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  Johannes Oosthuizen (JP)

Pathfinder South Africa IC   http://pathfindersa.tripod.com

Johannes (or JP as he likes to be called) was born in South Africa and after completing his high school education in Johannesburg, was called up to do 2 years National Service, stationed at 5 South African Infantry Battalion (5 SAI) in Ladysmith, Natal.  Due to the Border war on the South West Africa / Namibia border with Angola, training consisted of 3 months basic training, 3 months conventional warfare training and 3 months counter insurgency operations, before being sent to the Operational area for the reminder of the 2 years.  During this period, JP applied for officer training in the South African Air Force and once successful, was transferred to the Air Traffic Control College in Pretoria and spent two years as a candidate officer in training.  He obtained his commission as a full lieutenant in 1982 and for the next 5 years served as an Air Traffic Controller in 8 different Air Force bases, working with trainee pilots at Central Flying School in Dunnottar, to the squadrons of Mirage jets based in the Northern Transvaal.  JP conducted 6 tours of operational service in South West Africa / Namibia, serving in Rooikop, Grootfontein, Rundu and Ondangua.  During this time he was awarded the Pro Patria medal for the prevention and suppression of terrorism and ended his service in 1988 with the rank of Captain.  
 
In civvy street, JP continued as a Civilian Air Traffic Controller at Johannesburg International Airport, during which time he also obtained his private pilots licence.  In 1998 he emigrated to the United Kingdom, settling in Bournemouth.  He joined the Dorset police as a police officer and is currently an operational custody sergeant based at Poole Police station.
 
His involvement with parachuting began with the 60th celebration of D-Day in Normandy in July 2004, when he assisted in the ground crew planning  as part of the South African Para team represented there.  In July 2004 he participated in the Estonian challenge organised by Pathfinder UK obtaining his Estonian parachute wings.  A few months later he attended the Dutch 'B' wing course, also arranged by Pathfinder, at Texel in Holland, where he obtained his Dutch wings.
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Copyright © 2006 Roy Mobsby. All Rights Reserved

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