 1964, the first unit camp was held at DiensvakskoolAfrikaans: service subject school with 16 members from 101 ASP.
Other permanent force personnel, skilled to a degree in air supply training, were Cmdt. Rasie van Vuuren, WO1 H Fresco, Lt. T Greef, Cmdt. Jackel, Sgt. J Grobler and Cmdt. V Hatting.
Initially training took place under the auspices of the "Corps–School Services", and later "KDK School". After 44 Parachute Brigade relocated from Bloemfontein to Pretoria, training was undertaken on a more intensive basis by the air supply wing of the brigade.
Practical air supply in the SADF has been ongoing for over 28 years, from the full spectrum of training, methods and methodology used in the Second World War (ejection platform, SEAK-pack on C47) to the most modern LHPLUS system applied on the C130.
Until the beginning of Operation Savannah, in 1975, the unit had participated in scheduled training camps where members were called up and trained over fixed periods. The last time the unit was called up with all members being present was the first 21 days of February 1975. Up until this period the unit had concluded 10 camps. Since February 1975, the unit has been deployed in a full-time operational capacity and training and training camps have taken place only on an ad hoc basis where certain elements of the unit were involved.
Operational utilization
The unit became operational beginning with Operation Savannah in November 1975. Initially, members were stationed at Air Force Base Waterkloof and AF bases for three-month periods to load and off-load C130s and C160s.
From the early 1980s, the emphasis shifted towards more technically valuable contributions to combat situations, such as the technique of tying heavy wooden platforms with steel cables and using modern pallets and the "LAPES" (low altitude platform extraction systems), which are still used. With a reduction in military operations, the unit was placed on an ad hoc basis, with activation for military exercises.
The 101 ASP is an important link in the supply chain to provision fighting units in the field and works closely with maintenance units. While neither a conventional supply and replenishment unit nor a typical maintenance unit, it does provide supplies and equipment by air transport on short notice.
UNIVAM III 1995 (via air supply, equipment to Angola)
Exercises
Thunder Chariot (c.1983)
Marion Island (post and fresh vegetables to
Department of Environmental Affairs)
Iron Eagle I, II and III
Sweepslag
Strandloper
Vlakwater
Sombre
Suiderkruis
Establishment of 101 Air Supply Company
By 1970 the 101 Air Supply Platoon had participated in six training camps while the 102 Air Supply Platoon from its inception in June 1967, had not, due to a decision to first bring the 101 to full strength.
At that time the 101 was stationed in Pretoria whilst 102 was at Port Elizabeth. The commander of 102 Air Supply Platoon was Lt. J. Morris.
During 1971, a joint training camp attended by both platoons took place at Lenz Military Base in Johannesburg, AFC Moodie assumed command on this occasion. In May 1972, the 101 and 102 ASP platoons were amalgamated as the 101 Air Supply Company with AFC Moodie commanding. As of this writing it retains this format, though a submission was made to elevate its status to the 101 Air Supply Unit; the matter is pending.
Subordination
Since the inception of the unit in 1963, the unit has been under the command of various headquarters:
Dec 1996–Apr 2008: South African Army Logistics Command
Apr 2008–date: 44 Parachute Brigade
Training
The unit was established with the aim of strengthening the conventional capability of the SADF. The unit is divided into four air supply platoons and one transport platoon with main responsibility and ability being air transport. Unit camps were mainly to train members of the unit in both air supply and air transport.
Since 1964, WO1 Ben Viljoen has been the instructor and has established, offered, and coordinated training and practice. However, no one from the permanent force side showed interest, read and researched to the degree that WO1 Ben Viljoen did.
This enthusiasm in air supply demonstrated by WO1 Ben Viljoen flourished under the encouragement of Brig A. Botes at HQ–level ensuring that the unit had its proper place, but also distribution within the SADF and rightfully deserved.
Of all the air supply personnel in South Africa, 95% at some stage underwent training at the hands of WO1 Ben Viljoen and WO1 Hans Fresco.[citation needed]
Full Wing Chrome and enamel Complete wing with parachute on red background
Leadership
101 Air Supply Leadership
From
Commanding Officers
To
1987
Cmdt B. van Vuuren
1988
1988
Cmdt J. Jackel
1990
1990
Cmdt J.V. Hattingh
1991
1991
Cmdt C. Grové
1993
1993
Cmdt F. Toerrien
1995
1995
Cmdt. J Loyd
2000
2000
Lt Col K K Mancotywa
2007
2007
Lt Col D D Mziki
2009
2009
Lt Col B H Morkel
2015
2015
Lt Col D.H. Tladi
present
From
Regimental Sergeants Major
To
1991
WO1 Schutte
1993
1993
WO1 Heilberg
1995
1995
WO1 J Teitge
2000
2000
MWO M Z Mdolo
present
Related Research Articles
The South African Special Forces Brigade, colloquially known as the Recces, is South Africa's principal Tier 1 special operations forces, specialising in various types of operations, including counter-insurgency, long-range-reconnaissance, unconventional-warfare, and hostage rescue. The brigade operates with two active-duty groups, with 4 Special Forces Regiment focusing on maritime operations, and 5 Special Forces Regiment focusing on land and airborne operations. Only about 8% of recruits who undergo South African special forces training pass the course.
