Ysterplaat Medal and Changing of Command Parade
Date: 20 November 2008
By Dean Wingrin
Under beautiful blue skies, AFB Ysterplaat today hosted a Medal and Change of Command Parade.
The aim of the Change of Command Parade was to officially acknowledge the acceptance of command of 80 Air Navigation School (80 ANS) by Lieutenant Colonel Andreis A Mouton. Lt. Col. Mouton was appointed as Officer Commanding 80 ANS on 5 August 2008. Lt. Col. Mouton, a qualified navigator, has a number of honours, including the Honoris Crux, Southern Cross and Military Merit medals.
The Medal Parade honoured members of the Base who had excelled in rendering service to the SA Air Force and the country. A total number of 110 medals were presented, which is a record in it's own right.
The parade was officiated by the Officer Commanding of the Base, Colonel J.C.J. Butler. This was Col. Butler's last parade as OC of AFB Ysterplaat as he is to move to AFHQ as Senior Officer EW in January 2009.
A flypast of a C-47TP Dakota, Oryx and Super Lynx opened the Parade, while Oryx 1235 and C-47TP Dakota 6887 formed the backdrop. The Army Band ably provided the musical accompaniment.
