Engineer Regiment colloquially known as "The Sappers", is the Engineer arm of the Namibian Army based at Otavi. It is an independent regiment that functions as the Army's Engineer Corps and hosts all the engineer squadrons of the Army. It was founded in 1991 as the engineer company,[2] later it was upgraded into the Engineer regiment.[3]
Role
The regiment is a significant player in the government's de mining efforts as the northern part of the Country have been left with numerous unexploded ordnance (UXO) as a result of the South African Border War.[4] NDF sappers have been trained by the US government since 1995 in demining.[5]
Equipment
The Regiment uses the following Equipment:
- Toyota Hilux
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Wer'wolf MKII
- Bull Dozer
- Tipper Truck
- Water Bowser
- Grader
- Metal detector
Sub Units
- Headquarters Squadron
- Construction Engineer Squadron
- Combat Engineer Squadron
Training
Service personnel specializing in Engineering are trained at various institutions in the country including from the United States Department of Defence.[6][7]
Leadership
| From | Commanding Officer | To |
| 2016 | Colonel Tobias Nuuyoma | incumbent |
| From | Regimental Sergeant Major | To |
| 28 April | 28 April |
References
- ^ "NDF colonel and teacher granted bail - Crime - Namibian Sun". 11 July 2019.
- ^ http://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/EVOLUTCHAP8.PDF [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11427/9552/thesis_hum_1998_lamb_g.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Postwar landmines remain a concern".
- ^ https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2536&context=cisr-journal [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "US/Namibia clears more remnants of war | U.S. Embassy in Namibia". 9 July 2015.
- ^ "NDF members trained in explosive ordnance disposal - Namibia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 24 October 2019.