In military organizations, a pathfinder is a specialized soldier inserted or dropped into place in order to set up and operate drop zones, pickup zones, and helicopter landing sites for airborne operations, air resupply operations, or other air operations in support of the ground unit commander. Pathfinders first appeared in World War II, and continue to serve an important role in today's modern armed forces, providing commanders with the option of flexibly employing air assets. There was a group of pilots who were also designated pathfinders. They flew C-47 (DC-3) aircraft and were the lead planes followed by paratroop transports, used for dropping paratroopers into designate drop zones such as on D-Day, the Normandy Invasion.
44 Parachute Regiment is the South African Army's chief airborne infantry unit. It was created in 2000 by redesignating 44 Parachute Brigade, and is based at the Tempe military base near Bloemfontein.
16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, known simply as 16 Air Assault Brigade from 1999 – 2021, is a formation of the British Army predominantly based in Colchester, Essex. It makes up the Air Assault Task Force, a battlegroup held at high readiness, and is the only brigade in the British Army focused on operating via parachute, helicopter and air-landing.
The Pathfinder Platoon is a pathfinder unit of the British Army, and an integral part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. The Pathfinder Platoon acts as the brigade's advance force and reconnaissance force. Its role includes locating and marking drop zones and helicopter landing zones for air landing operations. Once the main force has landed, the platoon provides tactical intelligence and offensive action roles for the brigade.
The South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) was an auxiliary arm of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and comprised the armed forces of South West Africa from 1977 to 1989. It emerged as a product of South Africa's political control of the territory which was granted to the former as a League of Nations mandate following World War I.
The South African Army Infantry Formation supervises all infantry within the South African Army.
Operation Prone was a proposed military operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and South West African Territorial Force (SWATF) during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War between May and September 1988. With the advance of the 50th Cuban Division towards Calueque and the South-West Africa border, the SADF formed the 10 SA Division to counter this threat. The plan for Operation Prone had two phases. Operation Linger was to be a counterinsurgency phase and Operation Pact a conventional phase.
562 Parachute Squadron Royal Corps of Transport (Volunteers) was a minor unit that supported 44th Parachute Brigade (V).
The Regimento de Paraquedistas, based in Tancos, Portugal, is a unit of the Portuguese Army and serves as the instruction center for recruitment and training of the Portuguese paratroopers. This unit includes an entire battalion, acting as support and reserve for airborne units which contains for example, military war dogs and airborne pathfinders and an instruction battalion responsible for the forming of new paratroopers.
This is the Operation Herrick ground order of battle, which lists any British ground forces that have taken part in the duration of Operation Herrick between 2002 and 2014.
7 Medical Battalion Group is the specialist Airborne Medical Unit of the South African Military Health Service. The Battalion's main task is to render medical support to the South African Airborne and Special Forces. The unit falls under the command of the Mobile Military Health Formation.
44 Parachute Brigade was a parachute infantry brigade of the South African Army. It was founded on 20 April 1978, by Colonel Jan Breytenbach, following the disbandment of 1 SA Corps and the battle of Cassinga. Upon formation, the brigade was commanded by Brigadier M. J. du Plessis, who was assigned the task of establishing by working with the Parachute Staff Officer, Colonel Jan Breytenbach. At the time du Plessis was the commanding officer of the Orange Free State Command and had previous experience serving in 1 Parachute Battalion. Breytenbach had also been a member of 1 Parachute Battalion and had also founded the South African Special Forces Brigade and 32 Battalion. The location that was chosen for the brigade's headquarters was in the lines of the OFS Cmd Headquarters, next to the old Tempe Airfield in Bloemfontein.
1 Parachute Battalion is the only full-time paratroop unit of the South African Army. It was founded on 1 April 1961, along with the Parachute Battalion. The name of this unit was changed to Parachute Training Centre after 1998. It was the first battalion within 44 Parachute Brigade until 1999 when the brigade was downsized to 44 Parachute Regiment
The Steve Biko Artillery Regiment is a airborne artillery regiment of the South African Artillery.
The 44 Pathfinder Platoon is part of the 44 Parachute Regiment. The pathfinder is a trained and specialized paratrooper, who performs covertly behind enemy lines, either in small groups or in collaboration with other reconnaissance units.
Hillcrest Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve. Hillcrest was a Commando from 1962 to 1983 and was the first English commando in Pretoria. Hillcrest was however a Regiment from 1983 to 2003.
81 Armoured Brigade was a Formation of 8th Armoured Division, a combined arms force consisting of armour, mechanised infantry, and mechanised artillery.
15 Reception Depot was an administrative unit of the Personnel Service Corps of the South African Army.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
South Africa 
South African Army 
