Operation Klipkop began at first light on the 30 July 1980 when South African Airborne Forces attacked the SWAPO/PLAN Logistics Base and other facilities in Southern Angola. The main objective being the SWAPO/PLAN Logistics Base just outside the town of Chitado, 3km from the Cut-Line and approximately 35km West of Ruacana, with the aim of disrupting mortar attacks on the Ruacana hydro-electric scheme.

Supported by Alouette III Helicopter Gunships and Puma Helicopters, 80 men from 1 Parachute Battalion were systematically dropped by helicopters close to the town in two waves. The first wave attacked the facilities and the second wave carried out the mopping up.

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