Several active and inactive mines, unapproved airstrips and cassiterite mineral exploration have already been identified
Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Johny Lucas
The Amazon Joint Operational Command (Cmdo Op Cj Amz), through the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), has intensified its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (IVR) actions in the areas of illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land (TIY), in Roraima (RR).
During Operation Yanomami, the Air Force has identified several active and inactive mines, unapproved airstrips and cassiterite mineral exploration. With this, the Cmdo Op Cj Amz has contributed so that the Federal Police (PF), the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) and the National Force (FN), deactivate the main mines, destroy irregular aircraft and seize materials to support the miners, such as power generators, hydraulic motors, chainsaws, satellite communication antennas, among others.
The cycle of intelligence knowledge generation involves data collection, image processing, and report production. Once the targets of interest have been identified, the information is passed on to the Federal Police and IBAMA, which start acting on the spot. After neutralization, the information is sent to the Cmdo Op Cj Amz, which again analyzes the intelligence cycle, and starts monitoring the reactivation of illegal mineral extraction actions.
Finally, Cmdo Op Cj Amz’s actions maintain the purpose of making the Unknown Air Traffic (TAD) unviable by applying Airspace Policing Measures (APEA) and neutralizing irregular aircraft on the ground, together with other federal government agencies.
Air Defense Identification Zone
The implementation of the ZIDA in the airspace of the Northern Region was established based on the Presidential Decree N° 11.405/2023, regarding the combat against illegal mining. This action reinforced the response to the Public Health Emergency of National Importance and the fight against illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land, as it contributes to airspace control and prevents irregular flights in support of illegal mining. And by means of Decree No. 710, the Joint Operational Command Amazon (Cmdo Op Cj Amz) was activated by the Ministry of Defense to act in the area of the State of Roraima and the portion of the State of Amazonas.
To allow better control of air traffic in the ZIDA, the airspace was divided into three areas: a reserved area (White Area); a restricted area (Yellow Area); and a prohibited area (Red Area), the latter coinciding with the Yanomami reservation, where only aircraft involved in the Operation are allowed to operate, whether they are military or at the service of the various government agencies involved.
Detection and Interception of aircraft by FAB
The FAB, through the Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE), is responsible for the Brazilian Aerospace Defense System (SISDABRA), which meets the needs of Brazil to control and exercise actions against air movements in circulation through the Brazilian Airspace that are in conflict with national interests or in disagreement with the rules and regulations in force, both in peacetime and in an eventual conflict.
The surveillance of Brazilian airspace is carried out 24 hours a day by the FAB by means of a network of radars that cover the Brazilian airspace. In addition to the traffic control carried out through this equipment, FAB uses E-99 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft to detect aircraft flying at very low altitudes, which would not be naturally detected by ground radar.
Joint operation destroys aircraft in illegal mining
In the first action to combat illegal air traffic after the deactivation of legal air corridors in the Yanomami Indigenous Lands (TIY), a joint operation between the Armed Forces, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and the Federal Highway Police (PRF) destroyed an aircraft on the ground and arrested two men in a clandestine airstrip of illegal mining, [Click here to download the original image] southeast of Surucucu (RR), near the border with Venezuela.
Deflagrated from Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (IVR) actions, the agents landed at the location, on Thursday night (06/05), in a Brazilian Navy (MB) helicopter, using night vision equipment called NVG (Night Vision Goggles).
[In a quick and effective action, the agents arrested the suspects and set fire to the aircraft. After neutralization, the team returned to Boa Vista (RR), where the two individuals were handed over to the competent police authorities.
Air corridors inside the ZIDA will be deactivated
In response to an inter-ministerial decision, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will deactivate the corridors within the Air Defense Identification Zone (ZIDA), established in the airspace on Yanomami indigenous land, at 9pm Brasilia time on April 6th.
As a result, air traffic will once again be prohibited in the red area of the ZIDA, from ground level up to level 055, with the exception of military aircraft or those at the service of government agencies involved in Operation Yanomami, provided that they have previously undergone the flight authorization process.
As a result, all aircraft that do not comply with the established requirements and rules will be subject to airspace policing measures. [Click here to download the original image]
Within the Operation, in order to enable better control of air traffic, the Air Defense Identification Zone (ZIDA) was deployed by the Brazilian Air Force in the airspace of the Northern Region, based on Presidential Decree No. 11,405/2023. The ZIDA was divided into three areas: a reserved area (White Area); a restricted area (Yellow Area); and a prohibited area (Red Area), the latter coinciding with the Yanomami reservation.
The rules are regulated by FAB by means of NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions), which informs the aviation community about the operation.
