War games 'strengthening SA ties with Germany

admin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:27:00 +0000

"AIRCRAFT closing, starboard side," Lieutenant Ewald Engelbrecht shouted while standing in the doorway to the bridge of the SAS Amatola yesterday. He pointed at a Tornado fighter aircraft from the German Luftwaffe as it roared past the South African warship, marking its position for the officer who gives steering orders.

As a bridge watch keeper on the Amatola, Engelbrecht is primarily responsible for keeping an eye on a radar screen and making sure the SA Navy frigate stays clear of other ships in the area.

"I keep the anti-collision plot, but at the same time we're all responsible for our own lives," he said.

Spotting fighter jets closing in on the Amatola and two German warships wasn't a life-or-death matter yesterday. The incoming South African and German air force jets were taking part in combined naval exercises.

Officials invited journalists aboard the Amatola, one of the ships participating in the month-long Exercise Good Hope III yesterday, to watch.

Ships, fighter aircraft and helicopters from Germany's armed forces arrived in Simon's Town last month and are taking part in manoeuvres with South African naval and air personnel.

The combined forces have two weeks of missile firings, air defence exercises and war games ahead of them before leaders from the two navies sit down to discuss their forces' performance.

On board the Amatola yesterday morning, officials said the exercises were developed to test each country's combat readiness and foster co-operation. Dieter Haller, the German ambassador to South Africa, said that there was a great need for militaries to work alongside each other as part of international forces.

"The world is not one of peace, unfortunately. There is always a need for international peacekeeping missions. I think what we are seeing in these days is a very important step for South Africa and Germany." Haller also said the combined military exercises were symbolic of the larger partnership between the German and South African governments and economies. Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George said the exercises would ensure the armed forces were able to fulfil their constitutional mandate to protect the country, as well as provide humanitarian aid.

Source: Cape Times (via saairforce.co.za)

The South African Navy & Marine and Coastal Management: War games 'strengthening SA ties with Germany

War games 'strengthening SA ties with Germany