Johannesburg — South Africa's rescue mission, comprising 82 members of the Air Force, Navy and the Military Health Service, began leaving Thursday afternoon for Mozambique.
The movement of the joint Task Force, under the command of Col. Hugh Paine, will be completed on Friday.
Two C130 planes with logistical support flew to Beira Monday to set up equipment needed by the rescue team. In addition, two BK117 helicopters and an Orynx helicopter have already left for Maputo.
"They left this afternoon (Thursday). Tomorrow (Friday) they will leave Maputo for Beira to join the rest of the rescue mission," Maj. Louis Kirsten said.
The South Africans will provide assistance and humanitarian support to the Mozambique Government in the flood ravaged Zambesia and Sofala provinces in Central parts of that country.
"Thus far it is not as bad as last year," Kirsten noted.
Reports from a reconnaissance unit indicated that the main task for the South Africans would be the distribution of food aid and humanitarian assistance to flood victims.
"This operation known as Operation Micron and the Task Force consist of two Oryx helicopters, two BK 117 helicopters, two Casa transport aircraft, a Cesna 208 fixed wing aircraft and a Cessna 185 skyshout fixed wing aircraft.
