| 1968 |
Following international military trends, a requirement is
identified for a Special Forces capability within the South African Army.
Initial planning and formation occurs, including studies of and visits to
foreign Special Forces, formulation of appropriate structures and
techniques for an African context, and formation and training of a core
group of founder members. |
| 1972 |
Special Forces is formally established as an entity in
South Africa, with the establishment of the first Special Forces unit - 1
Reconnaissance Commando - in Oudtshoorn and thereafter moved to
Durban. |
| 1974 |
Special Forces Headquarters is established in Pretoria. In
1980 it moves into premises at Swartkop Park in Pretoria – since then
unofficially referred to as “Speskop”. |
| 1974 |
2 Reconnaissance Commando, the Special Forces Citizen Force
(Territorial Army) unit is established in Johannesburg. |
| 1976 |
5 Reconnaissance Commando of Special Forces is established
at Durban and Duku Duku in Natal , and moved to Phalaborwa in 1980. |
| 1976 |
Special Forces School is established in Durban , as part of
1 Reconnaissance Commando. |
| 1978 |
4 Reconnaissance Commando, the seaborne Special Forces
unit, is established in Langebaan. |
| 1980 |
3 Reconnaissance Commando – consisting of former Selous
Scouts – is established in Phalaborwa, and 6 Reconnaissance Commando –
consisting of former SAS – is established in Durban . Attempted
integration into the South African Military is largely unsuccessful. Both
units are disbanded in 1981, and the limited number of remaining personnel
from these are incorporated into the other Special Forces units. |
| 1981 |
The Special Forces Reconnaissance Commandos are
redesignated as Special Forces Reconnaissance Regiments, as follows:
- Special Forces Headquarters - Pretoria
- 1 Reconnaissance Regiment - Durban
- 4 Reconnaissance Regiment - Langebaan
- 5 Reconnaissance Regiment - Phalaborwa
The Special
Forces Citizen Force unit, 2 Reconnaissance Regiment, is also based in
Pretoria. During this period, the Special Forces Supply Unit is also
established to provide technical and logistical support to Special
Forces. |
| 1991 |
During the period of rationalisation, reorganisation and
integration from 1991 to 1995, the Special Forces Reconnaissance Regiments
undergo several names changes, firstly to Directorate Reconnaissance,
thereafter to 45 Parachute Brigade, and finally to Special Forces
Regiments. During this period, the Citizen Force 2 Reconnaissance Regiment
is retired due to rationalisation and the discontinuation of the Citizen
Force unit concept. During integration, all personnel from the
Reconnaissance Regiments and the former non-statutory organisations all
re-do the Special Forces Operators Training Cycle to ensure a consistent
standard throughout Special Forces. |
| 1995 |
The conclusion of the period of rationalisation,
reorganisation and integration results in the redesignation of the Special
Forces Reconnaissance Regiments as Special Forces Regiments, as follows:
–
- Special Forces Headquarters - Pretoria
- 1 Special Forces Regiment - Durban
- 4 Special Forces Regiment - Langebaan
- 5 Special Forces Regiment - Phalaborwa
|
| 1997 |
1 Special Forces Regiment is retired due to
rationalisation. Its personnel are incorporated into the other Special
Forces Regiments. Special Forces School is transferred to 5 Special Forces
Regiment. |
| 2002 |
Special Forces School is moved from 5 Special Forces
Regiment, and is established as an autonimous unit at Murrayhill, north of
Pretoria. |
| Today |
Special Forces consists of: –
- Special Forces Headquarters - Pretoria
- 4 Special Forces Regiment - Langebaan
- 5 Special Forces Regiment - Phalaborwa
- Special Forces School - Murrayhill
Retired Special
Forces personnel now form part of the Special Forces Reserve, and
they are dealt into the strengths of the various Special Forces Regiments
as and when required. The Special Forces Supply Unit is now based
at Walmansthal, North of Pretoria. |
