Jet Blast Area - Cruzex 2024

In November 2024, the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) organised a new edition of the biggest multinational operational war exercise in Latin America: Cruzeiro do Sul (CRUZEX). Soldiers from Brazil and 15 allied countries took part to this 2-weeks training from November 3rd to Novembre 15th in Natal, Rio Grande. Jet Blast Area was there to cover the event and to bring back insights and shots of this exotic exercise.

CRUZEX 2024 planning and organization

Since 2002, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has hosted CRUZEX, the largest aerial warfare training event in the region, which continues to attract a growing list of participants. The first edition was held at Canoas Air Base, but the event moved to Natal, RN, in 2004, to Anápolis in 2006, and then returned to Natal for the editions held in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2018. Natal was chosen for its favorable weather, the excellent infrastructure at the base, and the absence of significant civilian air traffic in the region.

In 2022, the first planning conference was held for the organization of a new CRUZEX edition. It was decided that it would take place in Natal again, in 2024 after a six-year hiatus since the previous edition. Following planning conferences were held in Natal, culminating in the Intermediate Planning Conference in April 2024, which included representatives from the allied nations participating in the exercise. From August 9 to 15, the 7th Pre-Planning Conference and the Final Planning Conference were conducted. These sessions summarized conclusions from all previous meetings, included technical visits to BANT, and featured workshops alongside operational, logistical, and security discussions. These activities ensured that all aspects of the exercise adhered to the interoperability and security standards set by FAB and the participating forces. As Colonel Ricardo Bevilaqua Mendes, aviator and CRUZEX Coordinator, emphasized, the final meeting was crucial for aligning strategies and meticulously planning every detail. BANT led logistical and support operations, ensuring that all activities ran efficiently and safely.

To support operations, BANT established the Maintenance Support Center (MSC), which was tasked with managing the supply and maintenance of participating aircraft. Organized by the Natal Logistics Group, the MSC facilitated continuous access to essential resources, including aviation fuel and gases, ensuring squadrons received ongoing technical support. This effort maximized operational time and minimized potential disruptions.

The Group Troop and Transport (1st GTT, Zeus Squadron) played a key role in supporting CRUZEX by mobilizing equipment and assembling personnel during the final preparation phase. During the exercise, the squadron trained in various capabilities, including in-flight refueling, aerial resupply, airborne assault, infiltration, and exfiltration. The training also included leading missions as the Airlift Package Leader and practicing self-defense using the onboard systems of the KC-390 Millenium aircraft.

CRUZEX2024 group picture. ©Força Aérea Brasileira

Representatives of the main air forces of CRUZEX on the opening day of exercise.

Participants of CRUZEX 2024

The 2024 edition of CRUZEX showcased a wide variety of air assets from various Latin American air forces, as well as participants from farther parts of the world.

As hosts of the event, the FAB was represented by a diverse fleet of aircraft, most notably the modern F-39 Gripen fighters and the KC-390 Millennium, both of which participated in a military exercise for the first time. The FAB contingent also included F-5EM/FM, A-1AM/BM, and A-29B aircraft, as well as C-99 and C-105/SC-105 Amazonas transport aircraft, R-99/E-99M reconnaissance aircraft, and H-36 Caracal helicopters, although these last ones did not fly a lot. For more details about the FAB participation, see the dedicated part of the article.

The Brazilian Navy participated in the exercise with two Douglas A-4KU fighter jets from the VF-1 Squadron. These aircraft attended only the first week of the event but were among the most anticipated due to their rarity. Alongside the Argentine Air Force, Brazil was one of the final military operators of this aircraft type. However, Argentina ceased Skyhawk operations after a tragic crash in July 2024 claimed the life of a pilot. The 1st Interceptor and Strike Fighter Squadron, nicknamed "Falcões" and based at São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base in Rio de Janeiro, has become the last squadron in the world to fly the Skyhawk from aircraft carriers. For the Brazilian Navy, acquiring the Skyhawk was an "opportunity purchase" in the late 1990s. They took advantage of Kuwait Air Force’s retired aircraft, which were in excellent condition—averaging 1,700 flight hours, minimal corrosion due to desert operation, and a substantial stock of spare parts. In 1998, Brazil received 20 single-seat A-4KU and 3 dual-seat TA-4KU jets, locally designated AF-1 and AF-1A, and later renamed AF-1B and AF-1C. Today, it is said that only five Skyhawks remain in service with the Brazilian Navy—three AF-1B and two AF-1C—making them exceptionally rare.

