Safeguarding aviation` turns 82 on December 11
Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Marize Torres
Vigilant in defense of Brazil, the Aeronautics Infantry turns 82 on December 11 with yet another reason to be proud of “safeguarding aviation”. With Decree No. 11.765, of November 1, 2023, which involves the security forces fighting organized crime through the Guarantee of Law and Order (GLO), the Air Force Infantry is fulfilling its role by working with the institutions involved to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking, arms trafficking and other illicit conduct, through preventive and repressive actions at the international airports of Guarulhos, in São Paulo, and Galeão, in Rio de Janeiro.
Operation Air Bridge, instituted by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), adds to the efforts already being made by other agents at the airports. The preventive and repressive actions collaborate with the Federal Police, the Federal Revenue Service, the Federal Highway Police, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the Military and Civil Police of both states, working in the operational area of the international airports of Galeão and Guarulhos, in the areas of baggage handling, inspection of suspicious cargo or passengers and employees who are in the routine of the airports, with the help of sniffer dogs, patrolling the perimeters of the airports with the use of vehicles and armed military personnel working at sensitive points, and carrying out patrols in the lobbies.
“A lot of guts and unparalleled drive”
In the first 30 days of the operation, 3,049 people and 1,118 vehicles were searched, in accordance with the premise of preserving the physical, mental and moral integrity of those being searched. Patrol actions totaled 760 hours, while sniffing activities totaled 167 hours, reaching a volume of around 30,155 cubic meters, which is equivalent to approximately 502 large trucks. In all, there have been approximately 305 hours of joint operations, involving other security forces and agencies.
“Your soldiers, you know how to choose”
The head of the Air Force Intelligence Center (CIAER), Infantry Brigadier José Roberto de Queiroz Oliveira, currently serves as Deputy Commander of Operation Air Bridge. The General speaks highly of taking part in the mission.
“It’s an honor to have been appointed by the Commander of the Air Force and the Aerospace Operations Command to take part in Operation Air Bridge. For the FAB, this GLO operation can be considered the first cooperation operation with other federal organizations, such as the Federal Police, the Federal Revenue Service and other agencies involved in the airport area, which, with specific attributions, are acting in collaboration and synergistically, with common goals of improving the sense of security for the Brazilian population at the airports established by the federal government. It is true that the institutions already working at these airports have their duties already defined and have been fulfilling them very well in their routine tasks. However, the presence of the FAB, through Air Operations and, above all, Ground Operations represented by the Aeronautics Infantry, contributes to these Agencies, in order to allow the Federal Institutions to present themselves as the bodies that maintain the well-being of society, preventing and minimizing the continuity of crimes in these areas, as well as working in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance and the airport administrators RioGaleão (RJ) and Gru Airport (São Paulo) so that our Brazilian society can enjoy air transportation, with the certainty that these places are even safer and more efficient,” he said.
“Look the enemy in the face to defeat him, repel his advance with vigor”
The GLO RJ Battalion and the GLO SP Company are carrying out Air Force Police actions, which consist of using Air Force assets to maintain law and order in areas of interest to the Federal Government. The use of specialized dogs to detect drugs, weapons and other illicit items that may arrive by air from the respective cities is an action coordinated with the Federal Revenue Service, which corroborates one of the basic premises of the planning of the GLO Operation, which is synergy between the Agencies with a view to increasing the effectiveness of inspection activities and the seizure of illicit items.
The head of the Preparedness Command’s Land Operations Sub-Command (COMPREP), Infantry Brigadier Alexandre Okada, is acting as Deputy GLO Commander in São Paulo. For the general, who commanded the Manaus Special Air Force Infantry Battalion (BINFAE-MN) during the 2014 World Cup, it is always a source of pride to be able to command and coordinate a mission like this. “Service to the Homeland and to the institutions is a duty I do with great satisfaction. As eternal apprentices, we are always open to new challenges and proposals to improve the activities we have to carry out. It’s always great to demonstrate our professionalism in the activities we carry out,” said the General, who also commanded the GLO Battalion for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For him, Operation Air Bridge in the context of Law and Order Operations is a milestone for a new proposal of preparation and employment for the Infantry Units of the Preparedness Command.
“In the GLO Operations for the World Cup and the Olympic Games, activities focused on protecting authorities and delegations. In the GLO Operations carried out with State Public Security, they focused on everyday occurrences in society. As a result, we had to prepare ourselves to support all the activities they carried out. In this GLO, in collaboration with the Federal Police, the Federal Highway Police and the Federal Revenue Service, with the aim of combating the trafficking of arms, drugs and other illicit conduct, only at the São Paulo and Galeão Airports, new conditions have emerged for carrying out the activities of the Air Force Police already employed,” he said.
“And always ready to engage in combat”
Military personnel from the GLO RJ Battalion and the GLO SP Company receive constant guidance on the Rules of Engagement, conduct on social media, among other instructions. In inter-agency cooperation, the soldiers are also being instructed on the safety rules for accessing restricted areas, in accordance with the guidelines of the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
“Brazil is your cradle, your ground”
Operation Air Bridge is scheduled to last until May 6, 2024, in accordance with Decree 11.765 of November 1, 2023. The mission currently has approximately 400 military personnel and this number can be increased if deemed necessary.
“Infantry to watch over”
The Air Force Infantry has three basic areas of activity: Security and Defense (SEGDEF), Anti-Aircraft Defense (DAAE) and Special Operations (OpEsp). Each one brings together a set of specific Air Force Actions. The SEGDEF area includes Facilities Security, Air Force Police and Surface Self-Defense. DAAE corresponds to Anti-Aircraft Self-Defense Action. OpEsp includes Direct Actions, Special Reconnaissance, Counterterrorism and Advanced Air Guidance.
The Infantry also operates in the area of Search and Rescue (SAR), as part of the Aviation Rescue Teams, taking part in Search and Rescue and Combat Search and Rescue actions.
The Air Force Infantry is present in all regions of the country. In all, it has 28 Security and Defense Units, comprising ten Groups, thirteen Fleets, four Squadrons and one Security and Defense Element. In addition, there is the Aerial Rescue Fleet, COMAER’s Special Operations Unit (UOpEsp), and the Anti-Aircraft Defense Units (UDAAe), comprising the First Anti-Aircraft Defense Brigade (1st BDAAE) and its three Anti-Aircraft Defense Groups (1st, 2nd and 3rd GDAAE).
Infantry soldiers carry out various types of activities, from the Guarantee of Law and Order to Anti-Aircraft Defense, such as: Guarantee of Law and Order, Peacekeeping Mission, Anti-Aircraft Defense, Search and Rescue, Scouts, Ground Control Measures, among others.
Photos: Sergeant Neris / CECOMSAER and Private Takashi / BASP *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***