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In-flight Refuelling during CRUZEX 2018

30 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 879 Views

One of the many missions trained during CRUZEX 2018 was the In-flight Refuelling, that guarantees the increase of fighter aicraft autonomy, an essential aspect in a combat scenario. To find out more about In-flight Refuelling during the operational exercise, watch the video.

Brazilian and Canadian paratrooper participate in certification ceremony

30 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 2488 Views

On this Thursday afternoon (29), a certification ceremony for Brazilian and Canadian paratroopers was realized during CRUZEX 2018. More than 100 militaries from the Brazilian Navy, Army and Air Force received honorary certificates from Canadian paratroopers for being participants in parachuting activities in aircrafts of that country. In the same ceremony, Canadian militaries received certificates honorary from Brazilian paratroopers for being participants in parachuting activities in aircrafts of the Brazilian Air Force. “This certificate exchange is a tradition and we started to think about it in the moment we knew that friendly nations would be participants in the Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise”, explained Colonel Davi Agnello de Araújo, from the Brazilian Army.
The Director of CRUZEX 2018, General Medeiros, and Chief of the Exercise Control Division, Colonel Antunes, participated in the ceremony, in which the present sang the the “Eternal Hero” song, a tribute to paratroopers.
During the event, an explanation of the certificate meaning was read: “The paratrooper badges are an example of high significance and common prestige in all military units that are able to execute a vertical involvement. They are alike in international levels because they have two unifying elements, the parachute and the silver wings. The honorary Brazilian parachutist certificate for militaries was created to strengthen the cooperation ties among the friendly nations armed forces, being fundamented in Article 87 of the General Rules for Air and Ground Actions, which predicts that the certificates of Brazilian military and honorary parachutist are given to the foreign military that executes at least one parachute jump from a flying Brazilian aircraft, in missions with Parachute Infantry Brigades. The article typifies a military paratrooper tradition to a global level”.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria

Photograph: Seargent Marcella Perez

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Information Technology supporting CRUZEX 2018

30 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1084 Views

During CRUZEX 2018, 45 militaries from the Information Technology Department (DTI) and Air Force Computation Center (CCA) were responsible for the services delivered to more than 2000 users. For that, 8 servers, 40 switches, 140 notebooks, 8 printers and 1 kilometer of optical fiber were used.
The chief of the Army IT group, Major Engineer Érico Asano de Mello, explains that two phisically segregated networks were assembled, one internally dedicated to CRUZEX network services and other specific to videoconferences and telephones with the operational area. “To assemble the videoconference network, there was a joint work between DTI and the Communication and Control Group to integrate the employed means in the local network with the communication equipments via satellite”, says the Major.

“The CRUZEX network, segregated from any other network, was used by national and foreign to manage the exercise information. The network had approximately 140 computers and services like operational emails, file server, print and Military Operation Systems”, adds Major Érico.
According to him, all the information generated during the exercise are stored in those means, creating a history for future trainings. To organize all this structure, 9 days were needed.

“To support the activities in the end of the exercise, high speed internet was made available for more than 2000 users in the operation, something innovative in military exercises”, says the Major.
To assure security, availability of all the employed systems, a cybernetic defense cell was activated, responsible for monitoring the work of each network user, alerting immediately in case of a behavior opposed to the security policy exercise information.

Find out more
Military Operations System is the central management information element of the exercise. It is through it that requests of management and support (all IT helpdesks requests and Facilities (food, transportation, accomodation), as well as operational area requests, like fuel, runway equipments, aircraft energy sources, among others).
Besides that, the website is also used to produce and make available operational reports, like flight safety, mission debriefing report, planning reports and metereology, for example.
Based on the inserted data, the system executes Business Intelligence routines, that is, collects, organizes and analyses the data and produces management reports that will help in commanders’ decision making and the improvement of future exercises. It is possible, for example, to see the complete mission background, identify the flight phase or the causes that generate more incidents or missions lack of success. In the logistic area, is also possible to generate statistics of helpdesk answers, fuel requests, breakdowns and runway equipments. Just in the IT helpdesk area and the Facility Center more than 1100 calls were answered.

Photograph : Soldado Simplício

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

World War II veteran visits CRUZEX

29 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 917 Views

On this Thursday morning (11/29), a group of elderly generally helped by the Air Force Social Service Center in Natal visited the area where CRUZEX 2018 takes place. Among the more than 20 elderly, retired militaries, was the military initiative Raimundo Nonato de Lima, who was at the Italy Campaign during World War II, as nurse assistant.

The military, 99 years old, has two sons that followed his steps in the Armed Forces. He remembers that the scenario found in the conflict by the Brazilian was of despair. “There was no quietness and, still, we couldn’t answer everyone. To some wounded, there was no solution: just a pain killing shot”, remembers him. About the visit, he said he was happy to return home. “I’ve come in other CRUZEX, but all of them had less planes. This one is a record”, says him.

Another retired military that participated in the visit was the Subofficer Raimundo Braz. At 80, he finished his masters on the participation of Brazil in the World War II. “I’ve always been interested by this subject because I came to FAB as aircraft mechanic and the first plane I’ve worked was the P-47 - aircraft operated by Brazil during the war”, said him.

According to the Social Service Chief, Lieutenant Camila Santiago, this group of retired militaries is accompanied in constant meetings, in which issues about life quality in elderly lives are brought to question. “These militaries miss a lot their military lives. Bringing them here during CRUZEX is a way of allowing them to live those memories again”, says she.

Text: Lieutenant Gabrielli

Photos: Sergeant Marcella

“Old Eagles” visit CRUZEX 2018

28 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1006 Views

On November 28th, took place the “Old Eagles” event, which is a way of recognizing the valuable service of officers that have worked in the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
The event started with a presentation about CRUZEX 2018, conducted by the Exercise Control Division director, Colonel Antunes, at the Center for Media and Visitors.

More than 50 militaries were received, among them were senior and general officers, retired from FAB. At the presentation, the structure and organization of the largest operational exercise in Latin America was shown.

After lunch, participants went to the historical exhibition Trampolim da Vitória, organized in Augusto Severo Airport, where materials about the history of Natal Air Base during the World War II can be found. There is also an exhibition of plastic models and Alberto Santos-Dumont historical photographs.

Lieutenant-General Burnier, one of the idealizers of the first CRUZEX, said that the there was an evolution since the first edition. “I was very happy with what has been shown in CRUZEX 2018 presentation. I idealized and participated in the first five Exercises and I could see the great evolution that has happened, including technological innovations in the FLIGHT model. We brought this idea from an exercise held in France. It is a pleasure to see the organization that is actually made”, pointed the general.
To the Exercise Director of CRUZEX 2018, General Luiz Guilherme Silveira de Medeiros, the “Old Eagles” is very important. “All these events are important because those who idealized this exercise, that is, the Air Force, owes to this people. We shown FAB's evolution and, mainly, the evolution of its values as an institution”, says the director.

