The objective is to train Squadrons for Search and Rescue
Agência Força Aérea, by Lieutenant Wanessa Liz
From Thursday (April 27) until May 12, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will conduct, at the Florianópolis Air Base (BAFL), the Operational Exercise (EXOP – Exercício Operacional) Carranca, an operational action coordinated by the Preparatory Command (COMPREP – Comando de Preparo), by the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA – Departamento de Controle do Espaço Aéreo), and conducted by the Canoas Air Base (BACO). In all, more than 200 military personnel are participating in the training.
EXOP CARRANCA is an activity whose objective is to train the participating squadrons in the execution and improvement of tactics, techniques and procedures necessary to fulfill the Search and Rescue Air Force Action, in land and sea scenarios.
In this context, the Exercise will be based on scenario-based training, getting as close as possible to situations commonly found in Search and Rescue missions. To this end, recent SAR actions will be studied and the most complex scenarios will be recreated, or those in which the Squadrons had more difficulty, obviously respecting logistical limitations.
The EXOP CARRANCA involves the First Squadron of the Seventh Aviation Group (1º/7th GAV) – Orungan Squadron; the Second Squadron of the Seventh Aviation Group (2º/7th GAV) – Phoenix Squadron; the Third Squadron of the Seventh Aviation Group (3º/7º GAV) – Netuno Squadron; the Second Squadron of the Tenth Aviation Group (2º/10º GAV) – Pelican Squadron; the Airborne Rescue Squadron (EAS – Esquadrão Aeroterrestre de Salvamento) – PARASAR; the Search and Rescue Division (DSAR) – DECEA) the First Squadron of the First Command and Control Group (1º/1st GCC) – Profeta Squadron; the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centers (SALVAERO – Brasília, Curitiba, Recife and Manaus) and the Navy Search and Rescue Service (SALVAMARAUL – of the 5th Naval District Command of the Brazilian Navy), whose deployed means are under the Operational Control of the BACO Commander and Director of EXOP CARRANCA, Aviator Colonel Marcelo Zampier Bussmann.
The exchange of experiences in Search and Rescue Action among the participating squadrons is of fundamental importance. In order to achieve this, there will be an interchange of crew members from different Squadrons.
In his words, Aviator Colonel Marcelo Zampier Bussmann spoke about the relevance of the Exercise for the population and its execution. “Operation CARRANCA is very important to the Brazilian Air Force, because it is the opportunity we have to prepare our Search and Rescue crews. This mission is extremely relevant to the Brazilian society, because it is composed of a very specific scenario and contributes to all the training operations that improve the efficiency of our crews in this mission”, he said.
The BAFL Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Jaques da Silva Valle, highlighted the importance of hosting the Exercise and explains about the peculiarities of the region. “EXOP CARRANCA has the characteristic of being an exercise focused on Search and Rescue training, and here, at the Florianópolis Air Base, geographically there is a very peculiar characteristic of allowing several types of training within a short radius of action.
So, for the Operational Exercise, I understand that the possibility to train, in this space, several types of exercises is very useful, with the optimization of air resources and, mainly, for the Air Base, the importance is to keep within its assignment and the fulfillment of its mission, keeping its operationality, not only for the teams that operate here, but also for the personnel to keep trained and available for the demands that the Air Force needs”, he explained.
During the first day of the Exercise, the military got together for Academic Day: a period in which the teams exchange information and experiences about tactics, techniques and procedures related to Search and Rescue.
Photos: Sergeant Figueira / CECOMSAER