The South African Navy & Marine and Coastal Management: Tag Lynx

SA Navy Festival 2008 Pictures

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:14:00 +0000

Louis Vosloo has taken some pictures of the SA Navy Festival 2008.

German Navy Hamburg, currently on visit due to Exercise Good Hope III - Image: Louis Vosloo

German Navy Berlin, currently on visit due to Exercise Good Hope III - Image: Louis Vosloo

New submarine S102 in dry dock beside the decomissioned S98 - Image: Louis Vosloo

Exercise Good Hope III commences

admin — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:40:00 +0000

SAS Amatola receives the refuelling probe during a RAS between FGS Berlin & SAS Amatola - Image: SA Navy

25 February 2008 dawned a clear and sunny day in the naval harbour of Naval Base Simon’s Town. It is here that Task Group 501, comprising of South African and German Naval vessels commenced on EXERCISE GOOD HOPE III. EXERCISE GOOD HOPE III is a multinational exercise between the German Armed Forces (Navy and Air Force) and the SANDF (mainly the Navy and Air Force) taking place in the Cape Town, Simon’s Town and Overberg area.

Our day started at 0800B when the Officer Commanding (OC) Captain Michael Girsa, briefed his ships company on the flight deck. The OC welcomed all the new members that had joined the ship for the Exercise. He furthermore passed his appreciation to the ships company for a job well done in getting the ship ready to sail as scheduled. The OC spoke of the forthcoming days’ events and how only good habits would help through this exercise. After a meticulous final check, the naval tugs assisted helped this operationally ready warship out of port. SAS AMATOLA sailed at 0900B.

At 1145B, ‘hands to flying stations’ was piped. An Oryx Helicopter from AFB Ysterplaat landed on the flight deck while SAS AMATOLA sailed out of False Bay. SAS AMATOLA plays host to the Commander Task Group (CTG) 501.02 Captain Steven-Jennings and his staff. The Task Force is divided into two Task Groups, with Captain Michael Budde of the Federal German Navy as CTG 501.01 which comprises of FGS HAMBURG, FGS KÖLN, FGS BERLIN, FGS WESTERWALD and task group 501.02 comprising the SAS DRAKENSBERG, SAS ISLANDWANA, SAS AMATOLA, SAS GALESHEWE, SAS ISAAC DHYOBA, SAS UMKOMAAS.

Similar exercises have been conducted twice in the past, between the Armed Forces of the two countries. These exercises are the largest undertaken by the German Defence Force outside of its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) obligations. Good relationships exist between Germany and South Africa, not only on the military side but also politically and economically. The SAS AMATOLA is expecting to exercise drills and evolutions enabling training of the new personnel that have joined the ship in the art of modern naval warfare. It is expected that the crew will gain a lot of understanding and skills from this exercise. The task group will be alongside over the weekends with our first port of call being the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town for some much needed rest and recovery. Until then the five day passage will be filled exercises and training.

Source: www.navy.mil.za

Third Combined Military Exercise between SA and Germany: Exercise Good Hope III

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:50:00 +0000

From 18 February to 18 March the seas and skies surrounding Cape Town will be used to conduct military exercises between South Africa and Germany. This series of exercises will be called EXERCISE GOOD HOPE III.

This will be the third time that military exercises will be conducted in South African waters between the two countries, with the last exercise taking place two years ago. During this year's exercise there will be more than 1 800 personnel, 15 ships and 16 aircraft from both countries taking part.

The "theatre of operations" will be around Cape Town and some exercises will be conducted at the Overberg Military Test Area near Bredasdorp and Arniston/Waenhuiskrans. Some of the types of exercises will include live missile and gun firings, anti-submarine warfare with mock torpedo attacks, anti-aircraft drills, fleetwork and maneuvering and more.

The objectives that both countries want to achieve with these exercises are:

To enhance and maintain the comprehensive defence capabilities of the two armed forces.
To develop a common understanding of military interoperability and foster mutual trust, respect and co-operation between the German Armed Forces and the SANDF.
To upgrade operational means and methods of multi-national conventional forces by employing different types of equipment whilst conducting and exercising according to a common set of guiding principles.

The German Defence Force will be represented by two Frigates (FGS HAMBURG and FGS KÖLN) and two Combat Support Vessels (FGS BERLIN and FGS WESTERWALD), six Tornado Fighter Aircraft and two Lynx Helicopters. The SANDF will send three Frigates (SAS AMATOLA, SAS ISANDLWANA and SAS SPIOENKOP), one Submarine (SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE) two Strike Craft (SAS GALESHEWE and SAS ISAAC DYOBHA), two Minehunters (SAS UMZIMKULU and SAS UMKOMAAS), two Inshore Patrol Vessels (SAS TERN and SAS TOBIE) and the Combat Support Vessel SAS DRAKENSBERG. In addition to this there will also be six Cheetah Fighter Aircraft and two Oryx Helicopters.

The public of Cape Town will be invited to view the German vessels at the V&A Waterfront on Sat 01 Mar to Sun 02 Mar 08. Thereafter the public can view most of the SA Navy and German vessels during the annual Navy Festival from 14 -16 Mar 08 in Simon's Town.

Source: SA Navy

Super Lynx handed over

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:32:00 +0000

Naval Base Simonstown, Cape Town, saw the ceremonial handover today of the Super Lynx Mk 64 helicopters to the South African Air Force (SAAF) and South African Navy (SAN).

