Bravo Zulu DISTEX Article by AB Kgosi Makhubela Photos by AB Shanton Claude Prins Enquiries: 021 787 4697

The South African Navy (SAN) once again demonstrated its capability, effectiveness and speedy response. On Thursday 23 August 2012 the SAN’s Operational Sea Training Team (OSTT) and the German Naval Sea Training Team simulated an exercise at SAS SIMONSBERG. The SAN had to render humanitarian & evacuation assistance to a small coastal community that had been hit by a militant guerrilla attack.

Maritime Reaction Sqaudron members keeping order amongst the protestors of the village

Scenario: SAS SPIOENKOP was simulated to be along the African coast on its regular patrols, the ship was recalled to stop the patrol and heed to the United Nations’ instruction to aid a grief stricken community. The frigate then anchored a few miles away from land and small boats were used by an Advanced Scouting Team to secure a landing and operational site ashore.

Members of the SA Navy and the SAMHS saving the lives some of the villagers.	One of the Villagers tried to steal SA Naval equipment and was caught red handed by the MRS members

The Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) secured a designated area to be utilised as the Head Quarters and signalled the ship’s company that it was safe to land. The medical team’s priority was achieved by identifying the injured, isolating the deceased and evacuating them, and by carefully prioritising South African citizens.

SA Navy fighting the fire in the village	SA Navy personnel stabilizing a patient bitten by a snake

Upon arrival, the ships company immediately identified a Media Liaison Officer (MLO) to interact with the persisting local and international media. The Executive Officer and (MLO) continually briefed the media as the situation developed. SAS SPIOENKOP’s ship’s company displayed professionalism when they refrained from media questions and kindly directed them to the designated MLO. Food and fresh water was served to the community. A chaplain interacted with all affected parties to render assistance to families of the deceased and injured. After an intensive struggle to get over to the barricaded passages, the outstanding effort from the ship’s medical team saw victims being freed from vehicles involved in accidents and vandalised by the guerrillas.

SA Navy saving lives	Vehicle been destroyed by the attack

The Navy’s objectives in this exercise were to save lives, stabilize and secure the area and evacuate as many people as possible. These were all successfully achieved.