Major Joyce is the first woman to take command of a FAB air unitMajor Joyce is the first woman to take command of a FAB air unit

By taking command of the 1st/1st Transportation Group, the FAB pilot makes history in the Brazilian Air Force

Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Eniele Santos

From January 15, 2025, Major Joyce de Souza Conceição will take command of the First Squadron of the First Transport Group (1st/1st GT) – Gordo Squadron – of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), based at Galeão Air Base (BAGL), in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), becoming the first woman to command an Air Unit in the history of the FAB. This historic appointment, made official on July 9, 2024, is a milestone for the participation of women in the Brazilian Armed Forces and reinforces Major Joyce’s pioneering and leadership career.

Overcoming and Pioneering

Born in Manaus, Amazonas (AM), Major Joyce joined the FAB in 2003, graduating as an Aspiring Aviator Officer in December 2006, as part of the first class of female aviators at the Air Force Academy (AFA). Since the beginning of her career, Major Joyce has stood out for her competence, dedication and, above all, for the barriers she has broken at every stage of her career, becoming a reference point for the more than 13,000 women in the FAB military.

“Being part of the first class of female aviation officers was a challenge and a great responsibility. The adaptation to flying and the complete training during the two years of air activity required additional dedication. During my time at the Air Force Academy, I believe that the group spirit, especially with my classmates, as well as the professionalism of the AFA instructors, were key factors in overcoming the difficulties,” she says.

After graduating as an aviator from AFA, she specialized in Transport Aviation, completing the course in 2007. In the following years, she worked in northern Brazil, flying the C-98 Caravan and C-97 Brasília aircraft. During this time, he faced the challenges posed by the vast distances and adverse conditions of the Amazon region, always with competence and skill in his missions.

“My time flying in the Amazon, in the Seventh Air Transport Squadron, was a huge learning experience. I had the opportunity to carry out countless missions in which only by means of air support could the riverside populations be served. The operation often took place on restricted runways and in adverse weather conditions typical of the Amazon. When I carried out the transportation of medicines, vaccines and various supplies, I understood the importance of the work carried out by the Armed Forces in that inhospitable region, a Brazil that few people know about and that I had the privilege of getting to know,” he says.

Historic achievements

In 2012, while still a lieutenant, she made history by becoming the first Brazilian aviator qualified to fly the C-130 Hercules, one of the FAB’s most emblematic aircraft. This achievement established her as one of the institution’s leading aviators, paving the way for even more complex missions.

And in the Gordo Squadron, then Major Joyce had a career with major milestones. In 2016, at the rank of Captain, she became the first Brazilian woman to land in Antarctica, achieving a historic feat in aviation.

According to Major Joyce, carrying out missions in support of the Brazilian Antarctic Program was a source of great pride for her. “I consider it the culmination and crowning achievement of my operational career as a C-130 pilot in the Gordo Squadron, a unit of enormous tradition and operational importance within the Air Force. The challenges of the unstable weather on the Antarctic Peninsula, with restricted visibility and ceiling conditions, as well as winds in excess of 100km/h, demanded experience and expertise from the entire team,” she says.

Leadership and challenges

Major Joyce’s appointment to the Command of the 1st/1st GT is recognition of her leadership skills, technical competence and commitment to the institution’s missions. Between 2021 and 2022, as a Major, she served as the Squadron’s Operations Officer, coordinating operational activities in a unit with complex and challenging missions, and now she is thrilled to have the opportunity to return to flying, now aboard the KC-390 aircraft, which replaced the legendary C-130s, and which has demonstrated its ability to carry out the various types of missions assigned to the Squadron more quickly and efficiently.

“Being chosen to command the First Squadron of the First Transport Group, the Gordo Squadron, was a great thrill, and I felt very grateful for the Air Force’s recognition of my work. The unit I will be commanding is one of the most operational and carries out numerous missions of relevance to the country, especially in times of crisis, as demonstrated by its participation in Operation Taquari II in 2024, following the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. In addition, the unit routinely carries out operational missions such as cargo and paratrooper launches, in-flight refueling, search and rescue and in-flight firefighting,” says the Major.

Recognition

Major Joyce’s appointment to the command of Gordo Squadron is not only a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the progress made in promoting female participation within the Armed Forces. Her ascension to the command of such an important Air Unit symbolizes the role of women in military institutions, as well as serving as a source of inspiration for new generations of women and men who wish to pursue a career in the Armed Forces.

“I look forward to two years of many challenges, in which I intend to lead my Unit to continue to be a benchmark in preparedness, readiness, professionalism and safety, maintaining excellence in the use of the KC-390 aircraft, anytime, anywhere, wherever Brazil needs it. And for the women who want to join the Air Force and who aspire to one day command an air squadron, I can attest that the sky is vast and there is room for all of us. The path is not easy, but courage, determination and preparation are the most powerful weapons with which I have faced the challenges throughout my career so far. Keep dreaming, flying and challenging the limits, and you will certainly be able to fly higher and higher,” concludes the Commander of the 1st/1st GT.

The Gordo Squadron

The First Squadron of the First Transport Group (1st/1st GT) – Gordo Squadron – is one of the most traditional and strategic units of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), with an essential mission for logistical operations. Its responsibilities include transporting troops, cargo and supplies, as well as humanitarian support, defense and rescue missions. Over the years, the unit has stood out in times of crisis, sending humanitarian aid to countries affected by natural disasters and carrying out transportation missions in conflict zones, consolidating itself as a fundamental pillar for Brazil’s projection of power and assistance on the global stage. Based in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), at the Galeão Air Base, the Gordo Squadron has played a key role in various operations, both at home and abroad.

The Gordo Squadron operates the KC-390 Millennium, a state-of-the-art aircraft developed by Embraer, which has brought a significant leap forward in terms of capacity and versatility. With the capacity to carry up to 26 tons of cargo, the KC-390 is ideal for strategic transport missions and can operate on short, unprepared runways. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with modern in-flight refueling systems and is capable of carrying out operations in extreme conditions, such as firefighting and search and rescue missions. With the KC-390, the Gordo Squadron has established itself as a vital force for the FAB, maintaining its operational excellence and expanding its capacity to meet Brazil’s logistical needs anywhere in the world.

Photos: Private Lima Marins – COMAR III and Archive.

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