With the H-36 Caracal and H-60L Black Hawk aircraft, the military are ready for rescues in jungle and mountain areas, as well as water environments, day or night
Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Gabrielle Varela
ince the heroic rescue of missionaries in the Republic of Congo, carried out by military personnel on peace missions for the United Nations (UN) in 1964, the Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) rotary wings have evolved considerably. Today, the FAB has state-of-the-art technology in its aircraft, providing safety and a prompt response to the demands of the Brazilian population.
The technology on board the H-36 Caracal and H-60L Black Hawk, such as Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) – infrared forward vision sensor, Night Vision Goggles (NVG) – night vision goggles, as well as precise navigation systems, allow the crew to carry out, in addition to Search and Rescue missions, Air Exfiltration and Infiltration, Logistical Air Transport, Aeromedical Evacuation and Combat Search and Rescue. All this always with the binomial on display: Operability with Safety.
The routine of a Search and Rescue Operational Unit is complex, given the wide variety of biomes in which Brazil is located. The crews involved need to be trained in rescues in jungle and mountain areas, as well as aquatic environments during the day and at night. It is worth remembering that the extensive area of responsibility of the Aeronautical Search and Rescue System (SISSAR) comprises an area of approximately 22 million km².
The Commander of the Seventh Fleet of the Eighth Aviation Group (7º/8º) – Harpia Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Herhic Rabelo Alves Pereira, described the operational challenges of a specialized Unit prepared to answer society’s call.
“The versatility of the helicopter brings with it the challenge of keeping crews operational and adapted to a huge range of complex missions with varied profiles. Constant training is therefore essential. The challenge then lies in striking a balance between carrying out real missions and training and keeping the crew operational,” explained the Commander.
For Lieutenant Colonel Rabelo, one of the strengths of this aviation is the ability to explore confined spaces without any structure. “This ability is essential, especially in our giant Amazon, where remote places, hamlets and isolated villages are only reached by the FAB’s rotary wings. In them, the Brazilian government brings medical treatment, vaccines and food to millions of isolated Brazilians, showing how important they are in the national context,” he added.
The Commander of the Harpy Squadron served in the unit from the very first years of his career as an Aviator Officer and now, as a Senior Officer, he is in Command of one of the main Fleets of Rotary Wing Aviation in Brazil and considers this a unique moment in his career.
“This is an opportunity with a lot of responsibility and the awareness to lead the Fleet wisely. I chose this aviation because of the operational nature of helicopters in the FAB. Here, we have the opportunity to use an armed platform in combat rescue missions, flying with night vision goggles, as well as saving lives in rescues on land or at sea, and bringing aid to the population in times of need,” he concluded.
The FAB currently has eight rotary-wing squadrons throughout Brazil: the First Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (1°/8° GAV) – Falcão Squadron; the Second Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (2º/8° GAV) – Poti Squadron; the Third Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (3°/8° GAV) – Puma Squadron; the Fifth Squadron of the Eighth Aviation Group (5°/8° GAV) – Pantera Squadron; the Seventh Fleet of the Eighth Aviation Group (7º/8º GAV) – Harpy Squadron; the Second Squadron of the Tenth Aviation Group (2°/10° GAV) – Pelican Squadron; the First Squadron of the Eleventh Aviation Group (1°/11° GAV) – Hawkeye Squadron; the Third Squadron of the Special Transportation Group (GTE 3).
*** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI team ***