Text: Lieutenant Roberto Mega
Photograph: Soldier Simplício

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Collection of materials at the airfield collaborates with flight security

28 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1592 Views

Aiming at helping to assure flight security during CRUZEX 2018, about 200 militaries performs, daily, a scan around the Ala 10. The search is for any kind of object that can damage the airplanes. “We collect anything that can be 'swallowed' by the aircraft, such as rests of materials like wires and screws”, exemplifies Lieutenant Bruno Dunhan, who was at the scan line this morning (27).

The job, known in the aviation as Foreign Object Damage, is one of the activities related to incident and accident prevention that occur not only during the operational exercise, as explains the Lieutenant-Colonel Fabio Baeta Freire, from the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Air Accidents (CENIPA).

The officer is participating in CRUZEX and points that, during the training, the scan area is divided in four parts and has the collaboration of all the participating squadron, to be more efficient. After collected, materials are taken to the Flight Safety Cell, where the militaries can evaluate them. “We analyse what has been collected - and in which areas - so that we can take the necessary actions. For example, if there is bigger incidence in one particular region, we will take actions like security alert and intensification of the local cleansing” says he.

The most important aspect, according to Flight Safety Cell, is the participation of everyone in the collection process. “Our goal in the exercise is to assure the increase of operational capacity and, for that, we need to have flight safety. The great amount of involved aircraft requires even closer attention to imminent risks”, complements Lieutenant-Colonel Baeta.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria

Photograph: Seargeant Bianca Viol

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Find out how the Maintenance work is important to CRUZEX 2018 missions

27 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 883 Views

In order to perform more than 1200 hours of flight predicted for CRUZEX 2018, aircraft and flight equipments have to be in conditions to fulfill the determined missions. In this aspect, the role played by the mechanic is fundamental: they are the responsible to assure the availability of the aerial means.
At the Fligth Equipment section, for example, militaries are responsible for upkeeping items like helmets, vests, masks and anti-gravity suits, and also survival kits and ejection seat parachutes.
The aircraft mechanics have to verify several aspects before each take-off and after each landing. “Even if there is no problem with the aircraft, we need to do the refuelling and restock the ammunition, so the maintenance work will always happen before and after the flight”, explains Sub-Officer Horlister. He is responsible for distributing the F-5M fighter aircraft for each flight, according to what is determined for the mission.

Watch the video and learn more about the aircraft maintenance job.

Go to FAB’s Flickr or the Download tab to check more images.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria
Photographs: Sergeants Johnson Barros, Marcella Perez and Carlos Eduardo

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

From the ground, controllers and pilots participate in CRUZEX 2018 real time combat flights

23 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 951 Views

Workcells organized in Recife (PE) perfoms the BVR combat control; the aircraft traffic control and the simulated armament employment validation during the exercise

Although CRUZEX 2018 Exercise happens Ala 10, in Natal (RN), an important composing structure is working at the Third Integrated Center for Air Defense and Air-traffic Control (CINDACTA III) in Recife (PE). To meet the training demands, workcells have been organized, where BVR (Beyond Vision Range) combat control, aircraft traffic control and the simulated armament employment validation are executed - the so-called Showtime.

According to him, in the moment the Check in/Check out cell leaves the aircraft at the initial point of the combat area, the responsible to take over is the BVR combat controllers group, which is also in action at CINDACTA III. “As the fighter pilot sees only what the radar allows, the ground controllers are an essential complement in combat, as they have access to the whole scenario and provide real time data and coordinates to the aircraft”, explains Lieutenant-Colonel Edson. One of the workcells activated for the exercise is the so-called Check in/Check out cells, where the flights are coordinated with the civilian traffic and the aircraft are put in sequence to landing - a very important activity, because of the high amount of air means involved in Composite Air Missions - about 60 at a time. This is the structure responsible for sending the aircraft to the combat locations. That is what says Lieutenant-Colonel Edson Luis Vieira Neto, Airspace Coordinator in CRUZEX 2018.

The Showtime activity happens in real every time there is a combat between fighter aircraft and simulated missile employment at CRUZEX. In these situations, a group formed by fighter pilots with expertise in BVR combat - the so-called Range Training Officers - tells the in-flight aircraft if they were put down. “Through the real time radar visualization and by knowing several employment parameters, we validate, in real time, the efficacy of missile launchings and inform the opponent pilot if he was put down”, explained Major Eduardo Gomes, from the Airspace Operation Center (COMAE), that is acting at the Showtime cell of CRUZEX 2018.

To increase the radar coverage during CRUZEX 2018 and provide more precise information to the workcells at CINDACTA III, the First Group of Communication and Control (1º GCC) in Brazilian Air Force provided infrastructure and radars to strategic points of the territory. Click here to know more.

Text: Lieutenant Gabrielli Dala Vechia

Photograph: Soldado Álvaro / CINDACTA III

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

CRUZEX 2018 opens to visitation

25 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1717 Views

On Friday (23), about 200 people visited Ala 10 to know the Brazilian Air Force military unit and follow the aircraft movement that happens during Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise – CRUZEX 2018.

Visiting hours are organized by shifts and groups of approximately 70 persons. The activity was coordinated by militaries, who, along the way, presented the Air Force, admission procedures and some aircraft partitions in CRUZEX.

In the morning, students, parents and teachers from the Children Learning Center (NAC), situated in Natal (RN), went to Ala 10. To one of the students mother, Beatriz Dias, the visitation was interesting because it brings experience. “I believe that it enriches children's knowledge. It's an unique experience that can get the interest and curiosity for the aviation area. I am extremely happy because I wanted to know the facilities”, said her.
The visitation got the kids to want to join the Brazilian Air Force, as Fernando HHenrique, 9 years old, says. “I am thinking about joining the Brazilian Air Force, my dream is to become a general. I have always found the aircraft models and the military training very interesting. I even have an almanac with all the Brazilian aircraft”, explains.
According to Lieutenant Roberto Mega Junior, from Ala 10, the training provides exchange of experiences among the Forces, as it gathers personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force, besides 12 countries. “Through this exercise, it possible to train a warrior rescue in opposing lands, for example, the air combat and in-flight refuelling simulation is possible. Hence, we gain confidence to operate in UN missions in the future”, highlights him.
Until next Thursday (29), Ala 10 expects to receive about 2000 people. Visitations have been previously scheduled through the exercise website and anyone who were interested could subscribe to it. The amount of visitors was decided taking into account attendance availability.

