Ysterplaat Hosts Medal and Wings Parade
Date: 22 October 2011
By Dean Wingrin
A Medal and Reserve Force Wings Parade was held at AFB Ysterplaat this morning during which medals were awarded to 15 members. A further eleven members of 110 Squadron received their Reserve Force Wings.
The aim of the parade was to ceremoniously highlight and acknowledge the continuous good work and achievements of members on the base towards the country and the SAAF as well as to formally present civilian members of 110 Squadron with their airforce Wings.
One operational Medal for Southern Africa, three Medal for Good Service and Bar to the Medal for Good Service (40 years), one Good Serve Medal (Gold) and ten Medal for Good Service and Bar to the Medal for Good Service (30 years) were presented by the Revue Officer, Maj Gen JD Pelser (Director Force Development and Support). Pelser was acting as Revue Officer on behalf of the Chief of the Airforce, Lt Gen C Gagiano who could not attend.
Pelser noted that the history of honours and awards went back a long way, particularly in the military environment.
"Initially, most of these honours took the form of orders, they were usually bestowed in recognition of exception service and they conferred on the recipient the membership of one or other exclusive brotherhood and a distinctive status, such as Knighthood".
"However," Pelser continued, "the concept of the Order expanded with the passage of time and the medal emerged as the honour. The medal allowed a greater range of recipients to wear a wide spectrum of acknowledgments which could now be awarded to them".
African cultures also had numerous examples of recognition for bravery or commendable service, such assegais, interlocking beads and brass armbands. Pelser also mentioned that "the Airforce is well aware that exceptional achievement does not come without the same effort and much sacrifice on the part of our members and their families. The Airforce therefore make use of Parades ... not only to show its appreciation to its members for their contributions, but also to thank their families for the support which they undoubtedly gave."
Referencing the Reserve force members, Pelser mentioned the One Force concept on the SANDF and that the Airforce values and appreciates the citizen soldiers just as much as it appreciates its regular force components. "The Airforce Reserve is an integral and indispensable part of the Airforce, providing unique support needed by the regular force," he explained.
Of particular interest is that one of the Medal for Good Service and Bar to the Medal for Good Service (40 years) recipients, Lt Col MM du Toit, was current Chief of the Airforce, Lt Gen C Gagiano's flying instructor when he was a pupil pilot in 1968!
The main roles of 110 Squadron, based at AFB Ysterplaat, include VIP transport, coastal reconnaissance flights, command and control and telstar in crime prevention operations in co-operation with the police and Army.