Super Lynx MK64 194 - Image: Dean Wingrin

The symbolic handover of the Super Lynx by the Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, to the Lt. Gen. Carlo Gagiano (Chief of the SAAF) and R Adm Moseou Magalefa (Acting Chief of the SAN) provided a significant boost to maritime and air defence capabilities. In his speech, Lekota emphasised the transformation undertaken in the Department of Defence towards jointness of operations. The naval frigate and airforce helicopter comprise a potent organic partnership. While the airforce was accountable for the helicopters, they will be totally and indivisibly integrated with the combat ships of the Navy.

Super Lynx MK64 193 - Image: Dean Wingrin

The Eagles Have Landed

admin — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:41:00 +0000

On Friday morning, the 13th of July 2007, the first two Super Lynx 300 Mk64 touched South African soil when they were unloaded from the Antonov An-124 freighter aircraft that delivered them to Cape Town International Airport. The nose of the aircraft opened to allow the unloading of the two Lynx helicopters, as well as a consignment of spares and ground support equipment.

Ready for Take-off on first flight in RSA - Image: SA Navy

The event was witnessed by Col Jakes Jacobs (representing Director Air Force Acquisition), Lt Col Rob Sproul (Project Officer Project MAULSTIC) and R Adm(JG) Kevin Watson (Project Director Project SITRON), amongst the eager group of participants at the airport.

First Two SAAF Lynx Arrive in South Africa

admin — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:29:00 +0000

It was a significant Friday the 13th July 2007 for 22 Squadron. On this day the squadron took delivery of its first two new Agusta-Westland Super Lynx Mk 64 naval helicopters.

Once operatoinal they will be deployed on the South African Navy's Valour- class frigates, although for practical reasons operated by the South African Air Force.

Both arrived at Cape Town International Airport aboard an Antonov AN 124 (RA-82043) the day before without any fanfare and were assembled there before being flown to their new base at Ysterplaat.

Lynx together with Oryx - Image: Louis Vosloo

Lynx 193 was first to depart and arrived at Ysterplaat at around 13h45 after an air-to-air photo sortie accompanied by two Oryxes and a single Allouette III, followed by 194 at around 17h00. Both were devoid of any of the visible sensors on the nose, so prominently evident on the SAAF examples displayed at International air shows recently.

Lynx - Image: Louis Vosloo

Both arrived at Yeovil in the UK prior to being loaded on to the Antonov 124, still wearing dual SAAF/RAF markings, the latter being ZK117 (193) and ZK 118 (194)

A further two (191 and 192, ex ZK115 and ZK116 respectively) are still to come. Tail number 192 was recently displayed at the Paris Air show, whilst the first example, 191, was extensively shown and flown at the Farnborough Air show last year.

Lynx - Image: Louis Vosloo

The 22 Squadron Alouette IIIs will be officially withdrawn from service at Ysterplaat Air Force Base on August 3, 2007. This will mark the end of the SAAF service for the Alouette III which served the SAAF since the early 1960s and is the last SAAF helicopter in service which saw action during the war in the Namibian and Angolan 'operational' area. After withrawal of the Alouette III, the Cessna 185 will be the last SAAF aircraft type left in service which saw service in this conflict.....the last SAAF warbird in service!

Source: airpic.co.za

Last two Super Lynx depart for South Africa

admin — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:06:00 +0000

The last two of four Super Lynx 300 Mk 64 maritime helicopters ordered by the SAAF left Yeovilton on 26 July at 13h30 aboard An-124-100 RA-82044 ('VDA 2681'). Aboard the aircraft were Lynx 191 and 192.

They should have arrived at Cape Town IAP on 27 July and then flown to AFB Ysterplaat.

First Pictures of New Lynx in Cape Town

admin — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:14:00 +0000

First pictures of the new SAAF Lynx after their arrival in Cape Town have been posted at avcom.co.za.

SAAF Lynx doing a fly-past the tower of Cape Town International Airport before routing to Ysterplaat - Image: Brent Best

Mixed emotions as Lynx choppers fly in

admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:02:00 +0000

There's a new type of military helicopter in South Africa: two Air Force Oryxes and an Alouette escorted the first of the South African Defence Force's Lynx machines from Cape Town International to the Ysterplaat Air Force Base at the weekend.

The two Lynxes were delivered from Agusta-Westland in the UK by a gigantic Antonov cargo aircraft.

Four have been ordered, and will primarily see duty on board the South African Navy's new frigates.

The helicopters, flying in formation, did a circuit around the Cape town city bowl on Friday before flying up the West Coast and then landing at Ysterplaat, where the base's staff gathered to witness the event. For helicopter buffs it was something of a bitter-sweet day.

There was great excitement as the new Lynxes flew into view, but it was one of the last times the Alouette III will be seen flying in our skies.

Ysterplaat's 22 Squadron is the only unit still operating the Alouette III. They will be withdrawn from service at a ceremony on August 3.

Source: Independent Online

First Super Lynx delivery delayed until July

admin — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:30:00 +0000

Although the first of the new Super Lynx aircraft was due to be delivered last week, the delivery has been delayed as formal acceptance is still awaited for one piece of equipment.

It is hoped that the aircraft will arrive in mid-July.

Source: SAAF Mailing List