Another day is ing by in Santa Catarina, however, within the apparent order and tranquility, there is always room for risky or emergency situations. It is late morning in Florianópolis, the state capital. A major police incident is underway. A bank robbery in the city center mobilizes several Military Police units. In pursuit of the criminals, aerial from the “Águia 2” helicopter is requested. Within minutes, the aircraft is in the air and with a privileged view of the entire scene, it plays a key role in the action, ing on valuable information to the ground teams, resulting in the encirclement and arrest of the robbers. Almost at the same time, the “Águia 5” takes off from Hercílio Luz International Airport, with the responsibility of transporting an organ for transplant to the city of Chapecó, approximately 400 kilometers from the capital of Santa Catarina. In just over an hour, the plane reaches its destination, ensuring the success of the mission. In another part of the state, during a routine patrol flight in the rural area of Lages, the “Águia 1” helicopter identified a large deforestation in a conservation area, reporting the incident to the environmental protection and inspection agencies. In the early afternoon, a drowning incident occurred on the central beach of Balneário Camboriú, requiring the intervention of the “Águia 4”. The helicopter was quickly activated and rescued the victim. Shortly after, in the north of the state, a serious accident on the BR-7 highway required the presence of the “Águia 101” to transport a person in serious condition to a hospital in the city of ville.
The situations you have just read are all fictitious, but they illustrate very well the daily lives of the air force teams of the Santa Catarina Military Police and the dynamism of the activities in which they are involved day in and day out, every day. For almost 40 years, this has been the daily routine of the Air Unit and its Companies spread throughout the state of Santa Catarina. Vigilant eyes and protective wings, they play a fundamental role in society, as reflected in their motto: “Fly to Serve!”. From now on, in an exclusive article prepared by the Aviação em Floripa website, you can learn a little about the history, structure, aircraft and much more information about the Military Police Aviation Battalion. Enjoy your reading!
In the early 80s, the state of Santa Catarina, especially the Itajaí Valley region, was hit by repeated episodes of heavy rain, which led to historic flooding in several cities, resulting in enormous material damage and the loss of countless lives. Although the Security Forces had made a great effort and dedication in the rescue missions, the presence of helicopters from the Brazilian Air Force and the Brazilian Navy proved to be essential in the rescue operations, quickly reaching places inaccessible by other means. In addition to helping the population in disaster situations, another aspect attracted attention. During the high season months (December to February), the large flow of tourists, especially on the Santa Catarina coast, generated a significant increase in the number of road accidents. In turn, beaches and resorts recorded several cases of drowning, often requiring the victim to be quickly removed to a health unit. Both in adverse weather conditions and in routine police incidents, air proved its value, ensuring agility and efficiency in care. The time had come for Santa Catarina to gain its own wings.
Floods in Santa Catarina
In July 1983, the state of Santa Catarina was hit by severe rains. In of the population, helicopters from the Brazilian Air Force and Naval Aviation were present in solidarity with the people of Santa Catarina, saving lives, transporting people and donations, demonstrating the value of helicopters in situations of this nature. Photos: José Ferreira da Silva (1); Indaial Portal (2); Santa Archive (3); Eurico Dantas (4); Siegmar Starke (5); Unknown author/Portal O Município; Unknown author/Newspaper A Tribuna do Vale (7).
Thus began a process of convincing the State Government and the Military Police High Command, with the aim of transforming into reality the increasingly growing and necessary demand for an aircraft to serve the people of Santa Catarina. Finally, the year 1986 was marked by the beginning of the Military Police's air activities, through the leasing of a Bell 206B Jet Ranger III helicopter, to be used in of Operation Summer 86/87. The seed was planted and it would soon prove that the decision had been assertive. This is where the history of the Military Police Aviation Battalion begins, but first of all, it is necessary to mention Lieutenant Colonel PM Asteroid da Costa Arantes.
Lieutenant Colonel PM Asteroid of Costa Arantes.
The history of the Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation can be divided into three distinct phases, guided by the constant evolution of aerial activities, consolidated later on with the creation of the Aviation Battalion in 2008. The first years were marked by the leasing of helicopters to operate during a specific period of time, always during the so-called Summer Operation, between the months of December and February, a concentrated effort by all Units subordinated to the State Public Security Secretariat (Military and Civil Police), in the fight against crime and in responding to other issues of public order and well-being for tourists and the population of Santa Catarina itself. It is worth noting that at this time, the Military Fire Department was still linked to the Military Police, a separation that would only occur in June 2003.
The 1986/87 summer season marked the beginning of the use of aircraft in service of the Military Police of Santa Catarina (PMSC) and is considered the starting point in the history of its air component. The first helicopter to operate in the skies of Santa Catarina was the Bell Model 206B Jet Ranger III with the registration PT-HOM, belonging to the company Helair Aerotáxi. The pioneering role of the Military Police in operating with helicopters, compared to other of the state's Public Security (which would only have their own organic aviation later on), meant that from the very beginning, the performance of the aircraft and crews in service of the PMSC carried in their DNA the multi-mission profile. The range of activities was diverse, including searches, rescues, salvage, Civil Defense actions, environmental monitoring, participation in police incidents, transportation of authorities, to other state Public Agencies, among others. It is important to note that in this first experience, the helicopter was commanded by hired pilots, but it already had Military Police teams on board to meet the demands. Although the use of the aircraft was extremely positive, the contract was not renewed after its end and it would take a few years until another helicopter was leased, a fact that would only be repeated for the Summer Operation of 1992/93.
