First deployment of Submarine Parachute Action Group during Exercise Oxide

The just completed naval Exercise Oxide off Maputo saw the first ever utilisation and deployment of the Special Forces submarine parachute action group (SPAG) jumping from a C-130 to ‘rescue’ the submarine SAS Queen Modjadji.

The South African Air Force (SAAF), SA Navy (SAN) and Special Forces (SF) all worked together in real-time to locate the submarine ‘in distress’ and launch a rescue operation.

Once the vessel was located, the special forces team parachuted from the C-130 at around 4 000 feet and landed around 50 metres from the submarine, with inflatable boats.

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