Exercise Golden Eagle
Date: 10 June 2002
Exercise Golden Eagle will take place over the period 31 May to 21 June 2002.This Exercise is the first since 1997, and it was decided that, in view of the current budgetary constraints, the exercise will be conducted jointly, utilising elements of the other services.
This exercise will also concentrate on mission specific training: conducting missions in a timeframed, compartmentalised way,exercising specific functions. The exercise will give the participants the opportunity to repeat the mission should it be necessary.The aim of the exercise is to determine the current operational capability of the SA Air Force in a joint environment.
The following objectives were formulated for the exercise:
To determine the current level of flying efficiency, and to evaluate the operational capability of each Systems Group.
To evaluate the logistical capability and support, and the evaluation of logistical capability and support.
Systems Group evaluation of own support.
To evaluate the inter - operability of equipment and operating procedures between the different services.
The following broad mission objectives have been formulated:
Air Defence Operations. Interceptions, Combat Air Patrols, Base Defence and Fighter Sweep sorties will be flown by 2 Squadron.
Offensive Air Operations. Strikes on AFB Louis Trichardt and other identified targets at the Roodewal Bombing Range will be flown by 85 Combat Flying School and 2 Squadron. Forward Air Control and Laser Designation will be practised by current members of the SA Army and Special Forces.
Aerial Combat Manoeuvre. Will take place to a level of two versus two (2v2).
Group and Inflight Command and Control (C&C) To test and evaluate joint C&C procedures between the Air Defence Co-ordination Centre/Army Ground Base Air Defence and to enhance Pilot Controller interaction.
Search and Rescue. S&R procedures will be practised Typical external and internal, maritime and pilot extraction exercises will take place
Helicopter Operations. Trooping, night flying (NVG), S&R, hot extractions, fast roping, cargo slinging and hoisting will be practised.
Air Transport Operations. Airborne Assault Operations (Air Landed) with 44 Para Bde, airborne equipment delivery by 101 Air Supply Unit and parachute training by Spec Forces will be practised. 41 Sqn will conduct night landings, visual recce and trooping.
Special Operations. Air Assault and special operations will be conducted by Special Forces Brigade in the AFB Louis Trichardt/Madimbo area. 4 SF Bde will conduct similar excercises , including landward exercises with 22 and 35 Sqn from AFB Ysterplaat in the Donkerhoek/Langebaanweg/Port Alfred area.
SAMHS Support. Casevac, deployment of the air - droppable surgical post, tandem paratrooping or airlanding of specialist staff evacuation procedures, patient administration of casualties and marking of Landing Zones of helicopter evacuation.
EW(Electronic Warfare) operation. Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) and Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) exercises will be conducted during this exercise.
These objectives will be achieved and missions accomplished through a series of exercises on land, at sea and in the air, using simulated scenarios.
The exercise will take place in two stages, namely a "Maritime Phase" (31 May to 14 June) and a "Counter Air Phase" (3 June to 21 June).
PARTICIPATING ELEMENTS
Chief Joint Operations, Air Force Command Post, Forward Air Command Post Cape Town, various Squadrons, 44 Parachute Brigade, Air Defence Artillery Formation, SA Navy, SAMHS, Special Forces and 101 Air Supply Unit. Exercise Golden Eagle will determine the capability of the SAAF in a joint environment and the success of the exercise depends on the participation of all services. This will also pave the way to better and closer co-operation between services and elements participating in future joint operations, exercise, and missions. By focusing on Mission Specific Training, force preparation can be more cost-effective and operationally viable.
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