Know more about Ala 10, former Natal Air Base
Having more than 70 years of history, Ala 10 served as base to American troops during the Second World War period. Because of its fundamental importance to Allies victory, it was known as the “Victory Stepping Stone”. When the conflict ended, the Brazilian Air Force received the facilities, that were occupied by North-americans and, till this day, it is supporting other units and hosting several events, like Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise (CRUZEX).

Text: UNP University students: Aiça Gomes, Atarcilene Souza, Graciele Carvalho and Mac Millan
Photographs: Soldier Simplício

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Retention barriers guarantee fighter aircraft security

23 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1359 Views

To guarantee combat aircraft security of the Air Forces involved in the Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise - CRUZEX 2018, a team from the Park of Aeronautics Material in São Paulo (PAMA-SP), has installed a Retention Barrier, configured in cables, at the end of one of Ala 10 runways. In the beginning of November, the equipment was transported by an C-130 Hercules aircraft from Ala 2, from Anápolis (GO) to Natal (RN).

The Retention Barriers installed by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) are employed to support fighter aircraft operations and are thought to attend these aircraft speed needs. During CRUZEX 2018, combat aircraft like A-1, A-4, F-5M, F-16 and Mirage 2000 are in operation, and they can use those barriers if needed.

“If a combat aircraft is not able to reduce its speed in the available runway lenght in an aborted takeoff or landing, by its own means, the Retention Barrier is put into action. It is responsible to execute the aircraft safe stop in an emergency situation”, explains the Lieutenant Mechanical Engineer Danieal Buch.

“The installing and uninstalling of the barrier requires approximately six days of work, which can become more difficult because of the climactic conditions of working in the open field”, says Lieutenant Buch.

The installing in Ala 10, however, was performed in four days, because of the local metereology stability. “The fourth day was completely dedicated to a procedure called proofloading, in which a load of approximately 18.000 lbf (8.165 kgf) is applied in the strips, that are the components that connect the cables with the braking system”, explains the officer.

The cable is the interface between the aircraft in emergency and the Retention Barrier. The proofloading is employed to previously distend the strips, reducing the elastic effect. The procedure is also used to evaluate the breaking system and the installing accuracy. Installed in both sides of the runway, two modules weighing nine tons bear rollers that keep the 300 hundred-meters strip.

Subofficer Wanderley Eleutério, one of the responsibles for the barriers, tells that the system is verified in a daily basis to guarantee that is always in conditions to be used. “We check the cable tension, breaking and hydraulics systems, battery and nytrogen charges and the engines”. “Our team is the first to arrive and the last to go, because we need to leave the system ready to aircraft arrivals and we do not uninstall it until the last fighter takes off in the end of the exercise”.

Know more

The Retention Barriers are a combination of a breaking system and a engaging device, that can be a cable, a network or a combination of these two. The cable requires that the aircraft is equipped with a pulling hook which is connected to the cable when in action. The network allows the aircraft engagement with or without the pulling hook.

The Retention Barriers can also be classified regarding its installing mode, fixed or flexible, which are known as campaign Retention Barriers, that is the case of the one installed in CRUZEX. They require specific fundations to be installed and include systems that helps in mobility, allowing its transportation in different modals. These equipments are employed when there is a need of operating the combat aircraft in aerodromes without Retention Barriers. The installation is made by stakes in a specific configuration, which will depend on the ground and the way of using the equipment.

The fixed Retention Barriers are employed in FAB’s aerodromes where the squadrons that operate the F-5M and A-1 aircraft are localized. They are equipments that require an specific foundation and do not have mobility systems.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria

Photograph: Sergeant Johnson Barros

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

First Composite Air Operation in the exercise gathers 59 aircraft; see the video

22 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 2395 Views

The conventional war scenario is already in training in CRUZEX 2018. The first Composite Air Operation (COMAO), translated in Brazilian doctrine as Composite Air MIssion, put together 59 aircraft of different types of aviation, involving all the countries that participating in the exercise with aerial means.

The first Mission Commander, that is, the pilot responsible for planning and coordinating all the mission was Major Felipe Scheer, from the Poker Squadron (1º/10º GAV). He explains that the complexity of this kind of action is the need to align actions among distinct doctrines, that vary as the country and the kind of aircraft in operation varies. It also aims the fulfilment a common goal. He mentions the fact that each airplane has particular flight profiles, speeds and distinct performances, and all those aspects have to be put into consideration. “The responsability and complexity of a mission increase as the type and number of involved aircraft increase”, says him.

After receiving a document called Air Task Order, where are all the actions to be executed by each COMAO player, the Mission Commander has only 24h to coordinate and execute the first takeoff. During this period, two meetings are organized - the initial coordination meeting e the final coordination meeting, in addition to a briefing with all the involved crew, the so-called mass briefing.

In COMAO, dozens of aircraft takeoff in a short period of time to fulfill actions of complementary Air Forces, aiming at a common goal. To have a better idea, in the first CRUZEX 2018 COMAO, from 9h50 and 10h34, all the fighter aircraft took off - one at every three minutes. The airspace where the training takes place is also limited, increasing the complexity and creating the need of cleaning the roots.

In this scenario, the simulation of a country that executes offensive actions and a defensive action of another country take place. The defense group has been composed, in CRUZEX, by a number of four and eight fighters and one tanker. As important as the combat, is the coordination among dozens of aircraft with different profiles and specific doctrines, always putting flight safety as a priority.

In the first CRUZEX 2018 COMAO, all the countries participating in the exercise with aircraft - Canada, France, Chile, Uruguay, United States, Peru and Brazil - realized takeoffs. The A-1, A-29, A-4 and A-37 fighters executed strickers missions; the F-16, F-5 and Mirage executed air defense missions; the E-99 realized in-flight control and alarm and air communication; the KC-130 e KC-135 tankers executed air to air refuelling; the cargo aircraft, C-130, CC-130J, C-105 and C-235, realized airlifts, in this case, airdrop. The A-1 aircraft, equipped with a reconnaissance pod, also executed an tactical air reconnaissance, to analyse the damages caused by the strikers.

Watch the video:

Text: Lieutenant Gabrielli Dala Vechia
Photograph: Seargents Johnson Barros e Bianca Viol

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Brazilian and Chilean authorities participate in the activities of CRUZEX 2018

21 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 991 Views

On this Tuesday and Wednesday (20 and 21), Brazilian and Chilean authorities have been in Ala 10, Natal (RN), oto follow the activities of Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise - CRUZEX 2018.
On Tuesday, the Defense Minister, Joaquim Silva e Luna, met the Air Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Nivaldo Luiz Rossato and the Preparation Commander (COMPREP), Lieutenant-General Antonio Carlos Egito do Amaral, in the training area. Check the video about the visit of Brazilian authorities and the flight of the Defense Minister in a fighter aircraft.

