7 Medical Battalion Group
7 Medical Battalion Group is the specialist Airborne Medical Unit of the South African Military Health Service. The Battalion's main task is to render medical support to the South African Airborne and Special Forces. The unit falls under the command of the Mobile Military Health Formation.
| 7 Medical Battalion Group | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Allegiance | Republic of South Africa |
| Branch | South African Military Health Service |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Airborne Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuation, Chemical and Biological Warfare, Emergency Medicine, Diving Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Close Protection |
| Garrison/HQ | Lyttelton, Centurion |
| Motto(s) | "Audacissimos Servamus" Serving the bravest "God above all" (unofficial) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col (Dr) Sithembiso Paul Chiliza |
| Notable commanders | Cmdt (Dr) Wouter Basson, Col (Dr) Chris J Blunden, Col William Mutlow, Col Kaizer Ngqukuvana, Col (Dr) Mcebisi Zukile Mdutywa |
Other specialties of the Battalion include Combat Search and Rescue, CBRNE detection, verification and decontamination, Diving and Aviation medicine and numerous other skills associated in supporting Special Forces.
Little is publicly known of this elite medical unit primarily because of its association with the South African Special Forces. The unit's founder Commandant Wouter Basson led the research on the SADF Chemical and Biological Warfare program.
Other tasks of the battalion include, but are not limited to, medical support to the South African Police Service Special Task Force and other elite units, the South African Air Force Combat Search and Rescue units and the Presidential Protection Services (particularly in the context of Joint VVIP Protection Operations).
The unit is on a general six-hour standby and is ready to deploy nationally and internationally. It also maintains a limited Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defence capability.