First helicopter in service of the Military Police of Santa Catarina. Photo: PMSC/Disclosure
During this time, aware of the benefits and importance of using the air vector to society's needs and with the statistical results of the 1986/87 Summer Operation as proof, the advocates of the idea worked hard behind the scenes and on several fronts in order to make the return of an aircraft possible as soon as possible. During this period, the foundations were laid for the resumption of air activity in Santa Catarina, with an emphasis on the need for this operation to become permanent and an integral part of the Corporation. Within this context, a proposal was drawn up for the creation of an organic Air Unit and how its structure should be. At the same time, the first Officers began their courses to become Helicopter Pilots. Among the pioneers were Lieutenant Colonel Valmir Lemos, Major Dárcio José Maiochi, Captain Giovani de Paula and Lieutenants Amorim and Coelho. Likewise, the program to train Enlisted Men as Operational Crewmen continued.
In 1992, the wings of the Military Police began to take shape, with the institutionalization of aerial activity in the state. Lieutenant Colonel PM Valmir Lemos, one of the pioneering pilots of the Corporation, was chosen as the first Commander. A helicopter returned to Santa Catarina at the end of that year, in response to the 1992/93 summer season. Once again, it followed the previous model, that is, an aircraft leased for a specific period, this time from the Paraná company Helisul Táxi Aéreo, which would become, from then on, an important partner in the process of consolidating aviation in the Santa Catarina Military Police. The aircraft chosen this time was a Helibras HB-350B Esquilo, more powerful, with better performance and greater versatility of use than its predecessor, characteristics that made this helicopter of French origin and manufactured under license in Brazil, a great success and one of the most used by police and security forces throughout the country. As in the previous contract, the aircraft was flown by civilian pilots, but now, alongside them, gaining experience and coordinating incidents, were Military Police Officers who had obtained their flying licenses. From that moment on, the leases began to take place every year, but still on a seasonal basis. However, little by little, the process gained strength and importance, first with the use of a second aircraft for the following season, culminating later in the permanent presence of a helicopter in Santa Catarina. The year 1996 was marked by a historic event: air operations began to be carried out with the entire crew composed of Military Police officers: Pilot, Mission Coordinator/Second Pilot (2P) and Multi-Mission Operational Crew. This independence was what was missing for the next step.
Esquilo helicopter in service of the Military Police of Santa Catarina. Photo: PMSC/Disclosure
The year 1998 marked the beginning of a new era for the Military Police of Santa Catarina, with the creation of its Air Group, which was later made official by Ordinance No. 042/PMSC/2002, of February 18, 2002. The Corporation finally gained its organic Air Unit, with its own headquarters, name and visual identity. Thus, the Air Patrol Group of the Military Police of Santa Catarina (GRAER/PMSC) was born, installed in Florianópolis, next to the Hercílio Luz International Airport, occupying the hangar previously used by the State Government. At this time, the first internal selection process for the PMSC also took place, with the ission of six Officers who would later compose the Unit's Pilots' cadre, in of the pioneers of Police Aviation. The helicopters in use continued to be leased, but now, they remained in service for longer periods of time for the Military Police. This change resulted in the Corporation gaining a cadre of Pilots and Crew dedicated to full-time air activities. Gradually, GRAER began to take on the features of an Air Unit. Another important event occurred in 2001, in ville, in the north of the state, with the creation of the ville Advanced Base, which was implemented the following year, beginning the expansion of the Military Police's air activities on a permanent basis to other regions of the state.
Some images of the first years of helicopter operations at GRAER. In the spotlight, the first Emblem created for the Air Unit. All photos, except where indicated: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
Although marked by many achievements, the beginning of the Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation also had its setbacks. On Christmas Eve 1998, the Group's first plane crash occurred, when the Squirrel with the registration PT-YCJ, while taking off from the helipad of the Search and Rescue Group (GBS) in Florianópolis, crashed its main rotor into the ground, resulting in damage to the aircraft, but without casualties. In the middle of the following year, the saddest page in the history of the newly created Air Unit would occur. Late in the evening of June 10, 1999, returning from ville, in the north of the state, to the capital of Santa Catarina, the helicopter carrying on board the State Secretary of Public Security at the time, Mr. Luiz Carlos Schmidt de Carvalho, crashed approximately 40 km from its final destination. There were no survivors. In addition to the leader, two pilots died in the incident, Lieutenant Colonel PM Dárcio José Maiochi (then Coordinator of GRAER) and the young Lieutenant PM Alan Vargas Guimarães. The tragic episode, as could not be otherwise, marked everyone and accelerated the implementation of stricter standards and procedures, especially those related to Flight Safety, in order to formally structure the Unit.
