Rotary Wing Aviation Day is celebrated on February 3rd.
Major Cheregati and Lieutenant Johny Lucas / CECOMSAER
Rotary Wing Aviation Day is celebrated on February 3, in honor of the first combat rescue carried out by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), which took place in 1964 in the Republic of Congo. During a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission, then Lieutenant Aviators Ércio Braga and Milton Naranjo, along with Sergeants João Martins Capela Junior and Wilibaldo Moreira Santos, aboard the H-19 helicopter, rescued crew members and missionaries about to be captured by heavily armed rebels.
This historic milestone reflects the values that rotary-wing aviation still cultivates today, especially altruism, selflessness, commitment to the mission and esprit de corps. As the song of the 1º/11º GAV – Gavião Squadron – the unit responsible for teaching the art of hovering to all FAB rotary-wing pilots, points out: “No one can deny unparalleled bravery, in any time, space or place”.
In more recent times, these values could be seen in the fulfillment of missions such as supporting the flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul in 2024. In this operation to support the state, the H-36 Caracal and H-60 Black Hawk aircraft logged more than 450 flight hours, mainly rescuing people isolated in flooded areas, transporting supplies and carrying out aeromedical evacuations. The rapid action ensured the preservation of lives and immediate assistance to those most affected by the tragedy.
Also in support of the state in Operation Catrimani II, which is a joint inter-agency action aimed at taking preventive and repressive action against illegal mining, cross-border illicit activities and environmental crimes in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory. The helicopters are essential in responding to the humanitarian crisis affecting the indigenous communities in the region.
Thus, in addition to the various other missions carried out throughout its history, rotary-wing aviation demonstrates that it is a fundamental part of the FAB’s ability to deliver value to society and fulfill its constitutional purpose and subsidiary attributions.

To this end, the FAB operates a fleet made up of modern helicopters, such as the H-50 Esquilo, H-60 Black Hawk, H-36 Caracal, as well as the VH-35 and VH-36. These aircraft are distributed in eight squadrons spread across the country: the First Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (1°/8° GAV) – Falcão Squadron – based at Natal Air Base; the Second Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (2°/8° GAV) – Poti Squadron – based at Porto Velho Air Base; the Third Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (3°/8° GAV) – Puma Squadron – based at Santa Cruz Air Base; the Fifth Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (5°/8° GAV) – Pantera Squadron – based at Santa Maria Air Base; the Seventh Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (7°/8° GAV) – Harpy Squadron – based at Manaus Air Base; the Second Squadron of the Tenth Aviation Group (2°/10° GAV) – Pelican Squadron – based at Campo Grande Air Base; the First Squadron of the Eleventh Aviation Group (1°/11° GAV) – Gavião Squadron – based at Natal Air Base; and the Third Squadron of the Special Transportation Group (GTE 3) – based at Brasília Air Base.
Notoriously, the execution of missions by Rotary Wing Squadrons requires a high degree of preparation and synergy on the part of the crews. In addition to the pilots, specialist officers and doctors also work on board. These military personnel perform functions such as operating the rescue winch, shooting with sidearms and on-board weapons, descending ropes (either by abseiling or using the “fastrope” rapid descent method), preparing and monitoring external loads and treating patients during flight. Given their ability to access isolated areas with agility, rotary-wing crews are always in contact with the front line and are characterized by their integration with troops on the ground.

Due to their versatility, rotary-wing crews are able to carry out a wide range of actions, the main ones currently being: Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Aeromedical Evacuation (EVAM), Flight Trials, Air Infiltration and Exfiltration, Logistical Air Transport and Special Transport.
In order to improve the initial training of the FAB’s rotary-wing pilots so that they can carry out this full range of missions, the FAB is running the TH-X Project at the Combat Aircraft Project Coordinating Commission (COPAC). The TH-X project consists of replacing H-50 Esquilo helicopters with newer versions, with easier maintenance and more up-to-date avionics systems. In this project, 27 H125 helicopters were acquired, 15 for the Brazilian Navy (MB) and 12 for the FAB. The new models offer advances in pilot training, such as flying with Night Vision Goggles and instrument flight procedures (only simulated, in visual flight conditions).

“Project TH-X also strengthens the national industry, as the aircraft will be assembled in Brazil. Therefore, its implementation represents a strategic milestone for Brazilian military aviation, guaranteeing not only the continuity of aerial instruction, but also a significant advance in terms of operational capacity and safety for training missions and, eventually, Search and Rescue missions and support for isolated populations,” said Lieutenant Colonel Marco Aurélio De Oliveira Celoni, a member of the project management team at COPAC.
With all the baggage inherited from our predecessors, examples of dedication and commitment, combined with the expected advances in our aviation, the FAB once again emphasizes the value of the men and women, officers and graduates, who loudly shout the battle cry “TO THE ROTORS… THE KNOW! THE KNOWLEDGE!”.
Photos: CECOMSAER