A Sample Feature From Aviation News

Cruzex 2004

Aviation News’ Bob Archer flies down to Brazil to report on a major air exercise which turned out to hold more than just combat evaluation, the long-term prize being the Brazilian Mirage III replacement requirement with France keen to secure the order.

Above: Seen departing Base Aerea Fortaleza, two Red forces F-5Es blasting out to cause disruption for the blue forces. The six F-5Es and the A-1s at Fortaleza flew numerous sorties from early morning, until just before dusk.

The evaluation of military forces operating within a realistic framework of fictitious nations at war has become a tried and tested formula, particularly in central Europe. South America has also adopted this principal, with the most recent being CRUZEIRO DO SUL 2004 (Cruzex 04) which was staged in north-eastern Brazil between November 7th and 20th. The Multilateral Air Exercise included air forces from Argentina, France and Venezuela, as well as the host nation Brazil, while Peru, South Africa and Uruguay sent observers. Cruzex 2004 was designed as a double-action air force exercise based on a simulated low intensity air campaign scenario within the constraints imposed by peacetime regulations and safety issues. The overseas air arms were formed into a coalition force within Blueland, ranged against the opposing forces of Redland, composed entirely of Brazilian service personnel.

The fictitious scenario established a border dispute between Redland and neighbouring Yellowland due to historic facts and economical interests of a region rich in natural resources, including oil. As a consequence Redland armed forces invaded part of Yellowland. The United Nations approved the organisation of a Coalition Force made up of Argentina, Brazil, France and Venezuela, formed into Blueland, with the main objective to force Redland to retreat from Yellow territory and restore legality and peace between the two belligerent countries.

Above: A highly impressive sight of four Brazilian Mirage IIIEBRs, including the 30th anniversary aircraft, awaiting their pilots at Natal. (All photos by author).

Bases and equipment

The Joint Force Air Component Command (JFACC) was headquartered at Base Aerea Natal, Brazil, where the main offensive contingent (Blue forces) were located, while additional units were stationed at Campina Grande and Recife. The Red forces were located at Fortaleza and Mossaro, west of Natal. The majority of fighter types were housed in sun shelters at Natal comprising six McDonnell Douglas A-4AR Skyhawks and a Lockheed Martin KC-130H Hercules tanker of the Fuerza Aérea Argentina; three Dassault Mirage 2000Cs, a Mirage 2000B, three Mirage 2000Ns, a Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker, and a Boeing E-3F Sentry of the Armée de l’Air; together with two Mirage 50DV and a single 50EV, along with four Lockheed Martin F-16As and an F-16B of the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana. Brazil participated with the largest contingent, drawn from 25 different squadrons. Operating from Natal were six Mirage IIIEBRs, six Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs, nine Embraer A-1A, A-1B, A-1A (recon) (AMX), two Embraer R-99As (EMB-145 AEW&C system - AWACS), a Eurocopter H-34 Cougar, and an Embraer SC-95B Bandeirante – on standby for SAR. The airport at Campina Grande housed the combat SAR element composed of a Bell UH-1H, two H-34 Super Pumas, and two Helibras H-50 (HB.355 Esquilo), all from Brazil, as well as two Venezuelan AS532AC Cougars. The Blue forces were supported by aircraft located at Recife including C-95 and R-95A Bandeirantes, a Gates R-35A Learjet (SLAR equipped, photographic reconnaissance version), an R-99B (EMB-145 reconnaissance system), a KC-130H, and a Boeing KC-707. Recife also housed a dozen A-27/T-27 and AT-27 Super Tucanos, some of which were carrying underwing gun pods. The Red forces main base was at Fortaleza where six F-5Es, six A-1s, C-95 and P-95 Bandeirantes, and a KC-130H were stationed. Red helicopters, composed of UH-1H and UH-50, were positioned at Mossaro Airport, along with Embraer AT-26 Xavantes for ground-attack operations – these being detached from Natal. In total almost 100 aircraft and helicopters were involved – forming one of the largest multi-national exercises ever staged in South America.

Above: The early evening light casts a yellow hue across Venezuelan Mirage 50DV, showing the special markings applied to the tail to commemorate 30 years of Mirage operations in 2003.

Below: R-99A 6701 parked alongside 6700 at Natal during a break in the exercise. The Ericsson PS-890 Erieye phased array radar mounted longitudinally above the fuselage can detect and track targets over land and sea.

Preparing the Exercise

Preparation for the exercise began in March 2004, with subsequent regular planning meetings culminating in the arrival of the first participants on November 5. The period November 8 to 12 was devoted to familiarisation flying, and forces integration training, before the first live exercise was staged on Saturday 13. Monday 15 to Thursday 18 were devoted to live air operations as the fictitious scenario of the war between the coalition forces and Red country opened. Initially this consisted of air superiority missions, before switching to interdiction as the threat from the Red forces air component diminished.

Planning for each day’s flying activity was rotated between the various nations, who were tasked with the overall Combined Air Operations (COMAO). This was particularly demanding as it involved dovetailing together air superiority, ground-attack, combat SAR, aerial refuelling, and reconnaissance into a cohesive element.

Each day, the multi-national aircrew attended a mass briefing, where they were tasked with their individual components, as well as weather details, alternate airfield data, and a host of other information. There were also surprise hit-and-run tactics against Natal air base by the Red air force A-1As and Xavantes to contend with. The area of operations was positioned above largely deserted scrub and jungle areas of north-eastern Brazil, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Positioned close to the Equator, and staged in the austral spring, sunrise was very early each day, although it was dark by 17.30hr each afternoon, resulting in all sorties being staged during daylight hours. Two missions were flown each day during the live operations period, with most being launched as mixed packages. These mixed sorties tended to be flown by aircraft with similar capabilities, such as the 30-year-old Força Aérea Brasileira Mirage IIIEBRs operating alongside those from Venezuela, which were of similar vintage.

Above: With afterburner engaged, this Venezuelan F-16A tucks up the undercarriage as it takes off from Natal. Note the two-tone green and tan camouflage – now a rarity since most air arms have adopted grey paint schemes.

Below: Argentine A-4AR C-906 taxiing at the end of its sortie. A false canopy has been painted on the nosewheel door.

For the rest of this article please see the February 2005 issue.