21 SAI sharpens jungle warfare skills for DRC deployment

Troops of the South African Army 21 Infantry Battalion (21 SAI) are undergoing a month-long jungle warfare training in Limpopo’s Entabeni State Forest, as part of it’s rotation for the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The training covered river crossings, map/GPS reading, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training, field craft, casualty evacuation, base protection, foot and vehicle patrols, fighting in built-up areas (FUBA) and helicopter drills.

21 SAI will be replacing 15 SAI in the DRC, and after their training, they’ll be handed over to Joint Operations for Mission Readiness Training (MRT) for deployment to the Area of Operations.

According to a SAsocial media post by SA National Defence Force (SANDF), second lieutenant Daniel Maluleke, jungle warfare training is “a prerequisite” for the MONUSCO deployment in the UN mission’s efforts to “bring durable change” to the strife-torn central African country.

The jungle warfare training is taking place close to Thohoyandou, because of it offers better access to ammunition, medical and rations.

Prior to jungle warfare training, 21 SAI had undergone command post and field training Exercise Phirima at the General De La Rey Training Area between May and June.

21 SAI was established on 1 January 1991 at Doornkop, Johannesburg.