In 2006, GRAER entered a new phase with the incorporation of its first fixed-wing aircraft, an Embraer EMB-711 Corisco (PT-NKL), which was designated as “Águia 3”, in addition to the two helicopters already used by the Group. The arrival of this aircraft increased operational capacity, allowing the Air Unit to diversify its range of missions. Early the following year, another Corisco, now an EMB-711T (PT-NUY) was also integrated. It is important to note that these aircraft came from judicial kidnappings and were held by the Military Police of Santa Catarina as their trustee while their legal proceedings continued, a practice common to many aircraft used by the Security Forces in Brazil. In 2008, a twin-engine EMB-810 Seneca II (PP-FFY) arrived, donated by the Federal Police, increasing the number of fixed-wing aircraft in service with the Military Police to three. In 2011, however, by court order, PT-NUY was returned, thus the fleet now has two aircraft, a situation that remains to this day. It is also worth mentioning that in 2018, another Corisco (PT-RIY) in judicial proceedings belonged to the Aviation Battalion to be used in environmental inspection actions, however, shortly thereafter, in 2021, the aircraft returned to its original owner.
The arrival of “Águia 3” and “Águia 5” enabled the Military Police of Santa Catarina to significantly increase the services offered to the people of Santa Catarina, especially in missions ing the State Department of Health, through the transportation of organs and patients. All photos: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
Embraer EMB-711T Corisco. Photo: Juliano DamásioEMB-711ST Corisco, previously used by the Military Police of Minas Gerais, seen in the hangar of the Aviation Battalion, in Florianópolis. Photo: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
After a decade of operation, with a record of excellent services provided to the people of Santa Catarina, the Air Patrol Group reached a new level when, by Decree No. 1.392, of May 8, 2008, it was elevated to the category of Battalion, becoming known as the Military Police Aviation Battalion (BAPM). The same document, among other provisions, also established its organizational structure, divided into Companies, in the cities of Florianópolis and ville. At the same time, it created the Bases of Balneário Camboriú, Chapecó, Lages and Criciúma, for future activation. In 2010, the practice of leasing aircraft ended definitively, with the incorporation of the first two proprietary helicopters, the Esquilo with the prefix PR-HTA (an aircraft that had already been used by the Corporation, operating from the ville Advanced Base) and the Koala with the registration PR-PMM, designated with the codes “Águia 1” and “Águia 2” and based respectively in ville (2nd Company) and Florianópolis (1st Company). The subsequent years of the Battalion's activity saw the arrival of two more Esquilo helicopters, allowing the activation of the Bases in Lages (5th Company, in 2015) and Balneário Camboriú (3rd Company, in 2019). As a tribute to one of the greatest ers of the implementation of aerial activity in the Military Police, the Aviation Battalion is named the “Lieutenant Colonel PM Dárcio José Maiochi” Battalion.
Since its first years of operation (1986-1998), through the creation of the Air Patrol Group (1998-2008) and, finally, becoming a Battalion, starting in 2008, the Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation has distinguished itself in fulfilling its duties and ing society. In these almost forty years of presence of the eagles in the skies of Santa Catarina, thousands of activations have been carried out and countless lives have been saved. Among the many valuable missions, which remain alive in the collective memory of the population, is the action during the so-called “Operation Noah's Ark”, one of the largest rescue operations in the history of Brazil, due to the floods that occurred in Santa Catarina, in November 2008, mainly in the region around Morro do Baú, in Ilhota. The activity involved the participation of dozens of helicopters from the Armed Forces and Police Corps from the four corners of the country. It is important to highlight that all the work was coordinated by the Santa Catarina Aviation Battalion, marking the baptism of fire of the Air Unit, in the year in which it began its activities. To get an idea of the magnitude of the operation, since the Falklands/Malvinas War in 1982, a real action in South America had not involved so many aircraft acting together in a specific area (around 26 helicopters), a number only sured in 2024, with the climate catastrophe that hit Rio Grande do Sul. Speaking of which, BAPM helicopters and teams were among the first Air Units to arrive in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The actions of the Santa Catarina eagles were exemplary and full of situations of extreme courage, overcoming and dedication, with the sole purpose of ensuring that others could live. The participation of the Aviation Battalion in the episode was essential, ing for a significant portion of the total rescues carried out during the operation.
Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation
In order to fulfill its missions, the fleet of aircraft available to the Military Police Aviation Battalion currently consists of four helicopters and two airplanes, based in the cities of Florianópolis, Balneário Camboriú, Lages and ville. Between 1986 and 2010, all helicopters used by the Corporation came from lease contracts with Air Taxi companies. With the consolidation of aviation in the Military Police of Santa Catarina, through the creation and activation of its Air Unit, this practice was abandoned. Of the four helicopters used, two were acquired in 2010, with public funds from the State. The other two arrived in 2015 and 2019, through Conduct Adjustment (TAC), between companies and Public Agencies of Santa Catarina. As for the planes, one was donated by the Federal Police and the other is the result of a lawsuit, in which case the Military Police are the trustee. In other words, the aircraft remains in the possession of the State while awaiting a decision on whether or not to return it to its original owner. The aircraft in service with the Military Police Aviation Battalion are designated with the call sign “Águia” and numbered according to the incorporation of each one into the Air Unit. Below, we will present to our readers a brief history of the use of these codes by the air assets employed by the Military Police of Santa Catarina.
