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.
|
 |
| Left to right: McDonnell Douglas AF-1B Skyhawk (N-1004) and AF-1C Skyhawk (N-1021) both with VF-1 ‘Falcão' 1st Interceptor and Strike Fighter Squadron, Marinha do Brasil (MB, Brazilian Navy), based at São Pedro da Aldeia. |
| Left to right: Embraer A-1AM - AMX (5554, 5523, 5500, 5526 and 5504) with 1° or 3/10° GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação), Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) based at Santa Maria (Ala 4) |
| Left to right: Northrop F-5EM Tiger II (4876, 4820 and 4861) and F-5FM (4812) with 1°/14° GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação) 'Pampa', Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), based at Canoas (Ala 3). |
| Left to right: Saab F-39E Gripen (4104, 4107, 4101 and 4102) with 1° GDA (Grupo de Defensa Aérea) 'Jaguar', Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), based at Anápolis (Ala 2). |
Left to right: Embraer KC-390 Millennium (2858 and 2855) 1°GTT Primeiro Grupo de Transporte de Tropa, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), based at Anápolis (Ala 2).
Embraer KC-390 Millennium (2859) from Quinta Força Aérea 1°/1°GT Primeiro Esquadrão do Primeiro Grupo de Transporte 'Gordo' based at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão/Antônio Carlos Jobim International. |
| Left to right: Embraer A-29B Super Tucano (5950, 5926, 5937 and 5959) with 2°/5° GAv (Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação) 'Joker' Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force), based at Natal-Augusto Severo (Ala 10). |
Left to right: Embraer E-99M (EMB 145 AEW&C) (6700 and 6703) 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.
Embraer R-99 (6750) with 2°/6°GAv, Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) it is based at Anápolis.
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).
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).
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.
The C-105 Amazonas is an essential component of Transport Aviation training at CRUZEX 2024. Known for its durability and ability to land on challenging airstrips, the C-105 plays a crucial role in transport missions. During the Exercise, it performs troop and supply transport missions to remote areas with cargo drops, underscoring the importance of logistics in combat and humanitarian scenarios. From the perspective of Major Kleber Aurélio Saugo, Operations Officer of 1°/15°GAv, Onça Squadron, C-105 Amazonas is a vital participant due to its self-defence capabilities against aerial and ground threats. "The versatility of the C-105 platform makes it ideal for diverse operations, significantly contributing to FAB's power projection and logistical mobility," he explained. |
 |
 |
| Left to right: Eurocopter EC.725 Cougar (H-36) (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). |
