SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE is home at last
S102 and S101 arriving in South Africa - Image: SA Navy
When SAS MANTHATISI arrived on 7 April 2006 she marked the beginning of a great voyage in the South African Navy that will further emphasise the mark the SA Navy has put on the global map.
The SA Navy welcomed its second submarine, SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE from Germany today in her homeport of Simon’s Town. S102 is the second of three submarines acquired by the South African Government as part of the Strategic Defence Package.
S102 in Simon's Town - Image: SA Navy
S102 - Image: SA Navy
On 26 April 2007, for some, the day started at 0600B when SAS MANTHATISI and SAS MENDI went out towards Cape Point to welcome and escort SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE home. The media were taken out to sea onboard SAS ISAAC DYOBA to witness yet another milestone in the South African Navy.
Various dignitaries including the Minister of Defence were on board SAS AMATOLA to witness S102 coming into the harbour. All the Navy ships in harbour welcomed SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE home with "three cheers" from their brows, as well as a resounding foghorn salute.
S102 - Image: SA Navy
Family members of S102 crew were reunited with their loved ones after months of separation. The sacrifice that both the crewmembers and their family made was recognised and applauded by the Minister.
In Commemoration of this day, each of the crewmembers received a bronze medallion, encased in an engraved wooden box. In his speech, the Minister referred to the crewmembers as being the Cream of the Crop.
C Navy welcoming the crew home - Image: SA Navy
Read more at: www.navy.mil.za
Trackbacks
Use the following link to trackback from your own site:
http://navy.org.za/articles/trackback/819
