Six months earlier, during Operation Bucksaw, it had been determined that there was a major SWAPO base some six kilometres north-west of Chana Golf. Aerial reconnaissance photographs of the base had been taken, and documents captured at Tofima during Seiljag 3 referred to a SWAPO regimental headquarters at Ohaipete, or Eheke. Interrogation of prisoners had confirmed that this was the main SWAPO base, which was given the SADF code-name Target 21.

Operation Kropduif (pouter pigeon) would take place in two phases, with attacks on Chana Tofima and Chana Nutalala before 24 October, to be followed by a combined 32 Battalion and Special Forces assault on Eheke. On 21 October, 12 rifle platoons and an 81-mm mortar group were transported from Omauni to Chana Nunda, between beacons 27 and 28. A tactical headquarters was set up at Elundu under command of Commandant Gert Nel, OC 32 Battalion, and Commandant J Kriel of the SAAF, who would be in charge of the helicopters used during the operation.

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