If you just caught a glimpse of droves of American soldiers roaming our streets you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re under attack.
If you just caught a glimpse of droves of American soldiers roaming our streets you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re under attack.
Approximately 700 US troops belonging to, amongst others, the 10th Mountain Division, which was instrumental in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, are in town.
But everyone can relax – they’re not here to harm anyone. They’ve come as part of a joint combined exercise with the South African Defence Force.
According to SA Navy Captain Jaco Theunissen, the exercises are meant to increase the ability of both forces to respond to humanitarian disasters and peace keeping/enforcing operations in the region.
Things started off on Wednesday 24 July in Port Elizabeth at Forest Hill, with an opening parade.
The South African Chief of Joint operations presided over the ceremony. The first exercise session took place yesterday near Alicedale, with a Tactical Road Movement exercise whereby a convoy was "attacked" by rebels.
Other Eastern Cape cities set to host exercises – including a tactical air landing operation, beach landing and air assault – are East London, King William’s Town, Bhisho and Bulembu.
Grahamstown is scheduled for a live firing exercise by RSA and US land forces next Thursday and Friday.
The US troops have brought experts in brigade operations, dismounted infantry tactics, airborne infantry tactics, civil affairs, medics and maritime amphibious assault.
This is the second exercise of this type involving the two countries, following bi-lateral Defence Force Committee discussions that started in 2009 and were approved by the Military Command Council in 2010.
