Aviation Photography - Cruzex 2024

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

The Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh - Chilean Air Force) deployed five Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 50 Fighting Falcons from Grupo de Aviación Nº3 based at Iquique/Diego Aracena Base Aérea Los Condores. In support was Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker with Grupo de Aviación Nº10, based at Santiago/Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International (Base Aérea Pudahuel).

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: Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (852) with Grupo de Aviación Nº3, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force). It is based at Iquique/Diego Aracena Base Aérea Los Condores.

Left to right: Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (853) with Grupo de Aviación Nº3, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force). It is based at Iquique/Diego Aracena Base Aérea Los Condores.

Left to right: Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (856) with Grupo de Aviación Nº3, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force). It is based at Iquique/Diego Aracena Base Aérea Los Condores.

Left to right: Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 50 Fighting Falcon (857) with Grupo de Aviación Nº3, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force). It is based at Iquique/Diego Aracena Base Aérea Los Condores.

Left to right: Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 50 Fighting Falcon (859) with Grupo de Aviación Nº3, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force). It is based at Iquique/Diego Aracena Base Aérea Los Condores.

Left to right: Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker (982) with Grupo de Aviación Nº10, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (Chilean Air Force). It is based at Santiago/Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International (Base Aérea Pudahuel).