Heroes of the Brazilian Air Force in World War II were honored at the P-47 Ceremony
Agência Força Aérea, by Aspirante Mônica Lopes
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) held, on Friday (April 21), at the Santa Cruz Air Base (BASC), in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), a military ceremony in honor of the Fighter Aviation Day, with the awarding of the “Brigadeiro Nero Moura Operational Merit” medal.
The event was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, who was welcomed by the Commander of Santa Cruz Air Base, Air Colonel Juliano Barros Cota. Also participating in the event were former commanders of the Air Force, the Air Readiness Commander, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Sergio Roberto de Almeida, among other high-ranking officers of the Air Force.
For the Readiness Commander, the bravery, courage, abnegation and love for the Homeland of these warriors led to the growth of the entire FAB. “Today is a day in which we are all Jambocks. Congratulations to the members of the Fighter Aviation! Congratulations, Brazilian Air Force! Sit your ass down! Brazil!
As part of the tributes made during the ceremony, Airplane Major Gusttavo Freitas de Souza received the Pacau – Magalhães Motta Award, which stimulates the study and research of subjects related to fighter aviation. The winning work of 2022 had as its theme the analysis of the Impact of International Operational Exchanges on Fighter Aviation Doctrine.
The ceremony also included the awarding of the title of “Honorary Member of the Brazilian Air Force” to Vicente Vazques Fernandes, for his valuable help and cooperation to the Air Force Command. The Commanders of the Arrow, Poker, Joker and Jaguar Squadrons were awarded the “Brigadeiro Nero Moura Operational Merit” medal, which is given to veterans of the First Fighter Aviation Group and to military personnel who have held or are still holding the position of Air Unit Commander.
A special attraction were the flights over the A-1M, A-29, F-5M and F-39 Gripen fighter planes, which caught the attention of everyone present.
For Lieutenant Matheus Becker Motta, from the First Squadron of the Fourteenth Aviation Group (1/14th GAV) – Pampa Squadron, it is a source of pride to participate in the RAC for the third time. “Here we meet friends again, remember the fundamental role that the veterans had in World War II for Brazil and for the Brazilian Air Force, and also renew our energy to move forward. The Fighter Aviation has evolved a lot, now we have modern aircraft like the F-39 Gripen, but we can never lose the spirit that was forged in the heat of battle, even costing the lives of some hunters. A prime example of love for the Homeland”, he said.
The ceremony ended with a troop parade, composed of the groups from the Santa Cruz Air Base, the group of active and reserve fighter pilots, and former members of the First Fighter Aviation Group, to the sound of the song “Carnaval in Venice.
P-47 Ceremony
The ceremony began with the lighting of the pyre by the most senior officer of the First Fighter Aviation Group, Lieutenant Jessé Campagnoli Rosa. The pyre symbolizes the flame of the ideal, eternally present in the spirit of the fighter pilot.
In his speech, the Commander of the First Fighter Aviation Group (1st GAVCA), Lieutenant Colonel Felipe da Silva Ribeiro, highlighted the achievements of the brave Jambocks. “For all that our heroes represent to us, we are left with the most simple memories, we render the most sincere tribute and we keep our eternal gratitude, because today we can look up to the sky and contemplate it, aware that, there, a handful of brothers shone in an undeniable way,” he said.
Afterwards, during a gun salute, the names of the nine Brazilians killed during World War II were read by Lieutenant Colonel Ribeiro.
The commander of the Air Force, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, accompanied by the war veteran, Major Specialist João Rodrigues Filho, and Lieutenant Colonel Ribeiro, laid flowers on the grave of Air Brigadier Nero Moura, the first commander of the 1st GAVCA. The veteran also raised the “Jambock Banner”, used in the camps in Italy during the conflict.
History
Exactly 78 years ago, on April 22, 1945, the aviators of the First Fighter Aviation Group flew 44 war missions in a single day, between sunrise and sunset, in the skies of Italy. In an enormous effort, that select and reduced team of Brazilian pilots and mechanics established an impressive mark, which was not surpassed throughout the entire World War II campaign and was carved in a book of gold. Thus, April 22nd was determined as Brazilian Fighter Aviation Day, an aviation that now has the increased combat power of the modern F-39 Gripen aircraft.
Photos: Sgt. P. Silva / Videos Video: Sergeant Ronan / CECOMSAER