When the Aviation Battalion was created in 2008, the two leased helicopters that were operated at the time used the codes “Águia 1” and “Águia 2”. These designations were maintained for the pair of own aircraft acquired in 2010. Between 2006 and 2018, the Air Unit had four aircraft in its fleet, numbered “Águia 3” to “Águia 6”. With the return of “Águia 4” in 2011, this code was ed on to the Esquilo helicopter incorporated in 2015. In 2019, another Esquilo entered into operation, receiving the designation “Águia 7”. As for “Águia 6”, with the return of the aircraft to its original owner, the code became vacant, however, it was used for a short period in another Esquilo helicopter, leased for temporary use with the Aviation Battalion. Regarding geographical distribution, “Águia 1” is headquartered in ville with the 2nd Company, “Águias 2, 3 and 5”, in Florianópolis (1st Company), “Águia 4”, in Lages (5th Company) and “Águia 7” in Balneário Camboriú (3rd Company). Although they have a fixed headquarters, it is important to say that according to operational needs, all aircraft can operate from any of the Aviation Bases or even from other points in the State.
A rare record, with all the aircraft of the Aviation Battalion gathered in the yard of the 1st Company, in Florianópolis. Photo: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation FleetSanta Catarina Military Police Aviation FleetOperating from their bases, BAPM helicopters can quickly reach all locations within their immediate areas of operation, with excellent response times. With maximum fuel capacity, the Esquilo B2 and Koala, if necessary, have enough range to reach any point in Santa Catarina in a maximum of 3 hours of flight. Source of infographic: Created by the authorWhen it is necessary to cover great distances in a short time, the answer is the planes in service of the Aviation Battalion. One of the main tasks performed by the duo is the transport of organs, in of the State Department of Health and SC Transplantes. Infographic source: Created by the author
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Over time, the Santa Catarina Military Police has used a variety of paint schemes on its aircraft. The leased helicopters were sometimes used with the original paint scheme of the leasing company or were given an all-white paint scheme, complemented by the visual identifications of the Corporation and the State. They could also receive customized colors for use during the period of their stay with the Air Unit. After the activation of the Aviation Battalion and the arrival of its own aircraft, a single shade of khaki paint scheme was adopted (similar to the color of the troop's uniform), with the inscriptions and markings in black, in addition to the Battalion Emblem and the Santa Catarina Military Police logo on points of the fuselage, a scheme that is maintained today. The exception is the “Águia 3” which, because it is an aircraft still under judicial proceedings, remained with a different paint scheme.
Some of the paint schemes used by Santa Catarina Military Police helicopters.
The main objective of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (BAPM) is to carry out air-police missions in of Public Safety, ensuring efficiency and an exceptional response time throughout the state of Santa Catarina. To this end, the current structure of the Unit comprises four Companies, distributed in the cities of Florianópolis (1st Company), ville (2nd Company), Balneário Camboriú (3rd Company) and Lages (5th Company). In addition to these, the State Decree that created and activated the BAPM, with the aim of providing better coverage to the State of Santa Catarina, established two more Bases, in the West and South of Santa Catarina (4th and 6th Companies, in the cities of Chapecó and Criciúma, respectively). Although the activation of these Companies depends on the expansion of the aircraft fleet and personnel, it is important to emphasize that these two regions are currently served by the air component of the Civil Police of Santa Catarina (PC-SC), which has Operational Bases and helicopters precisely in the cities of Chapecó, through the Border Air Police Service (SAER FRON) and in Criciúma, with the Southern Air Police Service (SAER SUL).
Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation Battalion
Within the organizational chart of the Military Police of Santa Catarina, the Aviation Battalion is subordinate to the Special Missions Command (CME), a military organization that brings together all specialized units of the PMSC. In addition to the Aviation Battalion, this structure also includes the Riot Police Battalion (BPChoque), the Mounted Military Police Regiment (RPMMon), the Canine Policing Company (CiaPolCães) and the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE). In turn, the Aviation Battalion, as previously mentioned, is divided into Companies. Each of them is composed of Sections: istrative, Intelligence, Operations, Logistics, Public Relations, Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Safety.
The Aviation Battalion has approximately one hundred Military Police officers, acting as Aircraft Commander/1P, Air Operations Commander/2P, Multi-mission Operational Crew Member, Ground and istrative. Since its inception in 1986, the BAPM has carried out more than 37 thousand missions, directly assisting approximately 12 thousand people, in addition to participating in police operations and incidents (with numerous arrests made with the of aircraft), sporting events, transportation of authorities visiting the state and several other situations. The Air Unit is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel PM Felipe Sommer, appointed to the position as of July 19 of this year, being the eighteenth Officer of the Military Police of Santa Catarina to assume the role, since the Military Police institutionalized its organic aviation.
Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation Battalion
Santa Catarina Military Police Aviation Battalion
Lieutenant Felipe Sommer
The routine at the Aviation Battalion begins very early, from sunrise until the so-called aeronautical sunset, which in the summer months can last until around 21 p.m. Activities begin with the inspection of all equipment. Once everything is in order, the aircraft are removed from the hangar and placed on the apron. The range of missions carried out by the Companies that make up the Battalion is extensive and diverse, hence the multi-mission nature that is the hallmark of the Air Unit, including air in police incidents, for Civil Defense in rescue situations, water and land rescue, firefighting, environmental inspection, transporting accident victims to hospitals, transporting patients and organs for transplants, among others.
Image source: RBA TV, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM3jCHJluGA&t=248s
The standard crew is made up of four Military Police officers, two of whom are Pilots (Aircraft Commander/1P and Air Operations Commander/2P), in addition to two Multi-Mission Operational Crew . Each of these professionals has well-defined functions. Acting as a team, it is coordination and teamwork that ensure the success of missions. Even before the aircraft is removed from the hangar, the Operational Crew are responsible for checking all materials and equipment that may be used to respond to incidents, in addition to replacing items if necessary. In turn, the Pilots are responsible for carrying out pre-flight procedures (external inspection of the aircraft and all equipment). checklists provided for its safe operation). Another important moment before takeoff is the so-called briefing, a meeting between crew , in which all aspects related to the flight and the activity to be performed are reviewed, discussed and agreed upon. The day-to-day operations may include training missions or others, scheduled in advance, in addition to emergency activations, which do not have a set time or place to occur. In this case, the level of training of the military ensures that within a few minutes, the aircraft is in the air to provide for incidents.
Image source: RBA TV, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM3jCHJluGA&t=248s
The 1st Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (1st Company/BAPM) is based in Florianópolis, on the premises of the Hercílio Luz International Airport. Its history is intertwined with the emergence of the organic aviation of the Corporation and the subsequent creation of the Air Patrol Group (GRAER), since, until 2001, all of the Military Police's aerial activities were broadcast from the capital of Santa Catarina. This historical mix led the 1st Company to adopt as its Emblem an updated version of the symbol used by aviation pioneers in the PMSC, as a way of paying homage to and perpetuating the legacy left by those precursors. The aircraft available to the Unit include the AW-119 Koala helicopter (“Águia 2”) and the Battalion's two aircraft, a single-engine EMB-711 Corisco (“Águia 3”) and a twin-engine EMB-810 Seneca II (“Águia 5”). As it is the only one of the four companies located next to an airport, the ease of use of the landing and take-off runways means that these two aircraft have their headquarters in the capital of Santa Catarina.
The area for immediate service by the 1st Company includes all the cities that make up the Greater Florianópolis coastal and mountainous region, including the Metropolitan Region, which, in addition to the capital, includes the municipalities of São José, Biguaçu, Palhoça, Águas Mornas, Antônio Carlos, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, São Pedro de Alcântara and Governador Celso Ramos. The “Águia 2” helicopter, due to its versatility, is used in most of the missions under the responsibility of the 1st Company, including rescues and salvage operations on land and sea, firefighting, police incidents, urban and highway patrols, among others. As for the airplanes, due to their ability to cover great distances in less time, they operate directly throughout the state of Santa Catarina. For this reason, the main role of these aircraft is related to transportation, whether of organs for transplants, various materials or people.
All photos: 1st Company/BAPM/Disclosure
1st Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (1st Company/BAPM)
The 2nd Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (2nd Company/BAPM) is the direct successor of the ville Advanced Base, created in 2001, marking the beginning of the decentralization of the Military Police Aviation activities. The significant increase in crime in the region, in addition to the need for greater agility in the response time to accidents and rescues on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, motivated the creation of the Unit, which began its activities with five Pilots and five Operational Crew , transferred from Florianópolis. In the beginning, the Advanced Base's operations had the 8th Military Police Battalion as a starting point. As of 2007, the Unit gained its own facilities, next to an area provided by DEINFRA in the Santo Antônio neighborhood, in ville. The following year, with the creation of the Military Police Aviation Battalion, the Advanced Base began to be designated as the 2nd Company.
The Unit, through the “Águia 1” helicopter, is responsible for serving the municipalities located in the North and Northeast regions of the State of Santa Catarina. Along the coastal strip, the aircraft operates from Itapoá to Barra Velha, totaling approximately 60 km in a straight line. Among the main municipalities served are the cities of Jaraguá do Sul, São Francisco do Sul, Itapoá, Garuva, Araquari, Barra Velha, Barra do Sul, Mafra, Rio Negrinho, São Bento do Sul, São João do Itaperiú and Luís Alves. The range of missions carried out is diverse and includes responding to and ing police incidents; Search and Rescue (on land and sea); Civil Defense actions; Pre-Hospital Care; Organ Transportation; Inter-Hospital Removals; Environmental and Traffic Inspection; Event Monitoring; Firefighting; Preventive Patrols, among others. Since its implementation in 2001, the Unit has accumulated a total of 15 thousand missions, around 11 thousand flight hours, thousands of people rescued, in addition to criminals detained with the participation of the aircraft.
