Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Letícia Faria and Major Oliveira Lima
The visit of the Minister of Defense, Army General Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, accompanied by the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Air Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, to Joint Exercise Tápio 2022 took place on Monday (Aug. 29), at Campo Grande Air Base (BACG), in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS). The delegation, also composed of General-Officers from the Brazilian Navy, the Brazilian Army and the Air Force High Command, and Commanders from the United States Air Force (USAF), got to know the structure of the Exercise, which is considered one of the largest training exercises conducted by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
The authorities were received by the Commander of Campo Grande Air Base, Air Brigadier Clauco Fernando Vieira Rossetto. The delegation participated in a briefing on the missions performed in the exercise and also watched an Operational Demonstration (DEMOP) of Combat Search and Rescue Task Force (FTCSAR), a mission that aims to recover a person valuable to the friendly war effort and prevent a possible strategic advantage to the enemy. They also visited the static exhibition, where there were combat aircraft, examples of the Lizard, the laser-guided bomb that provides precision in launches, and also got to know the Scenario and Operational Performance Evaluation Cells (CADO), set up in the tents of the Command and Control Group (GCC).
In the occasion, the Minister of Defense highlighted the importance of the Tápio, especially for the opportunity to promote the interaction between the Armed Forces of Brazil and the United States of America. “It is the very essence of our Ministry of Defense, which seeks this interoperability among the Armed Forces of Brazil and, when possible, with a friendly nation, which is what we are seeing here in Campo Grande. This Tápio exercise is in its fifth edition, with almost one thousand military personnel and more than 30 aircraft present. So it is very important for the Ministry of Defense and for our Armed Forces, especially when we have a military power like the United States of America, which comes to integrate with our Forces, with doctrinal gain, training, and exchange of experiences,” said Army General Paulo Sérgio.
For the FAB Commander, another edition of Tápio happens to provide the development of new tactics, techniques and procedures. “It is also another opportunity we have to act in a joint environment, that is, of the three Forces, but also combined with the participation of the United States National Guard and the State of New York. Logically, besides being a privilege, bringing civil and military authorities here to witness this process is very important for us and for them as Brazilian citizens,” said Lieutenant Brigadier Baptista Junior.
The Preparedness Command (COMPREP) is the coordinator of Tápio. The Preparedness Commander, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Sergio Roberto de Almeida, explained the relevance of maintaining the training. “More and more we are consolidating Exercise Tápio as fundamental for the development of doctrines for our Air Force, our Brazilian Army, for the Brazilian Navy, and now, in the context of irregular warfare, also with the participation of the USAF, which complements our Exercise. Today we have reached a level of excellence in this type of operation that can be used in almost any conflict,” he added.
About Tápio
EXCON Tápio aims at the maturation and doctrinal development of joint tactics, besides the technical training of Military Units of the Preparatory Command (COMPREP) of the FAB, the Brazilian Navy, the Brazilian Army and partner countries. All of this is aimed at contributing to world order and peace and international commitments, the guarantee of sovereignty, territorial integrity and patrimonial defense and humanitarian aid and mitigation of the effects of disasters. Among the activities performed in Tápio are Attack, Aerospace Reconnaissance, Airborne Infiltration, Combat Search and Rescue, Flight Refueling, Close Air Support, Parachute and Cargo Launch, and Aeromedical Evacuation.
Video: Sergeant Ronan / CECOMSAER – Photos: Sergeant Müller and Sergeant Viegas / CECOMSAER and Private Sebalho /BACG
*** Translated by the DEFCONPress Team ***