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| Regiment Vrystaat | |
|---|---|
 Regiment Vrystaat emblem | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Armoured Regiment |
| Part of | South African Armoured Corps Army Conventional Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Bloemfontein |
| Mottos | Libertas Virtus Fidelitas (Freedom; Power; Fealty) |
| Equipment | Eland 90armoured car |
| Battle honours |
|
| Commanders | |
| OC 1982 | Commandant J.J. van der Merwe |
| honorary Colonel (1982) | Judge M.T. Steyn |
| Insignia | |
| Beret Colour | Black |
| Armour Squadron emblems |  |
| Armour beret bar circa 1992 |  |
Regiment Vrystaat was anarmouredregiment of theSouth African Army. As a reserve unit, it had a status roughly equivalent to that of aBritishArmy Reserve or United StatesArmy National Guard unit. Formed from 2 Regiment President Steyn which had been formed in 1975, when 1Regiment President Steyn was converted to tanks and 2 Regiment President Steyn formed with armored cars. It was part of theSouth African Army Armour Formation.
Originally designated 2 Regiment President Steyn on 1 August 1975, Regiment Vrystaat was only formed the following year by the transfer of excess personnel fromRegiment President Steyn.[1] At the same time a decision was taken to redesignate the unit.
Regiment Vrystaat'sEland-90 armoured cars saw service during theSouth African Border War.
The regiment conducted its first border operations in 1976. The regiment was at that stage one of very few conventional armoured car regiments in South Africa and acted as backup reserve for South African forces leaving Angola in that period.
Regiment Vrystaat conducted further border duty in 1977 and 1978.[2]
The regiment supported Operations Hooper and Packer with 20 Ratel Drivers in 1988.
Regiment Vrystaat was assigned to73 Motorised Brigade of7 Division and then to9 Division by 1991.
By 2000, the two regiments re-amalgamated and became a single regiment once again.
Regiment Vrystaat retained the original colours of Regiment President Steyn which is old gold, white and black, but adopted the tree of freedom the Orange Free State as its unit badge.
| From | Officer Commanding | To |
| 1975 | Cmdt Jurie van der Merwe | c. nd |
| 1991 | Cmdt Andre de Beer | c. nd |
| From | Regimental Sergeant Major | To |
As an offshoot of Regiment President Steyn, Regiment Vrystaat was allowed to carry that units battle honours as well:
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