Altamira (PA) – A training exercise involving 180 service members from the 23rd Jungle Infantry Brigade certified the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Company of the Northern Military Command (CMN) as capable of participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions. The exercises took place in the area of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant in Vitória do Xingu and in the 51st Jungle Infantry Battalion in Altamira, both municipalities in the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon region.
A Mobile Training Team (EMT) from Brazil’s Joint Peace Operations Center (CCOPAB) supported the training. The training was conducted in an entirely practical manner, through integrated exercises, composed of simultaneous actions, which simulated situations that occur in peacekeeping missions, with emphasis on the following tasks: protection of civilians, search and evacuation of wounded, combat shooting, approach techniques in a jungle environment, occupation of an operational base and ostensive patrolling, with the participation of not only military personnel, but also civilians and police officers.
With the exercise, the CMN’s Rapid Reaction Company is now part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Capabilities Readiness System and is able to operate anywhere in the world.
“This is one of the noblest missions a soldier can fulfill, as it requires special preparation, concern for the population and the country in which they are operating. Not only in the military, but also in the civilian, understanding the agreements, the code of rights that govern a mission like this,” said the Commander of the 23rd Jungle Infantry Brigade, General Veiga.
A UN requirement is the inclusion of at least 9% of female military personnel in the workforce. Thus, 16 women are part of the Company, including as fraction commanders. One of the participants was Lieutenant Ávila, commander of the Logistics Support Platoon. She commented on the participation of women. “It’s an opportunity to show that we can keep up with the missions. We evolved physically during the week, the exercises were efficient. So, we are prepared to carry our backpack and handle our rifle like any military officer.”
The Peace Mission Division of the Land Operations Command (COTER) manages the training, and the Brazilian Joint Peace Operations Center is in charge of evaluation and certification. “This certification began a few months ago, when teams from CCOPAB came to Altamira and conducted instructions for the commanders of all levels of the Rapid Reaction Force and for the General Staff, seeking to incorporate what we call the ‘blue package,’ which are UN doctrines, into the training they already have on jungle operations. The company did very well. We have seen progress since last year, and today we can say that the 51st BIS has a troop that meets and exceeds the standards required by the UN in the deployment of a peacekeeping mission”, explained the Commander of CCOPAB, Colonel Vaz.
According to the Chief of Peace Missions, Aviation and Inspector General of Military Police of COTER, General Alexandre, the activity has contributed not only to developing the collective skills of the troops, but also individual ones. “We realize that since last year, many military personnel have become interested in studying other languages, especially English, since UN documents are in English. It is interesting to see the growth and commitment of all the military personnel involved,” he said.
The Northern Military Commander, General Guilherme, followed some exercises in the field, analyzing the troops’ reaction power in simulated situations. “It’s a specialized jungle troop, so the requirements are different, there are several topics to be addressed and checked. It is a great satisfaction to be able to see the preparation and dedication of the members of this subunit,” he concluded.