All photos: 2st Company/BAPM/Disclosure
2st Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (2st Company/BAPM)
The 3rd Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (3rd Company/BAPM) is headquartered at the 12th Military Police Battalion in the city of Balneário Camboriú, located on the northern coast of Santa Catarina. It is the youngest within the structure of the air component of the Santa Catarina Military Police. Activated in 2019, the emergence of the Unit was made possible with the arrival of the “Águia 7”, a Squirrel helicopter acquired through a Conduct Adjustment Term between the Justice Department and a group of construction companies in the Balneário Camboriú region. Like its sisters, the 3rd Company operates under a multi-mission nature, acting in police incidents, water rescues, land search and rescue, fighting forest fires, ing Civil Defense, organ transportation, environmental inspection, pre-hospital care, assisting SAMU and the Fire Department, monitoring road and urban traffic, in addition to ing other Public Institutions.
The Unit immediately serves more than 50 municipalities, operating on the coastal strip of the state between the cities of Tijucas and Balneário Piçarras, extending inland to Rio do Sul, in the Alto Vale do Itajaí. Since the beginning of its activities, in March 2019, more than 2.300 missions have been carried out. On average, there are around 360 activations per year, flying approximately 300 hours/year, constituting a total of 1.584 flight hours to date. During this period of operations, the aircraft assisted a total of 498 people and directly acted in around 251 criminal arrests. This year alone, it has flown more than 150 hours, with around 170 missions carried out, among which it provided assistance to the population of Rio Grande do Sul, in the unprecedented natural disaster that devastated that state. The 3rd Company currently has a staff of 21 career police officers, including Pilots, Multi-Mission Operational Crew, as well as Ground and istrative personnel.
All photos: 3st Company/BAPM/Disclosure
3st Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (3st Company/BAPM)
In mid-2014, the Military Police Aviation Battalion had two bases, one in Florianópolis and the other in ville. Given the need to expand air activity to other parts of the state, the Planalto Serrano, due to its population, strategic location (occupying the central area of the state), tourism potential, number of highways, and statistical data indicating an increase in crime, emerged as a priority for the implementation of an Air Unit. It is worth noting that, at that time, the region's demands were met by the “Águia 2” aircraft, departing from the capital of Santa Catarina. However, the presence of permanent air service (above the geographical barrier of Serra do Mar), providing for Public Security and Civil Defense activities, was essential and, therefore, efforts were initiated to meet this need, with the aim of reducing response times in of police incidents, as well as in rescue missions, salvage operations, and environmental inspection tasks.
The project received from the Environmental Foundation (FATMA), currently the Environmental Institute (IMA), and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Catarina (MP-SC). Through a Conduct Adjustment Agreement (TAC) with two companies with environmental liabilities to the State of Santa Catarina, funds were made available for the acquisition of a helicopter, materialized as the Esquilo B2 with the registration PT-HZL, which received the designation “Águia 4”. May 29, 2015 marked the delivery and start of operations of the new vector in service of the Military Police Aviation Battalion, radiating its flights from the Antônio Correia Pinto de Macedo Federal Airport, in the city of Lages. It did not take long for the presence of the aircraft to begin producing positive results for the mountain community, through the arrest of criminals and seizure of drugs, flagrant environmental crimes, firefighting, transportation of organs and rescues, rescues and removal of accident victims. Another recent achievement of the 5th Company, made official in June of this year, was the permanent presence of a medical team exclusively dedicated to the activities of the Air Unit, also ensuring that medicines and life equipment are available on board the aircraft. The implementation of the Aeromedical Service significantly reduced the response time in situations of rescue, care or removal of victims to Hospital Units.
The 5th Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (5th Company/BAPM) moved headquarters in April 2019, centralizing its air operations from the BR-282 Highway, next to the DEINFRA facilities. Currently, the Air Unit has a staff consisting of an Aircraft Commander/1P, three Air Operations Commanders/2P, nine Multi-Mission Operational Crew, and two military personnel in Ground and istrative roles. In addition to them, a team of doctors and nurses is available 4/18 to respond to incidents that require the of these professionals in advanced . With fuel autonomy for three hours of flight, the “Águia 5” helicopter acts immediately in the XNUMX municipalities that make up the Planalto Serrano and, in cases of need, can also act quickly over the Midwest, West, and Far West of Santa Catarina. A peculiarity of the Air Unit concerns its Emblem. Unlike the other Companies, which feature the Eagle, the symbol of the Aviation Battalion, as the central element on their Shields, the XNUMXth Company pays homage to the Blue Jay, a bird typical of the region.
