A Brazilian air force (FAB) has been taking place since 07/11, at Rio Grande do Sul, extensive war training. On Thursday (10), there was a Media Day at the Canoas Air Base (BACO), where journalists accompanied the t Exercise (EXCON) Escudo-Tínia, which brings together 50 aircraft and more than 800 military personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force itself.
The EXCON takes place until 25/11 and is concentrated in the central region of RS, with aircraft operating from BACO and Santa Maria Air Base. Soldiers from FAB, Army and Navy anti-aircraft units also participate in the city of Santana da Boa Vista, using Igla surface-to-air missiles, of Russian origin.
As explained by Colonel Marcelo Bussmann, director of the exercise (DIREX) and commander of BACO, actions such as escort, air attack, incursion and defense of territory, in-flight refueling, combat search and rescue (CSAR), control and early warning are trained. (AEW&C) and logistic air transport.
During training, the RS is “divided in half”, forming a context in which two sides, Alfa and Bravo, face each other in a “tactical, fictitious and dynamic scenario”, where the execution of the so-called “Air Force Actions” are carried out in a simulation of a conventional regional conflict.
“This type of operation is important and allows us to keep our soldiers trained. I emphasize that the takeoff does not represent the final result, which is in the well-executed attack”, emphasized the colonel.
Shortly before the DIREX explanation, 12 F-5EM/FM Tiger II fighters took off from Canoas for another training sortie, this time simulating an incursion. Four planes left earlier, heading towards the Encruzilhada do Sul region; the eight aircraft that took off later were supposed to invade the territory of the red country, defended by the other fighters.
Tínia takes place annually since 2019, representing one of the largest exercises carried out by the FAB, involving fighter, reconnaissance, transport and rotary wing squadrons from all over Brazil. This year's edition brings together the following aircraft:
- F-5M Tiger II fighters, AMX A-1M and A-29 Super Tucano;
- Transport aircraft and logistical C-95M Bandeirante, C-99, C-105 Amazonas, KC-130 Hércules and KC-390 Millennium;
- H-60L Black Hawk helicopters;
- RQ-450 and RQ-900 remotely piloted aircraft (drones);
- Embraer E-99 Advanced Air Control Aircraft.
Most of the air assets are concentrated in BASM, while BACO is receiving the E-99M from the Guardian Squadron and the pilots and F-5 jets from the Pampa, Jambock, Pif-Paf and Jaguar squadrons.
According to the air force, “the purpose of the EXCON Escudo-Tínia is the doctrinal consolidation of composite air missions, the training and qualification of participants in facing the challenges arising from the use of military power and complex military operations.”
Media Flight: photographing the EXCON aircraft
During the media day, the FAB also promoted a media flight, where journalists were able to record part of the aircraft involved in the EXCON Escudo-Tínia in a flight near Encruzilhada do Sul, the same region where the simulated combats take place.
Civilians and soldiers boarded the C-105 Amazonas belonging to the Arara Squadron (1st/9th GAv), which took off from BACO around 13:00 pm. After a few minutes of flight, the aircraft began to arrive, starting with the leader, the KC-390 Millennium, followed by the KC-130M Hércules, C-105 Amazonas and A-29 Super Tucano.
The rear ramp of the aircraft was partially opened for 20 minutes, allowing of the press and military personnel from the Aeronautics Social Communication Center (CECOMSAER) to photograph the formation with the F-5EM, AMX A-1M, E-99M, KC-390, KC-130M, C-105 and A-29.
Each group of four people had four minutes to capture the images. Access to the ramp was only allowed with the use of a little monkey, a safety harness that secures the person to the floor of the aircraft. On the ramp, everyone should lie down or crouch.
Two C-105 crew were at all times ensuring the safety of participants on the ramp and in the aircraft's cargo compartment. Meanwhile, pilot, co-pilot and mechanic conducted the flight in the cockpit.
Check out more images from the exercise.
The Aeroflap Portal thanks the Air Force Command, CECOMSAER and the direction of the t Exercise Escudo-Tínia, especially Captain Emília Maria, Captain Alcoforado, Captain Sérgio, Lieutenant Wanessa Liz, Sergeant Müller Marin and Sergeant Neris, who accompanied the journalists during the middle day.
