We were treated to an ongoing buzzing of up to 14 helicopters in the air ferrying in and out of the battlefield while two Rooivalk attack helicopters provided the fire support to the ground forces. The two Hercules aircraft also landed in tandem and off-loaded further firepower in the form of two mortar teams. The irregular forces were eventually overrun by the SANDF troops. All the time a Dakota overflew the area to provide the necessary air control for the many aircraft participating. This was a most entertaining event that used a large portion of the inner airfield.

The Grande Finale was a Hercules that appeared low from over the freeway and as they climbed to altitude discharged a spectacular number of anti infra red missile flares. This is the first public display of pyrotechnics from a SAAF Hercules.

All photos: C. Hugo. Photo manipulation: A. Dyason 

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