of instructions from Special Forces in demolitions, mine warfare and infantry training. The emphasis of this training being to transform the engineers from a support role to that of an attack role adding the versatility providing own defense during operations. In this way the Para-Sapper offers engineering support where required and the ability to deliver enhanced firepower. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit. Operations Operation "Reindeer" The 1st Para-Sappers that ever took part in a SADF airborne assault operation were during Operation Reindeer at Cassinga on 4 May 1978. Both were two Lieutenants from the regular force. Operation "Jabber" In 1986 the unit served and distinguished itself as a part of 54 Battalion, in Sector 10 as well as in Angola taking part in Operation Jabber. It operated independently during the 3-month stint as a mine hunting unit as well as lifting caches, sometimes going on long range mine hunting missions without traditional infantry protection. A contact was recorded between the Para Sappers and SWAPO during such a long range mission where their retaliatory mortar fire caused the enemy to flee. As a result of the units efforts, record mines and caches were lifted, more than any before and earned it the commendation (Floating Trophy) of Best Reserve Force Unit for 1986 within 44 Parachute Brigade. With the unit having distinguished itself the concept of upgrading it to a conventional engineer regiment was motivated by the commanding officer together with the assistance of the Brigade HQ, who embarked up long negotiations and proposals to the Director of Engineers of the S.A. Army who finally accepted. The process of approval and upgrading however was long and protracted with this only realizing many years after. Members of 44 Engineering Regiment also took part in several other operations: Operation Boulder − 1979/80 Operation Protea, Operation Mispel & Operation Daisy – 1981 Operation Smokeshell – 1980 Operation Fakkel, Operation Meebos, Operation Snoek and Operation Gepetto – 1982/83 Operation Super & Operation Askari – 1983/84 Operation Moduler, Operation Hooper and Operation Packer −1987/88 Exercises The squadron took active participation in the following major exercises : Iron Eagle 1 (1987), Iron Eagle 3 (1988), Strandloper (1988) and Vlakwater (1989). 44 Parachute Engineer Regiment (12 January 1990 – August 2019) The unit finally upgraded to an engineer regiment on