The KC-390 SAR Technical Exercise runs until August 30 and is coordinated by the Gordo Squadron, from Galeão Air Base (RJ).
Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Gabrielle Varela
Florianópolis Air Base hosted the KC-390 SAR Technical Exercise, which took place between August 15 and August 30. The maneuver uses the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft operated by the First Squadron of the First Transport Group (1st/1st GT) – the Gordo Squadron – based at the Galeão Air Base (BAGL) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
In the training, each crew member trains for a specific objective in their role. The pilots learn how to make search patterns, the observers learn visual scanning techniques, how to handle the special search door (a window with a “bubble”), the special equipment operators handle the POD, and so on.
The use of the KC-390 Millennium represents a major operational leap forward in search missions, since it is a higher performance aircraft and has an electro-optical POD, equipment that allows thermal images to be captured, laser designation to aid in rescues, among other on-board technologies that facilitate the search.
The KC-390 Millennium is the search platform. In addition to a piece of equipment called the Electro-Optical POD, which has a range of imaging, laser designation and thermal imaging capabilities, crew members (SAR Observers) are used for the visual search. There are four observation points, arranged on the sides of the aircraft, so that these observers can have visual contact with the terrain throughout the flight.
“Our aim here is to train the crews to carry out one of the noblest missions in Transport Aviation, which is Search and Rescue (SAR). As a fixed-wing aircraft, we operate in the search sector, in situations where there is a search object, such as a crashed aircraft, a drifting vessel or a man overboard. Depending on the specific nature of each incident, one search pattern may be more effective than another. The important thing is that every point in the area of assignment is covered by the aircraft. As an example of patterns, we practiced the crescent square, comb and parallel routes,” explained Gordo Squadron pilot, Captain Wesclei Lins Pereira.
This action is usually triggered by SALVAERO or SALVAMAR, as soon as there is an accident with a vector that has declared an emergency or has lost radar contact and has not reached its destination in the allotted time. The agency triggering the search issues a briefing containing the information and characteristics we need to identify the object of the search, the number of people on board, etc. They also determine the geographical coordinates for the start and the search patterns to be used.
Depending on the specific nature of each incident, one pattern may be more effective than another. The important thing is that every point in the designation area is covered by the aircraft. As examples of patterns, we practiced the crescent square, comb, parallel routes, etc.
Photos: The Gordo Squadron