Armed Forces work on the recovery of another runway in the Yanomami Indigenous TerritoryArmed Forces work on the recovery of another runway in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory

Cmdo Op Cj Amz, by Lieutenant Flávia Rocha, Captain Emília Maria and Major Rodolfo

In almost four months of Operation Yanomami, the challenges do not stop. One of the main complexities is the access to indigenous villages located in the vast Amazon Rainforest. To minimize part of this obstacle, military personnel are working to complete the renovation of the landing strip of the 5th Special Border Platoon (5th PEF), located in Auaris, 445 kilometers from Boa Vista (RR).

In February, the runway of the Fourth Special Border Platoon (4th PEF) of the Brazilian Army (EB), located in the region of Surucucu (RR), was also recovered. In both locations, the only means of access is by air.

The work to recover the runway in Auaris has the support of the Amazon Region Airports Commission (COMARA), of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), and the Army’s Sixth Construction Engineering Battalion (6th BEC). In addition, helicopters from the three Forces transport asphalt mix daily from the Boa Vista Air Base (BABV) to the location. The objective is to increase the capacity to supply the indigenous population of the region, as well as to supply the 5th PEF.

According to COMARA Engineer Captain Rafael Marques Alves, with the completion of the runway repair, the Armed Forces and other federal public agencies will be able to act with more agility and in a more economical way to serve the local Yanomami. “This will make it easier to transport food baskets, medicines and other supplies, and will increase the capacity to carry out Aeromedical Evacuations and Logistical Air Transport,” he explained.

According to Building Technician Sergeant Alexandre de Melo Lacerda, from the 6th BEC, the reform is crucial for the runway to be able to allow the landing and take-off of more economical aircrafts, such as the C-98 Caravan. “The Battalion works on emergency maintenance in order to consider a safe landing of a fixed-wing aircraft, so that it can supply the needs of both the 5th PEF and the indigenous people in the region,” he emphasized.

5TH PEF

In Auaris, a fundamental part for the success of several actions of Operation Yanomami is the 5th Special Border Platoon. In addition to the mission of border protection and defense, the Platoon has been active in combating illegal mining and confronting the public health emergency in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.

Photos and video: Sergeant Monica / CECOMSAER *** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI ***

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