All photos: 5st Company/BAPM/Disclosure
5st Company of the Military Police Aviation Battalion (5st Company/BAPM)
Police flying is not routine. It is an activity that involves teamwork, attention, and a lot of training. In most cases, takeoff represents the response to a real situation, testing the knowledge and skills of everyone on board to deal with any incident that requires air . Being prepared for anything is the watchword. The crew of aircraft serving the Santa Catarina Military Police is made up of Officers and Enlisted Men from the Corporation. In certain situations, health professionals also participate in the missions. However, the most common configuration is formed by the Aircraft Commander/1P, an Air Operations Commander/2P, and two Multi-Mission Operational Crew. Each of these roles has specific tasks and responsibilities. The Aircraft Commander/1P is responsible for the actual piloting. Next to him, in the left seat, is the Air Operations Commander/2P, in most cases, a pilot in training, gaining experience. This officer is responsible for managing the entire incident, in constant via radio or cell phone with the ground crews and the Military Police Operations Center (COPOM). If necessary, he or she can also pilot the aircraft. In turn, the Multi-Mission Operational Crew, also known by the acronym TOM, are those who will carry out all the action during the missions. They are professionals with a very high level of training, qualified to act in police actions and rescue, salvage and first aid. Completing the personnel serving the Aviation Battalion Companies are the military personnel responsible for ground and istrative activities.
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Photo: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
To become a member of the Aviation Battalion, regardless of the role you will play, you must be a member of the Military Police and access depends on the number of available positions. It is not necessary to have previous flight experience. For Pilots, whether they are ing the Rotary Wing or Fixed Wing Aviation, the main requirement is to be an Officer of the Corporation. The training is different, training Helicopter or Airplane Pilots, each of whom is prepared to fly their type of equipment. For both qualifications, it takes about five years of hard work and study to reach the position of Aircraft Commander. The first step is to participate in an internal selection process, which involves, among other criteria, the presentation of various physical and intellectual skills and abilities. It is important to note that, from this point on, all stages are eliminatory, and the candidate may be removed from the process at any time if he or she does not meet the established requirements.
Throughout the 5 years of training, there are many stages and courses, such as the underwater aircraft escape training, carried out with the of the Brazilian Navy. This qualification is essential for both Pilot candidates and Multi-Mission Operational Crew. Photos: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
The Military Police of Santa Catarina follows the rules and criteria required by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) for the training of pilots. For those who are not familiar with these procedures, anyone interested in flying a helicopter or airplane must take the Private Pilot (PP) course, qualifying them to use the aircraft for personal or recreational use. When the aircraft is used as a work tool, involving paid activity, the Commercial Pilot (PC) course is also required. In the case of the Aviation Battalion, both for Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing Pilots, both are mandatory for the position. Other requirements are common to both qualifications, such as the Emergency Training Course, taught by the Army Aviation Training Center (CIAvEx), in Taubaté/SP, and the Submerged Aircraft Escape Course (UTEPAS) with the Brazilian Navy, at the iral José Maria do Amaral Naval Air Training and Instruction Center (CIAAN), in São Pedro da Aldeia/RJ. Internships and exchanges with the Public Security Aviation of other States of the Federation can also take place, complementing the training. It is important to note that the first Military Police officers from Santa Catarina to be qualified to fly took their courses with the Brazilian Air Force, Brazilian Navy and Military Police of Minas Gerais.
The Private Pilot course is held in Civil Aviation Schools. The theoretical part, also called Ground School, lasts approximately 3 months. After this stage, the student takes a test, in which his/her knowledge of how an aircraft works, in addition to Flight Theory, Air Navigation, Meteorology and Aeronautical Legislation, are assessed, with a minimum score of 7 (seven) to . Once this score is achieved and with the Physical Capacity Certificate in hand, the practical part begins, which involves approximately 35 hours of flight in a training aircraft and 1 additional hour of flight, with an ANAC Check Pilot on board, in order to whether the candidate is able to safely fly an aircraft. This entire process is repeated for the next course, which is the Commercial Pilot course, however, with reinforcement in the theoretical part and in the flight phase, now requiring a total of 65 hours of training. Likewise, completion involves the check flight. It is important to note that the Commercial Pilot course, whether for helicopter or airplane qualification, is carried out at the Aviation Battalion itself, using the aircraft that the Corporation's future Pilots will use on a daily basis.
The next stage of training as a Military Police Pilot is the Air Operations Commander course. The theoretical part includes the regulations governing the Aviation Battalion, concepts of Air Operations and adaptation for initial qualification in the aircraft model that will be flown (ground and flight curriculum, in addition to an internship as an Air Observer for flight practices and cockpit monitoring). After completing this phase, the Officer begins the practical part, completing a duty roster in one of the four Companies of the Battalion, flying as a Second Pilot (2P), gaining experience in the most diverse types of missions. After reaching 400 flight hours, the Officer moves on to the five stages of Flight Instruction: Alfa (in-depth adaptation of the aircraft; Bravo (air navigation); Charlie (precision flight); Delta (multi-mission operational maneuvers) and; Echo (plus 50 hours of flight time, operating in real situations as an Aircraft Commander, supervised by a Master Commander). The level of demand is high and the evaluation is constant. The flight performance sheets for each phase are submitted and verified by the Battalion Flight Council, composed of all the Aircraft Commanders of the Air Unit. For those who manage to complete all the stages, the prize is the much-coveted pilot's license and the opportunity to place the identification card with the Wings of the Military Police of Santa Catarina on their flight suit, in order to the ranks of the “Águias” of the PMSC. As of the time you read this article, the Aviation Battalion has trained 36 Pilots as Commanders of Military Police Aircraft, 32 of whom are qualified to operate helicopters and 4 for airplanes (see table below). The process is ongoing and soon new Águias will be promoted to the status of Aircraft Commander.
