1 South West African Reconnaissance Regiment (1 SWA RR) started out as a sub-unit under the command of the Commanding General SWATF in 1982, staffed mainly by ex-South African operators, but only formally established on 1 April 1984 when 32 Bn Recce Wing was disbanded by the 32 Bn OC Cmdt Eddie Viljoen. The Recce Wing members were given the option to return to 32 Bn's Buffalo base and be split up into the Companies or sign on to 1 SWA RR who took over the Omauni base. Most opted to join 1 SWA RR. The unit was made up of ex Reconnaissance commando members, some ex Rhodesian servicemen and ex 32 Bn Recce Wing members. The unit later moved its HQ to Omaruru a small mining town in central SWA and the HQ was at Kransberg mine which was a abandoned tungsten mine. The unit was disbanded and amalgamated with 1 SWA Parachute Battalion to become 2 SWA Spes Unit and relocated to Luiperdsvallei in Windhoek.