MUCUSSO MILITARY CAMP NEWLY IDENTIFIED IN SOUTHERN ANGOLA (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 3, 2011
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: July 15, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/02/03 :CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/02/03 :CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/02/03: CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4
(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
Page 1 of ?
Copy
MUCUSSO MILITARY CAMP
NEWLY IDENTIFIED IN SOUTHERN ANGOLA
Z-15769/82
NPIC/IEG (7/82)
15 JULY 1982
1. (S/D) SIGNIFICANCE: ANEW MILITARY CAMP, PROBABLY SERVING AS A SUPPORT
BASE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN ASSISTANCE TO UNITA, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED NEAR THE
NAMIBIAN BORDER.
(S/D) REMAF.KS: MUCUSSO AILITARY CAMP, A LARGE L GISTICS AND SUPPORT
FACILITY, WAS NEWLY IDENTIFIED ON IA4AGERY ~ APpF.OXIMATELY 2 NM
NORTH OF THE NAMIBIA BORDER IN CUANDO CUBANGO PROVINCE IN SOUTHERN
ANGOLA. WHILE A Sb9ALL PROBABLE MILITARY CAMP HAS BEEN PRESENT JUST
NORTHWEST OF THE NEARBY MUCUSSO AIRFIELD ) SINCE AT LEAST
JUNE 1979, THIS NEW, LARGER CAMP HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED SINCE APRIL 1981.
TFIE CAMP, DISPERSED IN A FORESTID AREA, CONSISTS OF AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER
OF HUTS, TENTS, AND STORAGE BUILDINGS, A LARGE CLEARED AREA, AND A VEHICLE
PARKING AREA THAT CONTAINS AT LEAST 25 CARGO TRUCKS. THERE WERE NO
DISCERNIBLE DEFENSIVE MEASURES SUCH AS PERSONNEL TRENCEiES OR ANTIAIRCRAFT
SITES. EXTENSIVE VEHICLE TRACKAGE WAS PRESENT IN THE IMKEDIATE AREA OF
THE CAMP AND LEADING TO THE NAMIBIA BORDER. IPd ADDITION, A
NATURAL-SURFACED ROAD TI{AT 1XTENDS FROM THE BORDER TO THE MAIN EAST/WEST
HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN NAb~IIBIA, A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 10 NM, HAS BEEN
YdIDEPdED AND GRADED SINCE AUGUST 1981.
(S/D) CUANDO CUBANGO PROVINCE HAS BEEN THE TRADITIONAL STRONGffOLD OF
UNITA, AN INSURGENT GROUP THAT OPPOSES THE ANGOLAN (b1PLA) GOVERNAIDVT. THE
ONLY KNOYdN ANGOLAN/CUBAN PRESENCE IPv THIS PROVINCE IS LIMITED TO A FEW
GARRISON TOWNS SUCH AS MENONGUE AND CUITO CUANAVALE. THE PROXIMITY OF THE
NEW CAA4P TO THE NAMIBIA BORDER AND THE CORRESPONDING NEARBY ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS SUGGEST A PROBABLE SOUTH AFRICAN-UNITA CONNECTION. THE CAMP
I41AY SERVE AS A TRANSFER POINT/STORAGE AREA FOR EQUiPP~1ENT BEING FURNISHED
TO UNITA BY THE SOUTH AFRICANS. THE REb?IOTENESS OF THE CAMP FROD~1 ANGOLAN
AND CUBAN FORCES ALSO PROVIDES AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR THE TP.AINING OF
RECRUITS FOR THE UNITA MOVEMENT.
SECRET
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed ana-
lytical work. Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing boardls) they were prepared for
and must be considered valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
Intelligence Sources
and Methods Involved
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/02/03: CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4
25X1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/02/03 :CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4
SECRET
(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
Page 2 of 2
Copy
Attachment to Z-15769/82
NPIC/IEG (7/82)
15 JULY 1982
(S/D) THERE ARE TWO SOUTH AFRICAN MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN THE ADJACENT
WESTERN CAPRIVI REGION IN NORTHERN NAMIBIA. ONE INFANTRY COMPANY IS
HOUSED AT BAGANI MILITARY CAMP ON THE EASTERN BANK OF THE 25X1
OKAVANGO RIVER, APPROXIMATELY 10 NM SOUTHEAST OF THE NEW CAMP. A SECOND
INSTALLATION, THIPAPO MILITARY CAMP A/BN HQS WHICH IS 25X1
ALSO KNOWN AS BUFFALO BASE OR CAMP BUFFALO, IS APPROXIMATELY 17 NM
SOUTHEAST OF MUCUSSO. THIPAPO IS THE HOME BASF. FOR THE SOUTII AFRICAN
DEFENSE FORCE'S 32ND BATTALION, A COUNTEF.-INSURGENCY UNIT THAT IS
EXTENSIVELY USED IN CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS AGAINST SWAPO IN SOUTHERN
ANGOLA. 25X1
3. (S) COORDINATES 17-59-50S 021-.25-10E.
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed ana-
lytical work. Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for
and must be considered valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
Intelligence Sources
and Methods Involved
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/02/03 :CIA-RDP90T00784R000100280010-4