The objective of REVO-CAÇA 2023¹ was to train the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) Squadrons for the peculiarities of this type of mission
Air Force Agency – V COMAR, Lt. Letícia
The Canoas Air Base (BACO) held, between April 3 and 14, the Technical Exercise REVO-CAÇA 2023¹, which trained squadrons of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for In-flight Refueling (IFR) of aircraft. The training aimed to train pilots and crews to the peculiarities of this type of mission, and to optimize the operational capacity of the FAB, allowing a faster and more efficient performance throughout the national territory.
The First Squadron of the Fourteenth Aviation Group (1º/14th GAV) – Pampa Squadron, from Canoas, participated in the training, with its F-5M aircraft; the First Fighter Aviation Group (1º GAVCA), based at Santa Cruz Air Base (BASC), located in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), also with F-5M aircraft; the First Squadron of the Tenth Aviation Group (1º/10º GAV) – Poker Squadron and the Third Squadron of the Tenth Aviation Group (3º/10º GAV) – Centaur Squadron, both based in Santa Maria (RS), with A-1M aircraft; and the First Squadron of the First Transport Group (1º/1° GT) – Gordo Squadron, based at Galeão Air Base (BAGL), with the KC-390 aircraft.
Captain Aviator Felipe Macedo da Cruz, pilot of the KC-390 refueling aircraft, explained that, for this type of mission, there is all the coordination before the flight with the pilots of the receiving aircraft and, also, with the respective air traffic control center. “For refueling, a reserved area is selected for the activity and the procedures are agreed upon during the flight, both in normal situations and in possible emergencies,” he explained.
Near the refueling moment, the aircraft perform the “rendez-vous”, a maneuver that allows the receiving aircraft to meet the refueling aircraft. During the procedure, there is also the approach of the refueling hose, stowed under the aircraft’s wing, which will be extended moments before the transfer. This equipment is called Wing Air-to-Air Refueling Pod (WAARP) and thus, in synchrony with the refueling aircraft’s flight, the pilot of the fighter aircraft connects the refueling tube (known as probe) to the basket, obtaining the fuel that will allow for more time in flight.
The valves used on both the probes and the baskets follow a NATO international standard, where one tanker aircraft can refuel several aircraft. The basket has a safety system so that, in case of sudden movements, or in case of a storm, if there is a risk of breakage, a valve prevents the fuel from leaking out.
REVO (IFR)
The training of the crews in in-flight refueling missions allows them to enhance the range and penetration characteristics in the various Air Force actions that can be assigned to the fighter squadrons, expanding the combat power of the Brazilian Air Force
Photos: V COMAR
¹REVO-CAÇA: Aerial Refueling (IFR), REVO in portuguese, Caça – Fighter in portuguese