Joint military training is being held in Peru, between April 8 and 19
EMAER – Air Force Agency
The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB) is participating, from April 8th to May 19th, in Exercise Cooperación IX, which aims to integrate Command and Control coordination in support of public calamities and assistance to natural disasters. The joint military training, which takes place this year in Lima, Peru, seeks to promote the exchange of experiences, knowledge and training to strengthen the capabilities of the participating Air Forces.
The 2023 edition counts with the participation of host Peru, as well as Brazil, Chile, Canada, the United States, Honduras, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, the Dominican Republic and Panama.
FAB sent two aircraft for the exercise: the KC-390 Millennium, from the First Troop Transport Group (1st GTT) – Zeus Squadron; and the SC-105 Amazonas, from the Second Squadron of the Tenth Aviation Group (2nd/10th GAV) – Pelican Squadron. The training includes simulations of various situations, in two main scenarios: earthquake (1st stage) and hurricane (2nd stage). This type of activity keeps the crews trained and prepared to provide the necessary air support in case of major emergencies.
Among the Brazilian Air Force personnel participating are members of the Air Force Staff (EMAER), the Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE) and the Directorate of Health (DIRSA), as well as crew members of the Preparatory Command (COMPREP) KC-390 Millennium and SC-105 Amazonas aircraft.
Among the loads sent by the FAB are support materials for the operation and supplies, as well as items necessary for conducting Aeromedical Evacuation operations, which will be extensively trained during the activities.
The commander of the 1st GTT, Lieutenant-Colonel Aviator Bruno Américo Pereira, explained the previous planning necessary for the mission to take place. “Several meetings and internal preparations were held, which, together with the readiness of our aircraft and crew, allowed us to be in a position to represent the Brazilian Air Force in this multinational exercise,” he said.
It is expected that a cadence of two flights per day will be accomplished by each aircraft, working together with the Air Forces and rescue teams from the other 12 participating countries.
Aviator Colonel Márcio Gonçalves Ribeiro, the oldest military of the delegation and Brazil’s Liaison Officer in the System of Cooperation among American Air Forces (SICOFAA), highlighted the importance of the mission. “SICOFAA and its exercises have been considered an important cooperation initiative among Latin American Air Forces and has contributed to improving skills and operational capacity in a regional cooperation environment,” he concluded.
Exercise Cooperation IX
Exercise Cooperación IX is a joint military training exercise that is part of SICOFAA, an Organization created in 1961. The exercise aims to improve the interoperability of Air Forces in joint peace, security and regional defense operations, promoting trust and integration among the participating countries.
Photos: SICOFAA