21 Motorised Infantry Brigade (Namibia)
21 Motorised Infantry Brigade[2] (pronounced as Two One Motorised Infantry Brigade) is a brigade of the Namibian Army based at Suiderhof, Windhoek. The prefix "21" is taken from 21 March 1990, Namibia's independence day. The brigade is responsible for the defence of the central areas of Namibia. Its subordinate units are situated in the Khomas. Apart from its Motorised battalions it also consists of a Mechanized Infantry Battalion. It also provides a ceremonial guard battalion for the Head of State.
21 Motorised Infantry Brigade | |
---|---|
Emblem of 21 Mot Inf Bde. | |
Country | |
Branch | |
Type | Motorised Infantry |
Size | Brigade |
Part of | Namibian Army |
Garrison/HQ | Suiderhof[1], Windhoek |
Colors | Blue,Yellow,Green |
Commanders | |
General Officer Commanding | Brigadier General Martin Shikomba |
Notable commanders | Victor Simunja |
Equipment
The Brigade uses the following equipment:
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Toyota Hilux
- Ural Trucks
- WZ-523 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier
Units
The standard Namibian Infantry Brigade consists of a brigade Headquarters, a transport company, logistics company and a medical company supporting three Infantry battalions and an artillery regiment. It also has a ceremonial guard battalion attached to it[3][3].
The following units are based at the brigade headquarters in Windhoek:
- 21 Ceremonial Guard Battalion[4][3]
- 211 Battalion[5]
- 212 Battalion[6]
- 213 Mechanized Infantry Battalion[7]
- 21 Artillery Regiment[8] (Otjiwarongo)
21 Ceremonial Guard Battalion
21 Ceremonial Guard Battalion is a guard of honour unit of the NDF. It was also responsible for protecting the President of Namibia till President Hifikepunye Pohamba stopped the practice. It has 500 members and is based in the capital where it performs public duties.[9] It uses Russian/German foot drill when marching, in part due to the country returning to the traditional goose step.[10] International leaders that have been honored by the battalion include Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Chair of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki.[11]
Leadership
From | General Officer Commanding | To |
Unknown date | Brigadier General Philipus Shikuma Kamati[12] | 19 July 2011 |
19 July 2011 | Brigadier General Erastus Kashopola | 25 July 2019 |
25 July 2019 | Brigadier General Martin Nangolo Shikomba[13] | Incubent |
References
- https://www.namibiansun.com/news/21-brigade-champions-crowned2019-11-18
- "Russia's 200th Motorized Infantry Brigade in the Donbass: The Hero of Russia". bellingcat. 21 June 2016.
- https://www.namibiansun.com/news/21-brigade-champions-crowned2019-11-18
- https://www.namibiansun.com/news/21-brigade-champions-crowned2019-11-18
- https://www.namibiansun.com/news/21-brigade-champions-crowned2019-11-18
- https://www.namibiansun.com/news/21-brigade-champions-crowned2019-11-18
- https://www.namibiansun.com/news/21-brigade-champions-crowned2019-11-18
- https://books.google.com/books?id=2BV5E85l8gwC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=21+Ceremonial+Guard+Battalion+namibia&source=bl&ots=fxidb_a30J&sig=ACfU3U36SnJu6-7myp6En6OL9R9TyVJ6_g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqpOmYi7znAhVIR60KHZJyC7cQ6AEwDHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=21%20Ceremonial%20Guard%20Battalion%20namibia&f=false
- NDF parade. Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 March 2016.
- https://www.mod.gov.na/au
- Ministry of Defence, M (September 2011). "Inauguration of 21 Inf Bde Commander". NDF Journal. 41: 4.
- http://www.mod.gov.na/21-bde-change-of-command