The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) intercepted, this Sunday morning (28/07), in the western region of the State of Amazonas, a small Cessna 172 aircraft, which entered Brazilian airspace from Peru without authorization. Under the coordination of the Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE), two A-29 Super Tucano air defense aircraft and an H-60 Black Hawk helicopter were used in the mission, carried out in conjunction with the Federal Police (PF).
During the interception, Airspace Policing Measures (MPEA) protocols were followed. Radio was attempted with the pilot of the intercepted aircraft, but no response was received. At that time, the aircraft was classified as suspicious, as provided for in Decree 5.144, of July 16, 2004.
Subsequently, the FAB pilots ordered a change of route and mandatory landing at a specific aerodrome. However, the pilot of the intercepted plane did not comply. It was then necessary for the air defense to command the Warning Shot in order to comply with the determinations in force.
After the Warning Shot, the aircraft remained without complying with the instructions given, which led to it being reclassified as hostile. Subsequently, the aircraft made a forced landing on a dirt runway in the municipality of Barcelos/AM. The pilots burned their own aircraft and fled the scene.
Moments later, the Federal Police, with from the Amazonas PM arrived at the scene aboard a FAB helicopter, the H-60 Black Hawk. 95 kilos of cocaine base paste and cocaine hydrochloride were found on the aircraft.
According to the Chief of Staff of the Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE), “The action that culminated in preventing the continuation of this flight is part of Operation Ostium, to curb cross-border illicit acts, in which the Brazilian Air Force and the Federal Police.”
The FAB works around the clock to guarantee the sovereignty of Brazilian airspace and this action shows that the Brazilian Air Defense System operates permanently, 24 hours a day, to guarantee the country's sovereignty.
Read also
- Caldas Novas Airport records a 20% increase in movement in the first half of the year
- Greece signs purchase of F-35 stealth fighters from the US
- Air Force transports new drone to combat illegal mining in Roraima
Street: Brazilian air force
