Owen Kock
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) last week conducted Operation Young Eagle as part of its preparation exercises in Lohatlha, the world's second largest military training ground situated in the Northern Cape.
Each year, soldiers learn valuable skills during force preparation exercises like Operation Young Eagle, which can be used in real combat situations. The media had the chance to get a glimpse of how preparations went. This year's operation did not take place without its share of glitches.
A soldier was injured during the operation, but he's believed to be fine after having been attended to at the training centre. A rope with a hook, used to hoist injured soldiers into helicopters on the battlefield, was not fully retracted when the helicopter took off after the rescue operation. It snagged the soldier and he was struck to the ground.
According to the chief of the SA Army, General Vusi Masondo, it was good that it had happened during the exercise and not while actually doing duty for the country. He was was satisfied that the soldier, who had only sustained minor bruises, was quickly attended to. Another soldier hurt his collarbone during the training build-up to the event.
A worrying factor, however, is the fact that the army is struggling to recruit young white males to join the SANDF.
Masondo said it's not a because of a lack of trying on their part. "We intend to go on a recruitment drive which will target young whites in order to make sure the SANDF is fully representative of the people of South Africa, giving it more credibility and ensuring the whole of the country's support.
"It's important that the people of the country realise the SANDF is a national asset which needs all the support it can get."
Masondo told reporters at the completion of Operation Young Eagle that they do not discriminate in the recruitment process.
owen@centralmediagroup.co.za
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