About 100 American military personnel arrived this weekend at Campo Grande Air Base (BACG) to take part in the simulated war exercise promoted by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB)
Air Force Agency, by Aspirante Roberta Nunes
For the second consecutive year, aircraft from the United States Air Force (USAF) are part of Joint Exercise Tápio. On Saturday (Aug. 20), the Boeing C-17 Globemaster, a large cargo aircraft, arrived at Campo Grande Air Base (BACG), in Mato Grosso do Sul, bringing three examples of modern HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. On Sunday (Aug. 21), it was the turn of the Hercules (HC-130J Combat King II) to land on South Mato Grosso do Sul soil.
Since 2018, the Americans have visited the BACG and since 2021 have effectively participated in the Exercise. In this 5th edition, there will be joint flights (American aircraft being escorted by Brazilian aircraft), exchange flights (American military in Brazilian aircraft and Brazilian military in American aircraft) and, also, participation of Americans in EXCON manning, i.e., helping to build the training scenarios.
The participation of the American National Guard from New York and Oregon
During the period from August 20 to 30, the American National Guard from New York, Oregon and Idaho (NYANG, ORANG and IDANG) will join EXCON by bringing Air Force employment capabilities in an irregular warfare environment. In addition, this exchange opportunity allows FAB to evolve doctrinally with the TTPs (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures) of an armed force that is constantly being tested in the global scenario against this type of threat.
Approximately 100 U.S. military personnel from various specialties will participate in the exercise. The three HH-60G Pave Hawk and the HC-130 Combat King II will be used in Personal Recovery, which encompasses several personnel recovery actions, including CSAR – Combat Search and Rescue.
For the Chief of the Doctrine and Evaluation Section of the BACG, Air Captain Raphael Lopes Rosa, this exchange of knowledge and experiences with friendly forces is very important for the improvement of FAB. “Modern warfare has changed a lot in recent years, and this is an opportunity to learn more from the Americans about how to act in these conflicts. And, for them, it is an opportunity for training, since the EXCON Tápio scenario is very close to the one they train in,” he explains.
Interoperability
Since 2021, the activity has been called EXCON, because it counts on the participation of the other Armed Forces. The Exercise Director and BACG Commander, Air Brigadier Clauco Fernando Vieira Rossetto, explains that the change aims to demonstrate the importance of interoperability for the country’s defense. “We have here the participation of the three Forces, because it is a joint exercise. The Navy, Army, and Air Force participate in the exercise, and it is also combined, to the extent that we have the effective participation of US military personnel with us. This is essential, not only for our sovereignty, but also for the training of actions, mainly by the Air Force, but always with the support and participation of the other Forces. Each one in its own environment, but integrated, especially when the issue is Combat Search and Rescue and preparation for United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, activities that require this interaction,” said Brigadier Rossetto.
Photos: Bianca Viol / CECOMSAER *** Translated by the DEFCONPress team ***
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Fotos: Bianca Viol / CECOMSAER