AFB Hosts First Military Ball in Five Years

Kruger Park News Archive

More than 600 guests enjoyed the glitz and glamour of the first formal military ball in five years hosted by the Air Force Base Hoedspruit.

The overcast weather on August 19 may have been less than perfect for an airshow, but took nothing away from the entertaining displays by the helicopters of 19 Squadron, the stalwart Impala, soon to be retired, and the impressive cheetah, all the way from Makhado.

Dressed to the nines the couples entered 7ASU's hangar, which shed its concrete and steel jacket for an Out of Africa experience fit for the rain queen.

Brian von Emmenis, master of ceremonies, introduced entertainers Bronwyn and Eben Smuts after young Shangaan dancers and the Drakensig drum majorettes had the audience enthralled and Col du Toit, commanding officer of AFB Hoedspruit presented the activities and community outreach programme of the Base.

In between, guests feasted on the impeccably prepared seafood, cold meat and salad hors 'oeuvre, and waterblommetjie soup before they tucked into the buffet. The dessert table offered a selection of 11 delicious sweets. Brig Gagiano opened the dance floor, which paved the way for a function lasting until the early hours.

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