WINDHOEK, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Air Force together with Southern African Development Community (SADC) Air Forces, Air Arms and Air Wings will conduct a military exercise code named 'Blue Kunene' in the northern parts of Namibia which will officially commence from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7.
Namibia Defence Ministry in a statement said the aim of the exercise is to sharpen the rapid deployment of the SADC Air Forces as part of the SADC Standby Force, for rapid deployment in case of humanitarian crises in the region and beyond.
Major Hendrik Swartbooi from Namibia Defence Ministry, Wednesday told Xinhua that Namibia's Defence Minster, Penda Ya Ndakolo will officiate the opening on Thursday at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.
Swartbooi said about ten member states with air assets and almost 1,000 military personnel are expected to participate in the exercise.
The exercise will be conducted in the Opuwo Rural, Epupa and Sesfontein constituencies with flight operations launched from the Hosea Kutako international Airport, Ondangwa airport and Ruacana airfield.
The ministry said a large number of different aircraft will be seen in the Oshana, Omusati, Kunene regions and members of the public have been urged not to panic at such sightings.
Furthermore the ministry cautioned the general aviators and tourist operators who will be flying in these areas to be on the look out for military aircraft, especially low flying helicopters as well as be patient as the airspace might be congested during the period of the exercise.
