Vessels participating in Ex Good Hope VI departed from Simon’s Town on Monday, March 9, and made their way toward the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town.
Various exercises were conducted en route to integrate all participating forces. The exercise started with the Harbour Phase in Simon’s Town which consisted of training familiarisation while alongside and social interaction of the participating ship’s companies. Crosspollination of personnel between the participating ships took place prior to leaving the harbour.
The vessels left the harbour in sequence with the South African submarine, SAS ‘MANTHATISI first, followed by the South African Frigate, SAS SPIOENKOP, FSG HESSEN and lastly FSG KARLSRUHE. The Super Lynx 300 MK 64 Helicopter joined the Task Force in the False Bay area and landed on the flight deck of SAS SPIOENKOP.
Also conducted were the Officer of the Watch (OOW) manoeuvres, with several serials being cancelled due to extreme sea and weather conditions. En route to Cape Town horbour the crews conducted crosspollination, simulated Air Defence Exercise (ADEX), flood and fire emergency procedures, 76 mm gunnery exercise and modern detection battle exercise.
The planned Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) and Special Forces parachute landing exercise was cancelled due to poor visibility.
The training period was concluded on March 12, when the Task Force entered Cape Town harbour.
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Image: SA Navy