Cruzex 2024
Natal Air Base (BANT)
Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
November 3-7, 2024
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The United States deployed six McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles from the 159 Fighter Wing, 122nd Fighter Squadron 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard (LA ANG). Based at New Orleans NAS (Alvin Callender Field). Also deployed was a Boeing KC-46 Pegasus from the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve, based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
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: F-15C Eagle (85-0102 'JZ' '159 FW' ) from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (85-0102 'JZ' '159 FW' ) from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (85-0102 'JZ' '159 FW' ) from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (85-0102 'JZ' '159 FW' ) from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (81-0036 'JZ') from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (81-0036 'JZ') from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (82-0017 'JZ') from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (82-0017 'JZ') from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (82-0010 'JZ') from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard. |
Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0174 'JZ') from the 159 FW, 122nd FS 'Bayou Militia', Louisiana Air National Guard.
The sun sheds with the six F-15C Eagles. |
| Left to right: Boeing KC-46 Pegasus (18-46055) with the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve, based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. |