The Director of the Exercise, General Luiz Guilherme Silveira de Medeiros, presented an overview of the training to Brazilian and Chilean authorities, on this Wednesday.
The Chilean Defense Minister, Alberto Espina, and the Chilean Air Force Commander, General Arturo Bernardo Merino Núñez, followed by other delegation members, received information about previous editions of the exercise, its participants, goals and timeline.

General Medeiros emphasiezed the Chilean Air Force participation in the Exercise in previous years. He also talked about the participation of the Brazilian Army and Navy for the first time in the training. The officer highlighted another innovation: actions involving unconventional war, that is, an Armed Forces combat against insurgent or paramilitary forces and not between two constituted States. This is the kind of scenario found in UN peacekeeping missions. After the presentation, the authorities visited the Exercise facilities and followed some of the activities executed by the militaries from the 13 participating countries.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria
Photograph: Seargent Marcella Perez

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Check the video and see CRUZEX 2018 media flight

21 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 631 Views

On this Tuesday (20), CRUZEX 2018 realized a media flight dedicated to communication professionals for image capture. Check the video and see how the activity involving seven fighter aircraft in formation went.

Watch the video.

See the photos of seven fighter aircraft in formation flying during the media flight

21 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1228 Views

Check how the flight of seven aircraft went during the exercise

On this Tuesday (20), CRUZEX 2018 realized a media flight - a special flight dedicated to communication professionals to capture images. On board of a C-105 Amazonas and a H-36 Caracal helicopter, about 40 photographers and cameramen were able to capture images of the airfield of Ala 10 and of a squadron formed by seven fighters.

The fighter aircraft are participating in the exercise. The formation was composed by one A-1M, one F-5M e one A-4, all Brazilian aircraft; two F-16 - one from Chile and one from the United States; one Uruguayan A-37 and one Peruvian Mirage 2000.

Check the photographs by Seargents Johnson Barros and Bianca Viol:

Partnership between Potiguar University and Brazilian Air Force enables internship in the exercise

20 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 647 Views

Undergraduate students of Journalism, Audiovisual Production and Publicity and Advertising will realize an internship in CRUZEX 2018

The Brazilian Air Force has partnered with the Potiguar University, in Natal (RN), to enable an internship of Social Communication students during CRUZEX 2018. During the training, thirteen university students of Journalism, Audiovisual Production and Publicity and Advertising will help with content production, such as news, articles, infographics, videos and podcasts, during the exercise coverage. The students will be supported by the Air Force Social Communications Center (CECOMSAER), the unit responsible for managing the communication processes, that has assembled a work cell to meet the demands of CRUZEX.

According to Thiago Garcia, the professor responsible for the interns, the students were chosen in line with theirs interests, profiles and aptitudes. For him, the partnership promotes the integrated growth of the students, both theoretically and practically. The professor explains that the contact with the labour market enables the intern to develop characteristics, abilities and competences related to their growth as citizens and ethical professionals. “I believe that they will develop relationship capacities with the managers of each sector in CRUZEX, which is an operation composed by processes, hierarchy, flows and systems, in addition to resilience, as the exercise characteristics impose”, says the professor.

One of the interns, Ana Aica Gomes da Costa, student in the fourth year of Journalism, tells that the invitation has aroused great interest in the group. It is an extremely new experience, a great chance of enrichment and professional growth. My expectation is that I can engage with dedication and learn everything I can about Journalism”, says the student, 19-year old.

According to Colonel Rodrigo Fontes, from CECOMSAER, the unit responsible for the partnership, this is not the first time that CRUZEX uses students of Social Communications. For him, it is an important opportunity of exchanging knowledge and of learning with real situations in an operational exercise of this proportion. “The training not only involves a big aerial effort with more than one hundred aircraft – thirty of them belongs to foreign countries -, it also involves several initiatives in the Communication area, in which there are more than 150 participating press professionals. In addition to this, there is the necessity of content production to be released in different platforms. For the interns and us, it is a great growth opportunity”, says him.

Texto: Lieutenant Tenente Gabrielli Dala Vechia

Photography: Seargents Bianca Viol e Marcela Perez

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

FAB organizes press conference during CRUZEX 2018

19 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 635 Views

About 100 press professionals and aviation specialized media participated in a press conference about the Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise - CRUZEX 2018 - this Monday (19). The Director of the exercise, General Luiz Guilherme, presented the main aspects of the training e answered to the questions, accompanied by representatives of seven countries.

The Brazilian general talked about the goals, the structure and the schedule of CRUZEX. “The main goal is to improve interoperability, both with the Brazilian Army and Navy and also with foreign forces. That is why we need to train our combat equipments, that is, the personnel in ground and in flight”, highlights him.

The representative of the Chilean Air Force, Major-General Leonardo Romanini Gutiérrez, emphasized that the joint action among the countries is already constant. “There is a permanent cooperation among us, through the Cooperation System among American Airlines Forces. This Exercise serves as a training to improve interoperability in real situations”, says him.

For the Canadian militaries, knowing and working with other countries is important in the case of a a joint action necessity. “Our governments understand that it is important to create professional and personal ties so that we are able to work better together, if it's necessary”, comments Major Eric Willrich.

The Commander of Ala 149, American unit participating in the Exercise, Colonel Raul Rosario, thanked the support of the Brazilian Air Force since the planning of CRUZEX 2018 e also talked about the training goals. “The main goal is to operate together, like equals. Doing that in a safe way and increasing our level of preparation and readiness", says.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria

Photography: Seargent Bianca Viol

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

CRUZEX - Exercise begins with familiarization and training flights

19 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 914 Views

The first FAM-FIT takeoffs have already started in CRUZEX 2018

CRUZEX 2018 FAM-FIT flights started this morning (19). The initials FAM-FIT stand for Familiarization Flight (FAM) and Forces Integration Training (FIT). This initial phase is fundamental to the execution of the main scenarios of regular warfare, which will be trained with the Composite Air Operations (COMAO), and irregular warfare.

“The first two days of exercise are dedicated to the pilots that do not operate in Natal, including Brazilians. The goal is to adapt the pilots to the aerodrome and the region”, says the Chief of the Control Division of CRUZEX, Colonel Francisco Bento Antunes Neto.

FIT flights are a preparation to COMAO - also known as package flight, in which several aircraft (around 50), of different kinds, takeoff in sequence to execute actions that aim a main goal, in a limited space and time. In this kind of flights, there is a division of what is done in a integrated way in COMAO. Fighter and transport aircraft, for example, execute their mission isolatedly, so that they are ready to act together in the package flights, which begin next Wednesday (20)

While FAM flights only happens in the first two days, FIT flights follow the exercise and will be performed during the afternoon.

