Simultaneous movements in the sky and on the ground marked the exercise of simulating the neutralization of an opposing force. This was the final action of the Serra do Pantanal Operation, part of the Advanced Training Program of the 18th Pantanal Infantry Brigade, organized by the Operations Coordination Center of the Western Military Command (CMO).
During two weeks of intense training, soldiers used several special techniques such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense operations, information support, airborne operations, progression in urban environments, sniper and air-mobile techniques.
The Serra do Pantanal Operation was carried out in the area of the 47th Infantry Battalion, in the regions of Coxim and Pedro Gomes-MS, from May 29th to June 12th. During the operation, a land logistics base was deployed and there was a doctrinal experimentation of Advanced Companies of the 9th Supply Battalion and the 18th Transport Battalion.
“The highlight of our exercise was the seamless integration between the various modules. We had everything from Special Forces, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence, Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, all the modules working in a very well synchronized way. This increases the capacity, increases the combat power of the Western Military Command”, highlighted the Western Military Commander, Army General Anisio David de Oliveira Junior.
For the Chief of the Operations Coordination Center of the CMO, Brigadier General Valério Luiz Lange, it was a great coordinated effort to accomplish the mission of Defense and Preservation of the Western Border. “There were several Area Commands and several special troops gathered in a complete, dynamic, and fundamental exercise for the preparation of our troops,” he added.
For Sergeant Gerônimo Moreira, it was a unique opportunity. “We had the opportunity to work with different troops and the Special Operations Command even complemented our knowledge. I leave here with more willpower, enthusiasm, and a lot of professionalism”, said the sergeant.
3rd Sergeant Luan Biondo da Silva emphasized the opportunity to disseminate the knowledge acquired. “It was a great experience that we will take back to our regiment and pass on as much as possible to the rest of the troops”, he said. At the end of the operation, Corporal Leonardo de Andrade Leite, one of the one thousand soldiers who took part in the Serra do Pantanal Operation, praised the realism of the exercise and its contribution to the formation of the combatant. “I felt like I was on a real mission, and now I am more confident to act if necessary,” he concluded.
This great integrating exercise of the Western Military Command was attended by troops from Corumbá, Coxim, Porto Murtinho, Bela Vista, Aquidauana, Rondonópolis, and Campo Grande, in addition to the Special Operations Command, based in Goiânia-GO.
*** Translated by DEFCONPress Team ***