In mid 1985, the Angolan government formulated an offensive called Operation Congresso II.

[1]: Chp11  Led by Soviet and Cuban military advisors this plan called for a simultaneous attack on Cazombo in the east and Mavinga in the south-east and to take one or both objectives by 3 September.

[2]: 214 Cazombo is situated in eastern Angola close to the border with Zambia was under UNITA control.

In response to FAPLA's advance to recapture the region and town, UNITA requested assistance from the SADF to move its soldiers from the south to the east using the SAAF.

[1]: Chp11 The operation would be reversed and the UNITA soldiers were flown back by the SAAF to assist in the defence of Mavinga and their headquarters at Jamba.