The first FAM flight was executed by Jambock Squadron (10 GAVCA), which operates Brazilian F-5M, together with the Chilean F-16. According to Major Mighel, from Jambock Squadron, there were two fighters from each country, executing a navigation flight in a pre-planned circuit. “These flights are important to familiarize Brazilian and foreign pilots with ground procedures, communication frequencies, takeoff and landing procedures, operation characteristics in the region and the exercise scenario”, says Major Miguel.

Text: Lieutenant Gabrielli Dala Vechia

Photography: Sargento Bianca Viol

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

CRUZEX 2018 begins this Sunday (18) in Natal (RN)

19 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea 1731 Views

The training gathers 13 countries and will happen until November, 30th

The opening of Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise - CRUZEX 2018 - happened this Sunday (18), with a general briefing and the official photo, that gathered almost 2000 Brazilian and foreign militaries and some of the aerial means that will participate in the Exercise organized by the Brazilian Air Force.

The Exercise Director, General Luiz Guilherme Silveira de Medeiros, emphasizes that the priority is to keep the operational security. The general also highlights the importance of exchanging experiences. “To achieve an adequate level of training, this exchange of experiences is essential. CRUZEX is also important because of the interoperability: the Army and the Navy will participate in this edition, including the unconventional war scenario, which is one of the main innovations in this edition”, says him.

The unconventional war scenario, mentioned by the Director, refers to a combat in the Armed Forces that is against insurgent or paramilitary powers and not against two constituted States. This is the kind of scenario found in the UN peacekeeping missions.

CRUZEX is a multinational operational exercise held by the Brazilian Air Force since 2002. It aims the joint training of conflict scenarios, promoting exchange of experiences between the participating countries.

This year's edition will happen in Ala 10, in Natal (RN), from November 18th and November 30th, and will gather 13 countries, including Brazil. It also will put together 2000 military personnel and 100 Brazilian and foreign aircraft. It is the largest joint multinational exercise promoted by the Brazilian Air Force.

Text: Lieutenant Emília Maria

Photography: Seargents Bianca Viol e Johnson Barros/CECOMSAER

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

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Cancellation of the United Kingdom's participation in CRUZEX 2018

17 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 638 Views

The Direction of CRUZEX F2018 informs that the United Kingdom, that was going to participate as an observer, has cancelled its participation in the Exercise.
The other countries will still be in the air activities and all the scheduled events are maintained.
CRUZEX is the greatest multinational aerial combat exercise in South America, with the participation of about one hundred aircraft and 1,700 militaries from Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Peru, Uruguay, United States, Bolivia, India, Sweden, Venezuela, Portugal and Germany.

Few days before the training, the Director of CRUZEX 2018 talks about the exercise

16 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 909 Views

Few days before the training, the Director of CRUZEX 2018 talks about the exercise

General Medeiros, Commander of Ala 10 and Director of CRUZEX 2018, brings more details about the exercise, that will begin on November 18^th.

Few days before the beginning of CRUZEX 2018, the greatest joint multinational exercise organized by the Brazilian Air Force, the training Director, General Luiz Guilherme Silveira de Medeiros, brings more details about it.

Which phase of CRUZEX is being executed in this moment?

A C-17 cargo aircraft from the United States has already arrived, on Thursday, 15^th. However, it might not participate in the exercise. The other delegations are on the way here, as planned. The Brazilian squadrons are landing here in Ala 10. Today, in this aerodrome, we will have familiarization flights, known as FAM-FIT (Familiarization and Integration Training) to Brazilian pilots who do not usually fly here.

Why is CRUZEX so important? What kind of operational gains the Brazilian Air Force is expecting from this training?

The exercise is important for three reasons. First, because of the exchange of experiences. In 2002, the first edition of CRUZEX, we received three countries with aircraft and one sent a military observer. Today, we have seven countries that will participate with airplanes, and also the observers. That is, the evolution is clear. It is not for nothing that the number of interested people has increased. Second, CRUZEX is important because of the interoperability: in this edition, the Army and Navy will participate, even in the actions of unconventional war, which is one of the main innovations of this edition. In this kind of scenario, the conflict is not between two constituted States, but against insurgent powers. And, finally, the exercise is important because of the possibility of training our logistic and operational means. This is essential because, in the case of a conflict or of a displacement to attend a peace mission, we must have this expertise to execute it.

You talked about the evolution between the first edition and CRUZEX 2018. Could you mention any example of operational gains in the Air Force brought by this exercise over the years?

There are two important examples. Command and Control is one of them. Today, Brazil is highly developed and talks the same language of NATO countries. We can work in an integrated way with these countries. Another aspect is what we call shot validation, an activity that occurs in exercises like the Red Flag, from the United States Air Force. It is not only about reaching the targets, but evaluating the results and verifying how they are achieved. When we execute a simulation of in-flight weaponry employment, we are able of evaluating the levels of operational performance we have achieved. If the employment is real, it is much easier to do the verification, because we can see the armament hits the target. In the case of simulation, it is necessary to use systems in integrated ways.

During the trainings, will there be activities gathering different countries?
Yes. There will be in-flight refueling with aircraft from different countries, parachute launching performed by planes from other countries, among other examples. This is the most important part of exchanging experiences, because a great number of military that will be in action here have already been in conflict situations.

This is the first time we train the unconventional war scenario in CRUZEX. Why was it chosen for this edition?

The State necessities naturally evolve of the years. We have already trained our terrestrial means in peacekeeping missions, like the one happened in Haiti. Our naval assets have also been trained in the Lebanon mission, for example, that had a commander from the Brazilian Navy. Aerial means have only been used in transport missions. Now, we have entered a UN audit to use other aircraft in peacekeeping missions – for example, the Amazon C-105, H-6O Black Hawk and the Super Tucano A-29. These aircraft are already pre-approved to be employed. In the case of a necessity, we are ready to operate. So, the actions we will train in CRUZEX 2018 are tied to the unconventional war kind of conflict. These are very specific actions and, in these cases, the risk of collateral damage, that is, of reaching civilians or facilities that are not directly related to the conflict is very high.

Why investing in training in a pacific country like Brazil?

The Armed Forces belong to the Brazilian people. And, because of the characteristics of our country, they are more defense forces than attack forces; they serve to guarantee the defense of the country e its constituted powers. This is our mission e and the reason we have to be ready and this is why we are training here.

The Brazilian Air Force had a period of five years without CRUZEX. Why?

