Before Namibian independence in 1990, whites, Coloureds and Basters in that disputed territory had the same compulsory military service as in South Africa, and they sometimes served in SADF units in Namibia. In August 1980, the SADF established SWATF to counter the growing South-West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) insurgency, which had been fighting for independence since the 1960s. SWATF included some SADF units and local recruits; its commander, an SADF general, was both South-West Africa secretary of defence and general officer commanding South African army forces in the territory.
Military Units
- SWATF General Headquarters
- Eight full-time battalions
- 31st Bushmen Battalion (became 201 Bn) HQ at Omega Base
- 33rd Eastern Caprivi Battalion (became 701 Battalion)
- 34th Kavangoland Battalion (202 Battalion)
- 35th Ovamboland Battalion (become 101 Battalion) The Quick reaction force.
- 36th Bushman Battalion (became 203 Battalion)
- 37th Kaokoland Battalion (became 102 Battalion)
- 41st Multi-ethnic Windhoek Battalion (became 911 Battalion) (As 911 Battalion - it became known as "Swing Force" due to its ability to operate as a conventional unit or as a COIN unit.
- 61 Mechanized Battalion
- Reaction Force Brigade - The reaction force had a motorized brigade composed of three infantry battalions, an armoured car regiment, and an artillery battalion.
- 911 Battalion, a swing force unit, once part of the reaction force brigade, trained to conduct both COIN and conventional operations.
- Logistics Brigade
- SWA Military School at Okahandja for officers and NCO's
- 1st SWA Specialist Unit at Otavi - contains trackers, dogs, horses and dirtbikes.
- 2 SAI Bn Gp at Walvis Bay, Rooikop base - containing
- 43rd Field Artillery Battery contains 12 x 140 mm G2 Guns and
- D Squadron (Armoured with - Eland 60mm. Eland 90 mm, Ratel 90 mmm and Ratel 20 mm.
- Other Field Artillery units were deployed in the Operational area ( Ruacana ) as well.
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