Gunship
25th Oct 2002, 08:53
News 24 (http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Gauteng/0,1113,2-7-829_1276024,00.html)
Pretoria - The British Army is currently conducting important biannual airborne exercises in South Africa, having moved the trials from the United States where they have been held for a number of years, the British High Commission in Pretoria said on Thursday.
The parachute exercises, that form part of a larger set of trials called Air Concentration Exercise (ACE) 02, were moved here because of South Africa's good weather, excellent facilities and uncongested airspace, said High Commission defence adviser Brigadier Mike Raworth.
British specialists would use the Test Flight Development Centre at Bredasdorp over the next two months to conduct parachute trials and training.
"I am delighted that these vital exercises are taking place in South Africa. The UK and South Africa have strong military ties, which this exercise will help to reinforce," Raworth said.
He said the SA National Defence Force had excellent facilities while the favourable weather would mean aircraft and personnel would be used most effectively.
"Exercising in South Africa was too good an opportunity to miss," he said.
This will be the first major British exercise to take place in South Africa for many years.
The British will conduct parachute trial drops from Royal Air Force (RAF) C-130K and C-130J aircraft.
The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team will carry out training at the same time. The trials and training will continue until December.
Later stages of ACE 02 will take place at Bloemfontein and Lohatla training ranges and will involve up to 250 people.
It is hoped that, subject to the success of this exercise, future exercises would take place in South Africa on a regular basis, Raworth said.
Pretoria - The British Army is currently conducting important biannual airborne exercises in South Africa, having moved the trials from the United States where they have been held for a number of years, the British High Commission in Pretoria said on Thursday.
The parachute exercises, that form part of a larger set of trials called Air Concentration Exercise (ACE) 02, were moved here because of South Africa's good weather, excellent facilities and uncongested airspace, said High Commission defence adviser Brigadier Mike Raworth.
British specialists would use the Test Flight Development Centre at Bredasdorp over the next two months to conduct parachute trials and training.
"I am delighted that these vital exercises are taking place in South Africa. The UK and South Africa have strong military ties, which this exercise will help to reinforce," Raworth said.
He said the SA National Defence Force had excellent facilities while the favourable weather would mean aircraft and personnel would be used most effectively.
"Exercising in South Africa was too good an opportunity to miss," he said.
This will be the first major British exercise to take place in South Africa for many years.
The British will conduct parachute trial drops from Royal Air Force (RAF) C-130K and C-130J aircraft.
The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team will carry out training at the same time. The trials and training will continue until December.
Later stages of ACE 02 will take place at Bloemfontein and Lohatla training ranges and will involve up to 250 people.
It is hoped that, subject to the success of this exercise, future exercises would take place in South Africa on a regular basis, Raworth said.