The milestone flight was attended by the Commander of V COMAR, Major General Vincent Dang
Air Force Agency – Squadron Pampa, by Lieutenant Bentes
On Monday morning (18/03), the First Squadron of the Fourteenth Aviation Group (1º/14º GAV), the Pampa Squadron, achieved an exceptional feat in Military Aviation: 100,000 flight hours in F-5 aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). This milestone is evidence of the commitment and dedication of the Pampa Squadron’s personnel in the service of Brazil.
The Pampa Squadron is a fighter unit that contributes to maintaining the sovereignty of Brazil’s airspace. Located at Canoas Air Base (BACO), in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the Squadron has operated several fighter aircraft throughout its history, including the current F-5M, a modernized version of the F-5 Tiger II fighter.
The historic flight took place with five aircraft and was attended by the Commander of the Fifth Regional Air Command (V COMAR), Major General Vincent Dang.
At the exact moment when the 100,000 hours of the Pampa Squadron’s F-5s were completed in flight, the Commander of the 1st/14th GAV, Lieutenant Colonel André Navarro de Lima Guimarães, radioed. “At this moment, the Squadron has reached the remarkable milestone of 100,000 hours flown in F-5 aircraft. This unique achievement was made possible thanks to the effort and dedication of everyone, pilots, maintainers, controllers and administrative support, from yesterday and today, who, with their work, often silent, made and make this Squadron what it is. And may there be many more hours flown by the 1º/14º GAV. To the Hunt! Pampa!” he declared.
After landing, the pilots were welcomed by the BACO Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Thiago Romanelli Rodrigues; by the Pampa Squadron staff; by family members; by the BACO Music Band and by aviation admirers.
During the reception, Major General Dang expressed his joy. “I would first like to thank Lieutenant Colonel Navarro for giving me the unique opportunity, twenty-five years after my last F-5 flight, to return to the cockpit of this fantastic fighter. This has given me an oxygenation and rejuvenation that, for me, is priceless. Even more so considering this special situation, a historic achievement for the 1st/14th Aviation Group, when it reached the significant milestone of 100,000 F-5 hours, which must be dedicated to all the members of this Air Unit, from yesterday and today, Officers, Graduates and Squares, who contributed to achieving this moment,” he said.
Continuing the commemorative program, the monument to the 100,000 F-5 hours of the Pampa Squadron was inaugurated by the Commanders of V COMAR, BACO and 1º/14º GAV, marking the moment in FAB history.
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The F-5 has had a rich history in the Pampa Squadron since its arrival in 1976, demonstrating its versatility and reliability. It has thus become a fundamental part of the Brazilian Aerospace Defense System (SISDABRA). With the modernization of the project, the F-5M has avionics, airborne systems and armaments that enable it to operate in complex scenarios.
Photos: Pampa Squadron *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***