Between the last edition in 2013 and this edition, the country hosted major events, like the Confederations Cup, the World Cup and the Olympics. During these period, we had a great involvement of the three Armed Forces. We did not have enough resources to conduct an exercise of these proportions.

Interview By: Lieutenant Gabrielli Dala Vechia

Photography By: Seargent Bianca Viol

Translation By: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

DIRINFRA will be present in CRUZEX 2018

16 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 638 Views

The Board will serve specifically in infrastrucure support and in activities of fire protection

The Aeronautics Infrastructure Board (DIRINFRA) participates in Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise, held in Natal (RN), from November 18th to November 30th, serving in infrastrucure support and in activities of fire protection.Before the exercise begins, the Board was responsible for several actions, such as Chameleon Operation, in which the yard was painted, providing the horizontal signs of the spots reserved to the aircraft; the grouding system, responsible for protecting the aricraft case from atmospheric discharges; fireman training to handle different substances, like hydrazine (fuel); and the assembling of eleven small hangars.

“An operation of this proportion is an unique oportunity for exchanging information among the participating countries and also of improving the courses of actions in real situations. And for us, it is an honor to support techinically and logistically, as this operational exercise is the largest one in which the Brazilian Air Force participates in South America”, highlights the Director of Aeronautics Infrastructure, Major-General Sérgio de Matos Mello.

During CRUZEX, through the Fire Protection Division, DIRINFRA will support the fire protection, providing special vehicles in order to help in possible aeronautics emergencies, like the Fire Protection Cars (CCI) – vehicles prepared for fire protection and aerodromes rescuing.

Through the work of its personnel, besides the ones that belong to the local Fire Protection System, the teams will daily work to guarantee that event follows the security rules, as predicts the current legislation. The militaries will also act preventing accidents and cleaning the runways to avoid objetcs that might cause risks to aviation.The Aeronautics Infrastructure Board (DIRINFRA) has as its mission: to plan, to standardize and to manage the activities related to real estate assets, field engineer equipment, environmental management and fire protection.

Text By: Lieutenant Anelise da Silva

Edited By: Lieutenant Emilia Maria

Translation By: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Photograph: DIRINFRA

Understand how International Humanitarian Law applies in operational exercices

16 November 2018 by Agência Força Aérea Ingles 1120 Views

Application of principles such as distinction, military necessity, limitation and proportionality is observed in trainings such as CRUZEX

International Humanitarian Law, also known as International Law of Armed Conflict is the set of rules, agreed in an international scenario, that organizes and guides signatories military actions in cinflict contexts. Brazil has signed multilateral treaties regarding these questions. Military trainings, as CRUZEX 2018 operational exercise, conducted by the Brazilian Air Force, are executed based on these principles.Colonel André Luiz dos Santos Caldeira, who has took courses and in specialisations on International Law in Italy and Minas Gerais Federal University (UFMG), explains that the exercises are organized in accordance with the principles of Distinction, Military Necessity, Limitation and Proportionality. “All our exercise planning takes those issues into consideration. It is the professional improvement of preparation and use of military power; in the Air Force case, the Air Power”, said the officer, who acts in the Staff of Aeronautics (EMAER).

According to Colonel Caldeira, the International Law of Armed Conflict expresses the international legal framework, aiming to safeguard the life of those that are not directly related to the conflict, also adding the professional organization of means and methods for the Armed Forces employment. “That way, collateral damages – those that inevitable – will be directly connected to the conflict context”, explains.

The principle of Distinction, according to him, emphasizes that the attacks must be strictly restricted to the military goals - “targets” - whose destruction, total or partial, capture or neutralization, offers and efective military advantage in relation to the opponent. “The selection of targets undergoes a thorough analysing process, taking into account the aspects of distinction, considering the target relevance to achieve the mission planned results”, says the colonel.Another principle, Miltiary Necessity, related to the previous principle, emphasizes the idea that “the military power is employed against well-selected and essential targets, to guarantee the success of the planned actions”, says the officer.

The principle of Limitation refers to the fact that the warring parties must observe that not all methods and means are viable in a conflict. There are restrictions, like the use of chemical and biological weapons, for example.

Finally, there is the principle of Proportionality, which is related to the collateral damage caused when the target is reached: the relationship between the necessity of employing the military power against a certain target, the way it will be done and the caused damages is analysed considering this principle.

Colonel Caldeira explains that, even in peacetime, the Air Power employment in actions of sovereignty maintenance of the Brazilian Airspace, observes thoroughly the application of all these principles. “The Brazilian Armed Forces, through military exercises and manoeuvres, are in consonance with the well-established international principles, improving the preparation and employment of military power, and keeping themselves ready and in conditions to act in any kind of scenario”, says him.

Text By: Lieutenant Gabrielli dala Vechia

Photograph: Seargent Johnson and Soldier Wilhan Campos/CECOMSAER

Translation By: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Communication and control squadrons from all over the country mobilize personnel and equipments

16 November 2018 808 Views

Complex logistics for CRUZEX 2018 involved air and ground transportation to dislocate military antennas and radars

All the squadrons from the First Group of Communication and Control (1st GCC) were mobilized to expand the radar cover, increase communication capacities among the aricraft, enable real-time combat evaluation, among others, during CRUZEX 2018. Five squadrons have dislocated personnel, radars, antennas and other equipments to different cities of the Northeast Region, involving a complex logistics of air and ground transportation – which lasted more than a month.

The Prophet Squadron (1^st/1^stGCC), situated in Santa Cruz – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), took strcutures and personnel to the cities of Assú (RN), Natal (RN), Sousa (PB), Santa Terezinha (PE) and Recife (PE). To do that, C-130 Hercules made two trips between the two capitals, besides the terrestrial dislocations to the smaller cities.

The Mangrulho Squadron (4^st/1^stGCC), from Santa Maria (RS), dislocated a TPS-B34M kind of radar to the city of Caicó, in the countryside of Rio Grande do Norte. During CRUZEX 2018, the equipment will have the main function of providing greater radar coverage in the region, expanding traffic visualization, which will be controlled by the Third Integrated Center of Air defense and Air Traffic Control (CINDACTA III), situated in Recife (PE). To transport the radar and the other equipments, a C-130 Hercules aircraft was also used. It covered a distance of more than 4,000 km between the locations, in each of the four required dislocations.

The Bat Squadron's (3rd/1st GCC) headquarter is in Natal (RN), where CRUZEX 2018 will take place. The unit has a Precision Approach Radar, whose capacity will be used during the training. Besides that, the sqaudron has also assembled a communication structure in Maxaranguape (RN), where the Brazilian Air Force has a shooting range.

