The training was carried out by the Aerial Rescue Fleet (PARA-SAR) and took place in Parnamirim (RN), Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Manaus (AM).
Air Force Agency – BANT, 2nd ETA, by SO Carla and Lt Poccinelli And Lt Gabrielle Varela
On Thursday (11/07), the Natal Air Base (BANT) held the Military Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Search and Rescue Course. The event was attended by the Head of the Ground Operations Preparedness Sub-Command of the Preparedness Command (COMPREP), Infantry Brigadier Alexandre Okada, who presided over the ceremony; the Commander of BANT, Air Brigadier Ricardo Guerra Rezende; the Commanders of the Natal Air Force Garrison (GUARNAE-NT); the Commander of the Aerial Rescue Fleet (PARA-SAR), Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dias Ramos Loureiro; the instructors and family members of the graduates.
During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Loureiro highlighted the crucial importance of rescue activities. “The rescue activity is one of the most important in PARA-SAR and in the Air Force, being employed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days. It is the readiness and effectiveness of Search and Rescue Aviation, which year after year guarantees hope and help in the most challenging times,” said the Senior Officer.
In his speech, Infantry Brigadier Okada highlighted the importance of the intensive training that the graduates have undergone, mentioning the recent crucial role of rescue workers during the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
“It is a great satisfaction to hand over another 25 soldiers from the Brazilian Air Force and one from the Federal District Military Fire Brigade to the Search and Rescue mission,” said the Brigadier. He also emphasized the dedication of the graduates during the 102 days of training, which totaled 1,192 hours of specialized instruction, ranging from basic techniques to complex operations such as SAR, CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) and CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation).
During the event, the Outstanding Operational Award was presented to Lieutenant Éric Costa Braga. The award is given to the soldier chosen by the instructors and peers for their high standard of preparation, dedication, esprit de corps and self-sacrifice.
The 26 graduates, now part of the select PARA-SAR group, embrace the motto “So that others may live”, reflecting the Air Force’s commitment to carrying out search and rescue missions under the most challenging conditions. “With each operation, we commit ourselves to a powerful motto that is the symbol of the new rescuers’ mission,” added Infantry Brigadier Okada.
The training, coordinated by the Tactical and Specialized Expertise Group (GITE) and operated by the Aerial Rescue Fleet – PARA-SAR (PARA for paratroopers and SAR for Search and Rescue), took place in Parnamirim (RN), Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Manaus (AM).
Photos: Soldado Nóbrega / BANT