Joint Operation Pantanal II
Campo Grande (MS) – The Joint Command of Operation Pantanal II is deployed in naval, land and air operations to combat the outbreaks of fire in the Pantanal. The Jaguar Logistical Support Base, installed near km 110 of the Transpantaneira Highway, began operating on July 6. The structure was built to provide logistical support to firefighters from the agencies directly involved in fighting fires in the Pantanal.
In order to operate the systems used by the Joint Command and the public security agencies involved in the activities, T3 Sat antennas (Telebras) were installed at Jaguar Base. The equipment is operated by soldiers from the 9th Communications and Electronic Warfare Battalion (9º B Com GE) and provides network media (intranet and internet) to users of the installations. The antennas are managed by the Ministry of Defense in coordination with the Management and Operational Center of the Amazon Protection System (CEMSIPAM).
This type of transportable solution mainly serves defense forces, public security forces and other agencies that need a connection for data transmission in operations located in remote regions of Brazil, especially in the Pantanal.
Telebras Transportable Satellite Terminals (T3SAT) connect to the internet via the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite (SGDC). In addition to connectivity, the terminals are easy to transport and quick to assemble. The antennas were sent on an emergency basis and the acquisition of new antennas is being considered on a permanent basis.
Joint Command operates with naval and air assets
Since June 5, the Component Naval Force (FNC), made up of resources from the Brazilian Navy, has been providing logistical support to the Civil Defense agencies of the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul in the fight against fires in the Pantanal.
With this deployment, the FNC supports land, river and air reconnaissance actions, the transportation of firefighters, accommodation, food, medical care and direct firefighting.
So far, two ships have been used (Patrol Vessel “Poti” and Patrol Vessel “Penedo”), six vessels (Floating School Agency “Esperança do Pantanal”, Fluvial Support Notice “Barão de Melgaço”, two rigid-hulled vessels, a Teaching and Patrol Support Boat and the Combat Boat “Aruanã”), five Atego vehicles, a water truck and a 5-ton forklift – used to support the KC390 aircraft – and two aircraft (UH-12 and UH-15).
Operation Pantanal II
The Pantanal II Joint Operational Command was activated on June 27, by means of Ministerial Order 3,179 of the Ministry of Defense. With this measure, the Armed Forces, Navy, Army and Air Force will join forces to fight fires in the Pantanal region for a period of four months. The activities of the Joint Command will be under the responsibility of Army General Baganha. The actions will be carried out in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, using helicopters, planes, boats and vehicles to transport soldiers, firefighters and equipment, as well as means to guarantee support for all those involved.
