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14 November 2025
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SAAF and Mountain Club of SA join forces for search and rescue training
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The South African Air Force (SAAF) contributed an Oryx and A109 helicopter to mountain rescue training efforts with the Mountain Club of South Africa, Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) and SARZA Limpopo in October 2025. The Mountain Club of South Africa Search and Rescue (MSAR) Gauteng team spent time with partner organisations in the remote Wolkberg Mountains of Limpopo for a multi-disciplinary search and rescue scenario training session. “Our dedication to saving lives means constantly pushing our limits and honing our skills. This training focused on complex helicopter operations, as well as search planning and management,” the Mountain Club of South Africa said.
Skills practiced during the training were helicopter hoisting on various platforms (including Oryx and A109 helicopters); short-hauling (external transport of personnel); trooping (rapid deployment in mountainous terrain); ground and aerial search techniques (including deployment of canines and mixed search teams); search planning and command and control operations and wilderness survival in a rescue context.
The Mountain Club of South Africa said its philosophy is to “work as a team of teams” and were honoured to be joined by vital rescue partners in the South African Air Force’s 17 Squadron, GSAR, and SARZA Limpopo (SARZA is a volunteer search and rescue organization that makes use of 4×4 owners in South Africa to respond to people whose lives may be in danger).
“These joint exercises are invaluable. Not only do they allow us to practice technical skills in high-consequence environments, but they also build essential working alliances and seamless teamwork with the aircrews and other agencies. When a real emergency strikes, this synergy is what makes the difference,” the Mountain Club of South Africa said, thanking all participants for their commitment and professionalism.
The Mountain Club of South Africa regularly carries out training exercises with the SAAF. For instance, MSAR Gauteng in September honed helicopter-assisted rescue skills with the participation of 17 and 19 Squadron Oryx and A109 helicopters in the Drakensberg and in August a 17 Squadron Oryx carried out joint training in the Magaliesberg.
Source: Defence Web
Skills practiced during the training were helicopter hoisting on various platforms (including Oryx and A109 helicopters); short-hauling (external transport of personnel); trooping (rapid deployment in mountainous terrain); ground and aerial search techniques (including deployment of canines and mixed search teams); search planning and command and control operations and wilderness survival in a rescue context.
The Mountain Club of South Africa said its philosophy is to “work as a team of teams” and were honoured to be joined by vital rescue partners in the South African Air Force’s 17 Squadron, GSAR, and SARZA Limpopo (SARZA is a volunteer search and rescue organization that makes use of 4×4 owners in South Africa to respond to people whose lives may be in danger).
“These joint exercises are invaluable. Not only do they allow us to practice technical skills in high-consequence environments, but they also build essential working alliances and seamless teamwork with the aircrews and other agencies. When a real emergency strikes, this synergy is what makes the difference,” the Mountain Club of South Africa said, thanking all participants for their commitment and professionalism.
The Mountain Club of South Africa regularly carries out training exercises with the SAAF. For instance, MSAR Gauteng in September honed helicopter-assisted rescue skills with the participation of 17 and 19 Squadron Oryx and A109 helicopters in the Drakensberg and in August a 17 Squadron Oryx carried out joint training in the Magaliesberg.
Source: Defence Web