The other two squadrons, Spider (2nd/1st GCC) and Zagal (5th/1st GCC), situated in Canoas (RS) and Porto Velho (RO), respectively, have dislocated military personnel to act in the exercise.

Check the infographic: Mobilization of Comunication and Control Squadrons

According to Colonel Cyro Cruz, Commander of the 1^st GCC, which is the unit responsible for all the communication and control squadrons, the role of these units is essential to the execution and securtiy of the air activities during CRUZEX 2018. “The structure is ready for the training beginning. During the exercise we are fulfilling the mission of our unit: install, operate and mantain detection and communication means in places where they are insuficient or with no infrastructure for such a large demand of different types of flight, with different performances and altitudes, all at the same time. It is also a great oportunity to validate our operational logistics capacity, mobilizing equipments and personnel in the Group and its five squadrons, to execute the most importante training in the Brazilian Air Force, this year”, says him.

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

FAB’s delegation visit Natal’s surroundings to talk about CRUZEX

14 November 2018 887 Views

A community in the region is being informed about the movement that will happen in November

This Monday (5), a delegation composed by 19 militaries from Ala 10, an Air Force unit located in Parnamirim (RN), visited Pureza, a city in the east side of Rio Grande do Norte, where the Maxaranguape Shooting Range is located The visit had the aim of preparing the population to the air and land movements that will take place in the city during Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise (CRUZEX), which will be held from November 8th to November 30th, in Ala 10 and Maxaranguape.
In the public schools of Pureza, they received information about the activities that will occur in shooting range. The residents heard, for example, that all the predicted operations follow national and international flight security protocols for military aviation.

One of the institutions visited was the Jarbas Passarinho Municipal School, in which students from 11 classes from 5th to 9th grade participated in the lectures.“The militaries were well received, the students asked lots of questions and came out well informed. Now they are calm and curious, waiting for the beggining of this operation to see the airplanes in the sky”, says Francisca de Paula Batista Costa, Educational Coordinator.

During the visit to Maria Antonia State School, the student Renata Lopes de Araújo, 10 years old, had the first contact with the Brazilian Air Force military. “People from the Air Force was very nice, they gave us a little comic book that explains everything they do and they told us not to worry, because the planes in the sky will be in the training and everything is controlled by them, there is no danger”, tells the student.Besides the schools, a public hearing was held in the city, attended by representatives of civil society, such as the Catholic and Evangelical churches, and government. Information material is also being distributed in schools of Natal and Parnamirim, as well as the residents’ associations of Parmamirim, where Ala 10 is located, a FAB’s unit that will host the Operation. During the operation, an average of two hundred landings and takeoffs per day is expected, an aerial movement 2.5 times greater than what is normally recorded when the squadron of Ala 10 operation. In additionm there will be parachute launching.This is why the Air Force has mobilized a team of military personnel, under the coordination of the Air Force Social Communication Center (CECOMSAER), to talk with the communities of Natal, Parnamirim and Pureza and their representatives, as those cities are directly involvedin CRUZEX. “We know that an exercise of this proportion alters the region routine, with fighter aircraft, helicopters and parachute launching, what escapes the daily life of the residentes.However, the airspace protection training and the exchange with other Forces provide an increase in FAB’s capability levels, says Porém, o treinamento de proteção do espaçoaéreo e o intercâmbio com as outrasForçasproporcionamelevação do nível das capacidades da FAB", emphasizes the Chief of the Corporate Communications Division of CECOMSAER, Colonel Aviator Rodrigo Fontes de Almeida.

Other informative actions

Representatives of Parnamirim, Natal and Pureza(RN) and Parnamirim’s residents associations attended meetings in Ala 10 to talk about the exercise, on October 25thand 26th. Visitors participated in a lecture about CRUZEX and knew the operational area of Ala 10. In addition to Natal, Parnamirim and Pureza, information is also being sent to the media and opinion makers from the cities of Rio do Fogo, JoãoCâmara, Caicó and Mossoró, in Rio Grande do Norte, and Souza, in Paraíba. These cities are inserted in the aircraft overflight areas during the operation.
The movement of more than two thousand participants will be noticed mainly by the residents of the region of Natal and Parnamirim, areas that will have tourist activity and benefits to the service sector, since the visitors will be hosted outside the military bases. The exercise will involve about two thousand people, 1,200 Brazilian and foreign military visitors, who will arrive in the potiguar capital from November 15th on.

Text By: Lieutenant Juliana Lopes

Edited By: Lieutenant Emilia Maria

Translation By: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Photography By: Soldier Simplicio/Ala 10

Meet the foreign aircrafts that will participate in the training.

12 November 2018 1901 Views

Canada, Chile, United States, France, Peru and Uruguay will bring aircraft to operate in the country during CRUZEX 2018

The 8th edition of Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise, CRUZEX 2018, the largest multinational and joint exercise held by the Brazilian Air Force, gathers members from 14 countries – seven will participate not only with military personnel, but also with aircraft. Besides Brazil, Canada, Chile, United States, France, Peru and Uruguay will dislocate aircraft to the exercise training, which occurs in Natal (RN).

Aeronave CC-130J, do Canadá

Canada will send more than 40 militaries from the Canadian Air Force and Army, in order to support the CC-130J Hercules airlift, from the 436th Transport Squadron. Parachute launching is one of the missions planned for the aircraft during CRUZEX.

The country participated for the first time in the last edition, in 2013, and the expectation is that participants can validate their knowledge and skills in a robust and combined environment. In the meantime, relationships with other nations can be developed. Captain Campos, from the Canadian Air Force, explains that CRUZEX reinforces Canada’s ability to contribute to security abroad. “Our participation in the training promotes an environment of cooperation, understanding and mutual respect among the friendly nations, while enables dynamic training in a country where we do not fly frequently”, says the Canadian military.

Reabastecedor KC-135, do Chile

The Chilean Air Force participate with five F-16 fighters and one KC-135 airlift aircraft. Among the pilots and the maintenance team, the delegation will have around 90 military personnel. This is the fourth time that Chile participates in CRUZEX, just as Brazil usually participates in the Salitre Exercise, promoted by Chileans - the last one being in 2014. "We are very interested in updating our tactics, validating them, and increasing our level of interoperability, and also strengthening ties with the Air Forces of friendly nations”, says Colonel Pineda.

Caça F-16, dos Estados Unidos

United States participate with approximately 130 militaries, one KC-135 airlift aircraft and six F-16 fighters. Lieutenant-Colonel Dennen, from the American Air Force, explains that, in the contemporary international scene, a country alone cannot achieve results. That is why it is necessary to work together. "This exercise is the biggest and best of its kind in South America. There is nothing like it, we cannot miss this opportunity. All participants will have operational gains. Nowadays, there is no peacekeeping mission alone: interoperability relations between countries are the key to making the world a better place, more stable and better able to face the problems”, he says.

