page_title: 44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa)
section_title: Weaponry
hierarchical_section_title: 44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa) / Weaponry
caption_attribution_description: English: A Gecko 8x8 ATV in use by 44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa) during a mock battle at the 2011 AFB Waterkloof airshow
context_page_description: 44 Parachute Brigade was a parachute infantry brigade of the South African Army. It was founded on 20 April 1978, by Colonel Jan Breytenbach, following the disbandment of 1 SA Corps and the battle of Cassinga. Upon formation, the brigade was commanded by Brigadier M. J. du Plessis, who was assigned the task of establishing by working with the Parachute Staff Officer, Colonel Jan Breytenbach. At the time du Plessis was the commanding officer of the Orange Free State Command and had previous experience serving in 1 Parachute Battalion. Breytenbach had also been a member of 1 Parachute Battalion and had also founded the South African Special Forces Brigade and 32 Battalion. The location that was chosen for the brigade's headquarters was in the lines of the OFS Cmd Headquarters, next to the old Tempe Airfield in Bloemfontein.
  The brigade's units initially consisted of two Citizen Force units, 2 and 3 Parachute Battalions, that were manned by paratroopers who had completed their initial national service in 1 Parachute Battalion.
context_section_description: As an Airborne Brigade with various Sub-Units its support Weaponry also consisted of  81mm Mortar (Infantry) and various other standard and non-standard firearms.
caption: Gecko during a mock battle at AFB Waterkloof
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