All actions in the operation are carried out jointly by several agencies of the Federal Government
Cmdo Op Cj Amz, by Lt. Johny Lucas and Cap Emília Maria
Begun on February 3 and reaching 100 days this Sunday (14), Operation Yanomami, in terms of logistics, is already the largest action performed after Operation Covid-19 involving the Armed Forces and other agencies of the Federal Government, not only by the aerial effort employed, but also by the dimensions of the Yanomami Indigenous Land. The operation is being conducted by the Amazon Joint Operational Command (Cmdo Op Cj Amz) in Roraima.
The Yanomami Indigenous Land is 96.7 thousand square kilometers and is equivalent to the size of some countries like Hungary (93 thousand square kilometers) and Portugal (92 thousand square kilometers). Furthermore, it is an area larger than territories such as Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Israel.
In three months, the Operation has already surpassed 4,000 flight hours and over 1 million 100 thousand kilometers traveled, with trips from Boa Vista to Surucucu (328 kilometers), and from Boa Vista to Auaris (445 kilometers). In 90 days of operation, the distance covered would be enough to make more than 29 complete rounds around the world.
As the main emergency issues are solved and the stabilization of these situations occurs, the temporary support provided by the Armed Forces can be demobilized. An example of this was the field hospital in Boa Vista, which ended its activities after providing more than 2 thousand consultations and helping to balance the local health system.
Logistical challenges
There are several logistical challenges in Operation Yanomami. To reach the more than 300 villages located in the Indigenous Land, for example, it is necessary to use helicopters such as the UH-15 Super Cougar, from the Brazilian Navy; the HM-2 Black Hawk, from the Brazilian Army; the H-36 Caracal and the H-60 Black Hawk, from the Brazilian Air Force, as these are the aircraft that meet the requirements of autonomy to operate in the vast area of the Yanomami Indigenous Land.
Thus, more than 2,000 medical consultations were carried out; more than 160 aeromedical evacuations; 95 indigenous people returned to their villages after being discharged; more than 450,000 kg of supplies were transported to the Yanomami region, including medicines, materials to assist the indigenous people and food supplies – more than 20,000 baskets of basic food supplies have already been delivered, with another 12,000 expected over the next few months.
In addition, the Cmdo Op Cj Amz has provided transport support to the Federal Police, the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the National Force, among other interagency support.
In combating illegal mining, the Cmdo Op Cj Amz has contributed by means of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (IVR) actions so that the PF, PRF, Ibama and the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) and FN deactivate the main mines, seize irregular aircraft, power generators, hydraulic motors, chainsaws, satellite communication antennas, among others.
Photos and Infographics: CECOMSAER