Ingles (29)
In-flight Refuelling during CRUZEX 2018
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.Watch the video and learn more about the aircraft maintenance job.
Go to FAB’s Flickr or the Download tab to check more images.
Translation: Lieutenant Ludmila Milhorance
From the ground, controllers and pilots participate in CRUZEX 2018 real time combat flights
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
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
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