Cruzex 2024 AF-1 Skyhawk A-1AM F-5EM/FM Tiger II F-39E Gripen KC-390 Millennium A-29B Super Tucano

Cruzex 2024 Natal Air Base (BANT) Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil November 3-7, 2024

The FAB deployed a diverse fleet of aircraft, including the KC-390 Millennium (aerial refuelling), F-39 Gripen, both aircraft types for the first time, in addition to F-5EM Tiger II, A-1AM-AMX, A-29B Super Tucano, transport aircraft C-99, C-105/SC-105 Amazonas, reconnaissance aircraft R-99 and E-99, and H-36 Cougar helicopters. The Brazilian Navy provided two A-4 Skyhawk for the first part of CRUZEX. Other participating nations provided; F-15C Eagles (United States), F-16 Fighting Falcons (Chile), AT-27 (Paraguay), IA-63 (Argentina), and KT-1P (Peru). Additional aerial refuelling was provided by Colombia (KC-767/MMTT Jupiter), Chile (KC-135 Stratotanker), Portugal (KC-390) and United States (KC-46 Pegasus). The FAB deployed the E-99M equipped with the ERIEYE airborne radar were tasked with performing In-Flight Control and Alarm (CAV) actions, which are crucial to supporting COMAOs. The E-99M has the capability to detect aircraft over long distances, including those flying at low altitudes, and distinguish between friendly and enemy aircraft. This ability enables strategic airspace surveillance and control of friendly aircraft operating in the scenario. The FAB operated the R-99 which served as the Airborne Communication Station (PCOM-AR) during CRUZEX, carrying out an essential mission communicating between aircraft flying in the combat area. The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) operated two E-99M aircraft equipped with the ERIEYE airborne radar were tasked with performing In-Flight Control and Alarm (CAV) actions, which are crucial to supporting COMAOs. The E-99M has the capability to detect aircraft over long distances, including those flying at low altitudes, and distinguish between friendly and enemy aircraft. This ability enables strategic airspace surveillance and control of friendly aircraft operating in the scenario.

Left to right: Embraer EMB 145 AEW&C (E-99M) (6700) with 2°/6°GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) based at Anápolis. They are tasked with Airborne Early Warning and Control and has a distinctive roof mounted Erieye radar beam.

Left to right: Embraer EMB 145 AEW&C (E-99M) (6700) with 2°/6°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) based at Anápolis.

Left to right: Embraer EMB 145 AEW&C (E-99M) (6703) with 2°/6°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) based at Anápolis.

The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) operated the R-99 aircraft which served as the Airborne Communication Station (PCOM-AR) during CRUZEX, carrying out an essential mission communicating between aircraft flying in the combat area.

Left to right: Embraer R-99 (6750) with 2°/6°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) it is based at Anápolis.

Left to right: Embraer C-99A (EMB-145ER) (2522) with 1°/2°GT (1° Esquadrão do 2° Grupo de Transporte), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), it is based at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão/Antônio Carlos Jobim International (Ala 11).

Left to right: CASA C-105A Amazonas (2800) with 1°/9°GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), it is based at Manaus-Ponta Pelada (Ala 8).

Left to right: CASA C-105A Amazonas (2800) with 1°/9°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), it is based at Manaus-Ponta Pelada (Ala 8).

Left to right: CASA C-105 Amazonas (2806) with 1°/15°GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), it is based at Campo Grande (Ala 5).

Left to right: CASA C-105 Amazonas (2806) with 1°/15°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), it is based at Campo Grande (Ala 5).

Left to right: CASA SC-105 Amazonas (6550) with 2°/10°GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), it is based at Campo Grande (Ala 5) and is utilised in the Search and Rescue role.

)Embraer C-95AM Bandeirante (2317) with 1°/5°GAv 'Rumba' (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) it is based at Natal-Augusto Severo (Ala 10).

Left to right: Embraer C-95AM Bandeirante (2317, 2323, 2347 and 2299) with 1°/5°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) it is based at Natal-Augusto Severo (Ala 10).

Left to right: Embraer EMB-120 Brasília (C-97) (2012) with 3°ETA (Segundo Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) based at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão/Antônio Carlos Jobim International (Ala 11). Embraer EMB-120 Brasília (C-97) (2020) with 2°ETA (Segundo Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo) 'Pastor' based at Recife-Guararepes/Gilberto Freyre International (Ala 15).

Left to right: Cessna C208B Grand Caravan (C-98A) (2719) with 2°ETA (Segundo Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) based at Natal-Augusto Severo (Ala 10).

Left to right: Eurocopter EC.725 Cougar (H-36) (8519, 8514 and 8522) with 1°/8°GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação) 'Rumba', Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), based at Natal-Augusto Severo (Ala 10).

Left to right: Helibras HB.350B Esquilo (H-50) (8782 and 8776) with 1°/11°GAv 'Gavião', Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), based at Natal-Augusto Severo (Ala 10). Helibras H-50 Esquilo (8781, 8786, 8780 and 8760) in storage.