This May, Operation Guide 2023 brought together Mountain Infantry troops for a field training exercise. The objective of the training is to permanently train the units subordinated to the 4th Mountain Light Infantry Brigade, located in the mountainous region of Zona da Mata. During twelve days, the combatants, organized in reconnaissance platoons, performed a series of activities typical of the mountain environment.
The reconnaissance platoons have the mission of assisting their commanders in selecting an infiltration route and identifying climbing routes in Mountain Operations. They are responsible for bridging rocky obstacles and equipping routes, as well as conducting reconnaissance and surveillance actions for intelligence production and target acquisition.
During operations, these mountain combatants are able to monitor regions of interest as well as interdict or neutralize targets on the ground. By assuming forward positions, they are able to identify targets and conduct ground or air fires against enemy positions. The reconnaissance platoons also carry out mountain rescue and security operations.
The first phase of Operation Guide was carried out in Juiz de Fora (MG), between May 8 and 12, aiming at technical-operational leveling. Surveillance techniques, pre-hospital care, communications, immediate action techniques, and hunter techniques were covered.
The second phase consisted in the simulation of a war operation in an external defense scenario. Carried out between May 13 and 19, in the region of the municipalities of Bom Jardim de Minas, Olaria, and Santa Rita do Jacutinga, in Minas Gerais, these exercises put into practice the combat Maneuver, Intelligence, Logistics, and Command and Control functions in a mountain operational environment.
Throughout Operation Guide, the military carried out activities such as aeromobile infiltration, use of hunters, ground infiltration, and logistical resupply. The troops were subjected to the harsh weather and mountainous terrain, which can only be overcome through the exercise of leadership and physical effort.
The platoons performed all missions as expected, demonstrating the level of preparedness of the troop specialized in mountain operations. The mountain combatants are heirs to the traditions of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, which during World War II fought in Monte Castelo and in other mountainous regions of Italy.
