SAS MENDI DEPARTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

The SAS Mendi left the naval port of Rota at 13:00 on Thursday 2 September 2004. Although the entire ship's company enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of Spain and its people, there is only one place on earth where they would rather be... wonderful vibrant South Africa. The crews of the US Navy warships in the harbour showed much interest in the SAS Mendi as she left port. One had a sense of pride to be on board such a state-of-the-art warship as the SAS Mendi and realized that South Africa will be able to once again be unchallenged at sea.

Captain Packer and the Pilot of Naval Base Rota on the bridge wing of the SAS Mendi.	The fo'c's'le party preparing the ship for sea by taking down the jackstaff.
Lieutenant Commander Marcus Reuter, the operations officer and in charge of the fo'c's'le party, assisting his team.	Leading Seaman Mbanjwa, at the helm, awaiting steering commands.

MEET THE OFFICER COMMANDING SAS MENDI

Kevin Ernest Packer, born 13 August 1960, matriculated in 1978 from Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg. He joined the SA Navy in January 1980 and completed the officers course at SA Naval College in Gordon's Bay. After completing the Combat Officer Qualifying Course [Part 1] (COQ 1) at the Maritime Warfare School in Simon's Town, he served on the SAS President Pretorius, a Type 12 frigate.

He attended the SA Military Academy in Saldanha, where he obtained a B Mil (Natural Sciences) in December 1985. After this he was appointed as the course officer for the COQ 1 course. In 1986 he attended the Junior Staff and Warfare Course at the SA Naval Staff College in Muizenberg and the following year he attended the COQ 2 course. From February 1987 to December 1991 he was the operations officer onboard the SAS Tafelberg, a combat support ship.

In 1992 he was a divisional officer for midshipmen at the SA Naval College. He was then attached to the Argentinian Navy, on board the ARA Almirante Irizar. On his return to South Africa he received command of the SAS Fleur, a torpedo recovery vessel. He also qualified as a gunnery officer at the Strike Craft Training Centre in Durban.

On completion of the gunnery course, he was appointed as the operations officer on board the SAS Oswald Pirow (a strike craft) and from April 1996 to March 1999 he had command of the SAS PW Botha, renamed the "SAS Shaka" during his command.

In 1999 he attended the Naval Command and Staff Course at the SA Naval Staff College. On completion of the course he was appointed as the Directing Staff Operations at the college. He then had a two year appointment as the Senior Staff Officer Surface Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare at the Navy Office in Pretoria. On 15 June 2004 he received command (his third) as the Officer Commanding SAS Mendi (Meko A-200 patrol corvette).

Capt Packer enjoys golf, squash and hockey.

Captain Kevin Packer on the bridge od the SAS Mendi.

The ship's doctor, Lieutenant Colonel Kleinhans, observing the activities (with Cadiz in the background).

Going Home!