Aeronave de transporte C-235, da França France will bring one C-235 aircraft, whose base is in French Guiana. The aircraft will train air transport actions together with Brazilians, participating in the so-called “COMAOs” (Composite Air Operations), in which there is a “package” with aircrafts of different natures. They take off in sequence to – in limited time and space - carry out missions with common or complementary objectives. “It is important to improve the interoperability among countries, so that professionalism can be leveled, especially considering the possibility of some future joint engagement in peace missions", says Colonel Orlianges from the French Air Force.

Caça Mirage 2000, do Peru

Although Peru has already participated in CRUZEX with military observers, it is the first time they will bring aircraft, which includes four A-37B and four Mirage-2000 fighters. They will also send a delegation with about one hundred militaries. “CRUZEX will be our first big participation in an international event of this kind. We hope to show to South America and to the world that we are a prepared Air Force and that we have a high professional level. We also hope to learn a lot, especially with Brazil, that has great experience with the organization of this training”, says Lieutenant-Colonel Obergoso.

Caça A-37, do Uruguai Uruguay will dislocate to CRUZEX 2018 with four A-37 fighters and approximately 30 militaries. They have worked with the Brazilian Air Force in previous trainings, according to Colonel Parentini. "It's a great experience to share expertises with the participants. It is the chance to see how other Air Forces act, work together and try to fly as effectively and safely as possible”, he explains.

Besides these countries, Germany, India, Bolivia, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom and Venezuela will also participate in CRUZEX 2018, but without dislocating aircraft.

Text By: Lieutenant Gabrielli Dala vechia

Translation By: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

CRUZEX 2018 - SIMULATED WAR, REAL TRAINING!

05 November 2018 by CRUZEX Ingles 961 Views

The new edition of Brazilian Air Force's magazine – Aerovisão - is now available online in bilingual format (Portuguese and English). The publication presents the backstage and expectations of CRUZEX Exercise. The magazine also brings information about 50th anniversary of Bandeirante airplane, which has boosted the Brazilian aeronautical industry - now one of the largest in the world.The interviewee for this edition is Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. She talks about Brazil's potential in space sector and the possibilities of international partnerships for mutual development.

FAB opens press accreditation for multinational exercise

01 October 2018 by CRUZEX Ingles 869 Views

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) opens on Tuesday (18) the press accreditation for the journalistic coverage of the Cruzex 2018. The multinational exercise conducted by Brazil will bring together foreign Air Forces to train air combat from November 18 to 30 in Natal (RN).

Accreditation of press professionals is mandatory to have access to Ala 10, where the exercise will be held.

For Brazilian journalists, the form is available here: https: //goo.gl/forms/fSFGm28sesdlbqzw1

For foreign journalists, the form is available here: https://goo.gl/forms/P4kYOMSVYBaeXoMq1

Those interested should fill out the form (as per link below) and send a recent photo in 5x7 cm format and a scanned identification document to the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Brazilian journalists, it is mandatory to provide the identification document with the CPF number (Individual Registration Number). For journalists of other nationalities it is mandatory to inform the passport number and digital submission of the identification page.

Media Day

The first day (19/11) of the exercise will be devoted to press service, including a press conference and a flight to record images. The number of professionals able to board the media flight is limited. The selection of professionals will follow the rules established by the Cruzex press office.

On other days there will also be attendance to press requests.

From November 20, professional photographers (spotters) interested in taking pictures of aircraft take-off will have access to the points selected by the organization of the event.

All press requests will be handled by the Cruzex press office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Subject (s): CRUZEX 2018 ALA 10 MIDIA COMPREP ACCREDITATION

Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance

Brazilian Navy takes part in the BVR Technical Exercise in ALA 2

20 September 2018 by CRUZEX Ingles

One of the novelties of the Technical Exercise BVR (EXTEC BVR) 2018, that is being held at Ala 2, in Anápolis - GO, is the participation of the First Squadron of Interception and Attack Aircraft (VF-1 Squadron) of the Brazilian Navy. During the exercise, which ends on Thursday (06SEPT), the VF-1 Squadron, in its 20 years of existence, performed the first flight in a COMAO (Composite Air Operations), commonly called "voo de pacote" with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).

The participation of the Brazilian Navy in the EXTEC BVR was an invitation from the Preparation Command (COMPREP), aiming at the training of the VF-1 Squadron for CRUZEX 2018, an exercise for which they will also take part for the first time and that will take place at Ala 10, in Natal - RN, from 18 to 30 November. "It is important to carry out the doctrinal exchange, so that they know how we operate and for us to know how they operate", points out COMPREP’s Doctrine Division Assistant and Coordinator of the BVR Exercise air activities, Major Av. Nicolas Silva Mendes.

The VF-1 began its participation in the EXTEC BVR with simpler flights, called FIT (Forces Integration Training) and, on August 28th, it performed its first flight in COMAO. Major Nicolas explains the operational gain of interoperability with the Navy. "In the EXTEC BVR packages, we use the air defense aircraft to make protection and the Striker aircraft to carry out the attack. In this scenario, we are taking advantage of the capabilities that the Navy has in its modernized aircraft, such as radar, for example, and the Navy is taking advantage of our planes’ capabilities. It is certainly an operational and doctrinal gain for the two Forces", he emphasizes.

For the Commander of the VF-1 Squadron, Commander (Marines) Anderson de Brito Coelho, it is a challenge to be in this Exercise, for being the first time we participate in such training, but it is also an opportunity to test the capabilities of the aircraft that the Navy has modernized. "We always aim at the interoperability between the Forces, we learn from the FAB and it learns from us, as well. In the end, we have a complete Aerospace Defense, because we have been able to bring all the learning acquired here to strengthen the Space Defense of the Naval Force", he says.

Translation: Marcia Lucas Leal Mello – DAS 3 (Cenipa)

Meeting presents guidelines for Cruzex Flight 2018

20 September 2018 by CRUZEX Ingles

The Initial Planning Conference (IPC) for Cruzex Flight 2018 Exercise was held from 5 to 9 March, at Ala 10, in Natal - RN, attended by representatives of Air Forces from 13 countries: Sweden, Argentina, Portugal, Peru, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, France, Uruguay, England and the United States. The objective was to promote interaction among participating nations, present initial planning, and have each representative from foreign delegations to bring their operational and support demands. The Operational Exercise will take place in Natal, between November 18 and 30, of this current year. The Air Forces of 21 countries were invited to actively take part in the Exercise or be present only as observers.

Translation: Marcia Lucas Leal Mello – DAS 3 (Cenipa)

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