Lubango - A contingent of the Angola Air Force (FAN) made up of 77 military personnel and eight aircraft, left Thursday for Namibia to take part in the funeral ceremonies of the former President of Namibia, Hage Geingob, to take part on February 24 and 25.
The aircraft include six K8-W aircraft, an AW109 helicopter and an Il-76 strategic position aircraft, carrying out technical staff and aviation specialists operating on the ground.
Namibia has invited the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) to take part in the funeral ceremonies of the late President, a presence that includes flights of FAN aircraft blowing smoke in the colors of the Namibian flag.
The farewell ceremony of the Angolan military, in an operation called ORYX, took place on the plaque of the Southern Air Region's Fighter Air Regiment led by the commander of the National Air Force, General Virgínio Pinto.
Virgínio Pinto said the gesture serves to honor the good relations between the two countries, which date back several years, and aims to contribute to strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two states created during the common struggle for independence and the consolidation of regional security.
The commander considered the political and diplomatic relations between the two countries to be satisfactory, emphasizing that they fully meet the expectations of both peoples.
"In this regard, we would highlight the ease of communication between the two countries, since a significant number of Namibian leaders know Angola well and vice versa, which naturally keeps the way open for a vast universe of actions and exchanges between the two states," Pinto said.
Operation ORYX in Namibia is the first of its kind by the National Air Force outside Angola's borders, according to the commander of this branch of the Angolan Armed Forces.
The President of Namibia, Hage Geingob, died more than a fortnight ago at the age of 82 in the country's capital, Windhoek, from illness, and his funeral will take place this weekend. EM/MS/TED/AMP
