FAB is fundamental for the air launches with the use of aircraft and helicopters
Agata Northern Border Joint Command
Operation Agata Northern Border, a joint effort by the Brazilian Navy (MB), the Brazilian Army (EB), the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the Federal Police (PF), the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA), the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) and other participating agencies, continues to provide humanitarian aid in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory (TIY) in the state of Roraima. Since the beginning of the activities, the Brazilian Air Force has driven a relevant historical record for the Brazilian Army, by reaching the highest activity of aerial launching of supplies in its entire history, now surpassing the mark of 500 tons of cargo launched from the 4th Special Border Platoon in Surucucu (4th PEF Surucucu), with the support of FAB aircraft.
The launchings were carried out by the 8th Contingent of the Folding Battalion Maintenance Parachute and Air Support (B DOMPSA), representing the Parachute Infantry Brigade (Bda Inf Pqdt). The loads are prepared at Boa Vista Air Base by a team composed of load preparation inspectors and assemblers. The equipment and parachutes are placed under the loads assembled in the CDS (Container Delivery System) method. Each CDS weighs approximately 560 kg and is prepared for FAB’s C-105 Amazonas or KC-390 Millenium aircraft, which are essential for this support in TIY.
Air Distribution
In Roraima, the challenge is great, since the distance from the Surucucu Launch Zone to the city of Boa Vista is more than 300 km, as the crow flies, through dense forests. In addition, landing in Surucucu is not always feasible, due to the degraded infrastructure conditions of the runway. Therefore, the only way to deliver the food baskets to Surucucu is by using aircraft equipped with loading ramps, which open during the flight to allow aerial launches. On the ground, the ground teams collect the CDS with the food baskets and materials launched. Then, the baskets are loaded onto FAB, Army and Navy helicopters, which take off to make the deliveries to several indigenous villages, such as Paa Piu, Auaris, Olomai, Onkioula, Palimiú and Halikatou, among others.
“The work of distributing food baskets to the indigenous people is only possible thanks to the integration and joint work between the Armed Forces and the other agencies involved. Each one does their part in a collective effort, whose results are potentiated in favor of humanitarian aid to those who depend on our actions. In this way, the Brazilian State makes itself present, and we fulfill the mission,” reported Brigadier General Carlos Alberto Rodrigues Pimentel, Sub-Commander of the Ágata Fronteira Norte Joint Command.
Photos: Agate North Border Joint Command