The plan involved the use of South African Air Force helicopters flown from mobile helicopter administrative areas (HAA) with a SADF Tactical Headquarters deep in Angola and protected from possible People's Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) attacks by 61 Mechanised Battalion Group.

These helicopters would fly 32 Battalion and paratroopers from the HAA areas to SWAPO targets identified by reconnaissance teams deep in the Angolan bush and by signal and human intelligence.

By 18 July a further two companies and the headquarters of 61 Mech moved into Xangongo where combat readiness training was begun, practising for the forthcoming operation.

It was attacked firstly by Alouette gunships followed by an airdrop by helicopter of ground troops which killed around 18 PLAN soldiers but the base was found to have been evacuated.

At last 61 Mech had completed its combat readiness training around Xangongo and departed there on 27 July heading in the direction of Mongua hoping to confuse FAPLA and PLAN intelligence as to it final destination before disappearing off into the Angolan bush.

Finally after three days of pushing through the bush, 61 Mech met up with two companies of 32 Battalion by 30 July, 25 km east of Mupa.

1 August begun with the HAA being moved further north and a few days earlier aerial intelligence had discovered a base close by.

3 August began with the receipt of signal intelligence concerning FAPLA proposing to move a twenty-two vehicle logistics convoy from Techamutete to Cuvelai.

By 9 August a PLAN base was discovered north of the Mui River about 15 km to the west of the Cuvelai/Techamutete road by members of the 32 Battalion reconnaissance units.

On 9 August a Russian T34/85 Tank was being recovered from Xangongo by 10 Armoured Car Squadron as part of a broader deception strategy.

The recovery team was waiting to travel back to Ongiva when a radio signal came in placing them on standby as a result of the Puma that had been shot down at the Mui River.

[3] The SADF forces had captured or destroyed vast amounts of ammunition and stores and gathered vital intelligence data.