The SAAF Forum

14 February 2008

Media Release from Naval Base Simon's Town

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

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.

Anyone interrested in German Navy pics?

These were taken this morning at Simon's Town. The Hamburg is the largest warship in the German Navy.

F220 Hamburg


76mm Gun


Harpoon missile launchers


View from bridge, over the vertical anti-aircraft missile launchers at A1435 Westerwald and F211 Koln


Hamburg flight deck


F220 Hamburg


F211 Koln


A1411 Berlin


A1411 Berlin


For comparisson - F147 SAS Spioenkop

Dang...

I wish I could see those ships up-close.

_________________
[Sardine]
My Photos: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... .php?p=882
Blog: http://the-flying-fish.blogspot.com/, UPDATED on 13 August 2013

Good pics Dean - thanks!

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

2 Squadron will perform what could possibly be the last public formation flypast of the Cheetah on Saturday 1 March.

This will take place over the V&A Waterfront at 12h15.

As the flypast will be over the German Navy vessels here for Ex Good Hope III, there is the possibility of seeing Tornados too.

There was a practise run this afternoon, with a box of four Tornados followed by four Cheetahs. The tornados then came over a second time.

Apologies for the poor quality, the sun and my distance form the action was a cause of frustration.

Nice

They may be of poor quality, but it's better than nothing.

I'll probably be there tomorrow. Hopefully I can get a few decent shots.

Thanks Dean

_________________
[Sardine]
My Photos: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... .php?p=882
Blog: http://the-flying-fish.blogspot.com/, UPDATED on 13 August 2013

Thanks.

The time of 12h15 for Saturday is approximate. I've heard everything from 11h45 to 12h30.

The practice today was at exactly 15h00!

Thanks

I'll be there around 10:30-10:45, so I shouldn't miss anything. I just need to find a good point to get some photos.

Cheers.

_________________
[Sardine]
My Photos: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... .php?p=882
Blog: http://the-flying-fish.blogspot.com/, UPDATED on 13 August 2013

Hi Dean.

Have you got any pics from yesterday? Unfortunately I missed the first fly-past; I was on my way up to the bridge of our ship I also missed most of the Tornado's because my camera wouldn't turn on fast enough, but I got the back of them.

Chat later.

_________________
[Sardine]
My Photos: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... .php?p=882
Blog: http://the-flying-fish.blogspot.com/, UPDATED on 13 August 2013

Bridge of your ship?

Which ship do you serve on?

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

Hehe.

I don't serve on any ship; I'm only 16. I meant a South African ship. They had 3 German ships, along with one of our ships (that we bought from Germany).

Sorry about the confusion.

_________________
[Sardine]
My Photos: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... .php?p=882
Blog: http://the-flying-fish.blogspot.com/, UPDATED on 13 August 2013

Just returned about an hour ago from spending the day aboard the SAS Amatola, sailing with the three German vessels. Undertook Officer of the Watch exercises, Replenishment At Sea as well as being attacked by Tornados and Cheetahs. Was then flown by Oryx back to Ysterplaat.

As you can imagine, I took over 360 photos, so will take some time before posting a few here.

It's a hard life Dean!

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

It's really difficult to choose just a few photos and static shots just does not show what it feels like when under attack by Cheetahs and Tornados from multiple directions!

SAS Amatola leaving Table Bay Harbour


F220 Hamburg


F220 Hamburg


F211 Koln


A1411 Berlin with Oryx


Undergoing Repleishment at Sea excersices with the Berlin


Berlin and Koln behind the Amatola


Oryx approaching the Amatola


Oryx approaching the Amatola


Smokey Tornado approaching the Hamburg


Tornado


Cheetah


Cheetah


Tornado


Tornado


Tornado


The tornados were low!


Oryx approaching the deck


Oryx taking off


Flight back to Ysterplaat