of 60 Brigade HQ and administratively supported by the Army Battle School. During this time, C Army amended the organisation of the Battle School to execute two functions concurrently: first, continuing to administer the facility as a large training institution for reserves and full-time forces as it had been in the past; second, to provide the headquarters for a virtual Rapid Deployment Force (including 61 Mech), as part of its permanent order of battle. Operations after relocation 61 Mech was primarily involved in these operations. Operation Shobashobane Operation Intexo (1995) Operation Jumbo III (1996) Operation Vlakhaas (1995) Operation Sweepslag (1994) Operation Sombre (1994) Disbandment By 2005, 61 Mech was disbanded and its infantry elements merged into 8 South African Infantry Battalion at Upington after moving from Lohatla. The Armour and Artillery components were merged into other existing regular units of their respective corps. Organisation 61 Mech was organised along the following lines: two infantry companies, which were equipped with the Ratel-20 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, if necessary, a third infantry company was attached. On many occasions this was a company from 1 Parachute Battalion who were attached as a motorised company in Buffels an armoured car squadron initially equipped with Eland Armoured Cars. During 1980 the Elands were replaced by the Ratel-90 and later the Rooikat Armoured Fighting Vehicle, a support company consisting of an anti-tank platoon in Ratel-90s, an 81mm mortar platoon in Ratel-81s, an anti-aircraft troop and an artillery battery equipped with the G5 howitzer. Firepower was further augmented by the addition of the self-propelled version (G6 Rhino). In 1988 61 Mech also received the first combat-deployed squadron of Olifant MBTs, to counter the ever-escalating FAPLA tank threat 61 Mech was primarily tasked as the Army's Immediate Response Unit, due to its versatility. Equipment Armour Eland 60 Eland 90 Olifant MBT Armoured Personnel Carrier Buffel Casspir Artillery G2 G5 G6 Anti Aircraft Ystervark Personal Weapons R1 R4 R5 FN Mag 60mm patrol mortar RPG Fighting Vehicles Ratel 20 Ratel 60 Ratel 81 Ratel 90 Ratel Command Ratel ZT3 Logistics samil 10 lappiespomp Samil 20 Samil 50 Samil 100 Rinkhals ambulance Insignia Standard Dress Ops Badge 61 Mech awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties. The badge had a yellow backing and was awarded initially only for cross border operations into Angola. A