By early 1966, the South African authorities had become aware of SWAPO’s presence and two Alouette III helicopters were dispatched to the region to aid the detachment of South African police assigned to guard the border. Using an informer within the group of insurgents, the South Africans were able to pinpoint the location of the SWAPO guerillas to Ongulumbashe. To dislodge the guerillas, the South Africans devised Operation Blouwildebees, the first ever heliborne assault undertaken by the South African armed forces.
On the 26th of August 1966, seven Alouette III helicopters, each carrying a six man assault team, took off from Ruacana and flew north towards Ongulumbashe. The helicopters deposited the combined force of South African police and paratroops at pre-determined locations around the camp. A gun-battle ensued between the insurgents, entrenched around the camp, and the security forces. The South Africans quickly overpowered the insurgents at the camp, killing 1, wounding 1, and capturing 8. A short follow-up operation was then launched in which another insurgent was killed. At least 2 insurgents were known to have escaped the battle