Eagles Military Police of Santa Catarina
Composing the crew on board the Santa Catarina Military Police aircraft are the Tactical Air Operators, also known as Multi-Mission Operational Crew (TOM). The name of the activity itself expresses the work of these professionals, considered a true Elite Troop within the Corporation, due to their level of preparation and the diversity of situations in which they are qualified to act. “Many want, some try, few succeed.” The motto of the training course gives the exact tone of the difficulties that candidates will face. The possibility of operating with the aircraft of the Aviation Battalion attracts many candidates, however, the few available vacancies and the rigorous training mean that only the best and most qualified achieve the goal of becoming an Operational Crew Member.
The selection process consists of several stages, in which candidates undergo medical examinations, physical fitness tests, specific skills tests, psychological examinations and intellectual assessments. Those who this initial phase take a four-month course with 810 class hours. The theoretical and practical content is divided into disciplines, including flight safety, water rescue, survival on land and at sea, pre-hospital care, rescue at height, operational procedures on board aircraft, police tactics, on-board police shooting and vehicle rescue. Since 2000, the PMSC Aerotactic Operator course has been training excellent professionals, including crew for Security Forces in other States of the Federation. During the course of the training, students are subjected to extreme training conditions, aimed at developing and improving their technical, physical and mental capabilities, so that they can perform the wide range of missions assigned to them. Since the beginning of air activities in the Military Police of Santa Catarina, more than a hundred Operational Crew have been trained.
In any weather, at any time, prepared for all missions. This is the mantra that governs the work of the Operational Crew. All photos: BAPM/PMSC/Disclosure
Recently the Aviation Battalion entered a new era, with the beginning of the use of Unmanned Aircraft (UAs, Unmanned Aircraft), popularly known as drones. The tool promises to modernize and provide greater efficiency in aerial operations, playing an important role in ing ostensive policing, providing a strategic aerial view and reinforcing the fight against crime. The devices used are the DJI Mavic 3T model, equipped with state-of-the-art resources, including high-resolution cameras, real-time video transmission capacity, advanced detection sensors and nighttime image capture, through thermal imaging. With the ability to fly at high altitudes and cover vast areas in a short period of time, in addition to discretion, the equipment is used in search and rescue missions, patrolling and monitoring of risk areas. Currently, the Military Police Aviation Battalion has been training professionals throughout the state in operating with RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or Remotely Piloted Aircraft), in addition to improving the doctrine of employment with the new type of vector, based on acting in a coordinated and integrated manner with other components of the security forces, in various types of occurrences. Very soon, the fleet of Remotely Piloted Aircraft of the Corporation will be reinforced by the NAURU 500C ISR, a vector designed and manufactured in Brazil, with larger dimensions and better performance, with a flight autonomy of 4 hours and an operating radius of 60 km.
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Infographic source: BAPM/PMSC/DisclosureBAPM
In addition to incorporating the new technological tool, the Aviation Battalion continues to train and qualify its crews through the Pilot and Multi-Mission Operational Crew courses. Regarding aircraft, the plan is to maintain the current fleet, consisting of four helicopters and two airplanes, distributed among the Companies currently operating in the cities of Florianópolis, ville, Balneário Camboriú and Lages. The activation of new Units, planned for Chapecó and Criciúma, depends on resources for the acquisition or incorporation of new air assets.
“When there is a storm, the birds hide, but the eagles fly higher”. This phrase, uttered by former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, daughter of the great statesman Mahatma Gandhi, expresses very well the spirit of the of the Aviation Battalion, through the legacy of the pioneers, the achievements of the past and the challenges of the present. Guided by the principles of preserving order and protecting life, the Eagles of the Military Police of Santa Catarina continue to fly and serve the society of Santa Catarina with promptness and efficiency.
Among those responsible for contributing to the work you have just read is Colonel PM Herlon Martins Ferreira, then Commander of the Aviation Battalion, when we first made with the Air Unit. Upon learning of the intention of the Aviação em Floripa website to produce an article about the Military Police Aviation, he promptly embraced the idea, providing full for the production of this article. Likewise, the current Commander of the BAPM, Lieutenant Colonel PM Felipe Sommer, followed in his predecessor's footsteps, demonstrating the same interest and enthusiasm for the project. Special thanks to Colonel PM of the Paid Reserve, Alessandro Felzcky, one of the Pilots with the most experience in the Aviation of the Military Police of Santa Catarina, for making his knowledge available and especially for the patience and commitment demonstrated along the way, responding promptly to all demands, whether in the collection of data, information or doubts that arose as the research progressed. Finally, to all who in some way helped in the preparation of this work. Thus, it is with satisfaction and pride that I deliver this material and I hope that it can become a reference and a valuable source of consultation and research for all those who wish to know a little more about the history and trajectory of the Wings of the Military Police of Santa Catarina.
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