Cruzex 2024
Natal Air Base (BANT)
Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
November 3-7, 2024
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The Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (Paraguay Air Force) provided three Embraer EMB 312 Tucano AT-27 operating with the Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT), 3er Escuadron de Caza, based at Silvio Pettirossi IAP. In Paraguay their mission is ground attack in counter-insurgency missions. In support was a CASA C-212-200 Aviocar operated by Servicio de Transporte Aéreo Militar (SETAM), Grupo de Transporte Aereo (GTA) also based at Silvio Pettirossi IAP.
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.
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| Left to right: Embraer EMB 312 Tucano AT-27 (1052) with Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT), 3er Escuadron de Caza, Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (Paraguayan Air Force). It is based at Silvio Pettirossi IAP. |
| Left to right: Embraer EMB 312 Tucano AT-27 (1058) with Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT), 3er Escuadron de Caza, Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (Paraguayan Air Force). It is based at Silvio Pettirossi IAP. |
| Left to right: Embraer EMB 312 Tucano AT-27 (1051) with Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT), 3er Escuadron de Caza, Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (Paraguayan Air Force). It is based at Silvio Pettirossi IAP. |
| Left to right: CASA C-212-200 Aviocar (2035) with Servicio de Transporte Aéreo Militar (SETAM), Grupo de Transporte Aereo (GTA), Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (Paraguay Air Force). It is based at Silvio Pettirossi IAP. |