The international participants were numerous, including both regular attendees of CRUZEX and some newcomers. The South American participants were as follows:

- Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force): The FACh sent five F-16C/D Block 50 Fighting Falcons from Grupo de Aviación Nº3, as well as a Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker from Grupo de Aviación Nº10 to support the fighters, being the very last operator of the type in the world.

- Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA, Argentine Air Force): The FAA participated with four IA-63 Pampa aircraft, locally produced advanced trainer jets with combat capabilities. This aircraft, used exclusively by Argentina, was built by Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) with assistance from Germany’s Dornier, which explains its resemblance to the Alphajet. Additionally, the FAA sent a KC-130H for airlift and aerial refueling missions.

- Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP, Peruvian Air Force): While the FAP initially planned to send Mirage 2000P aircraft to CRUZEX 2024, they unfortunately had to cancel. However, they still participated with four Korean-made KAI KT-1P aircraft with combat capabilities. Additionally, they sent a KC-130H, one of two examples transferred from the Spanish Air Force to Peru in 2020.

- Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP, Paraguayan Air Force): Participating in CRUZEX for the first time, the Paraguayan Air Force marked a significant milestone. They sent a CASA C-212 Aviocar for paratrooping missions and three Embraer 312 Tucano trainer aircraft from the 3° Escuadrón de Caza "Moros," based in Asunción.

- Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC, Colombian Air Force): The FAC initially announced plans to participate with IAI Kfir fighters but later canceled. However, they still contributed to the exercise with a Boeing 767-200MRTT "Jupiter," which performed air-to-air refueling missions with allied aircraft.

Two countries from outside Latin America also sent aircraft to CRUZEX for the 2024 edition:

- United States Air Force (USAF): The USAF brought six Boeing F-15C Eagles from the 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard, nicknamed the "Bayou Militia" and based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. This same unit previously participated in Air Defender 2023 in Germany (find the report here). The F-15s flew daily sorties alongside other participants in the exercise. Additionally, the USAF deployed a Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker from the 77th Air Refueling Squadron based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

- Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force): Participating in CRUZEX for the first time, the Portuguese Air Force brought one of its brand-new Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft. It flew alongside FAB units, fostering interoperability among users of the same airframe.

Observers from Canada, France, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, and Uruguay were also present for all or part of the exercise.

Fuerza Aérea Colombiana Boeing KC-767-200ER-MRTT Jupiter

US Air Force Boeing F-15C Eagle

Fuerza Aérea Argentina Lockheed KC-130H Hercules

Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya CASA C-212 Aviocar

Fuerza Aérea de Chile Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon

Fuerza Aérea del Peru KAI KT-1P Wongbee

Fuerza Aérea del Peru Lockheed KC-130H Hercules

Fuerza Aérea Argentina IA-63 Pampa

Fuerza Aerea de Chile Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker

Força Aerea Portuguesa & Força Aérea Brasileira Embraer KC-390 Millenium

Fuerza Aerea de Chile Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker

Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya Embraer 312 Tucano

Fuerza Aérea Argentina IA-63 Pampa

Marinha do Brasil Douglas TA-4KU / AF-1A Skyhawk

CRUZEX 2024: a milestone for the Força Aérea Brasileira

The 2024 edition of CRUZEX marked a significant milestone for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), as it was the first large-scale exercise to feature two of their newest and most advanced aircraft: the F-39E Gripen fighter and the KC-390 Millennium. This was not only a showcase of Brazil's growing airpower but also an opportunity to test these platforms under the demanding conditions of a multinational training exercise.

For the F-39E Gripen, CRUZEX 2024 provided a critical opportunity to integrate the aircraft into complex scenarios, assessing its performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions alongside allied forces. As said by the FAB's representatives, the Gripen E is still in development but has proven its capacity and effectiveness. Its participation showed FAB's commitment to modernizing its fleet and improving its operational capabilities. During the exercise, the fighter conducted both red air (attack) and blue air (defence) missions.

The KC-390 Millennium also took on a central role, participating in various configurations, including reconnaissance, cargo transport, and aerial refueling. This exercise allowed the FAB to demonstrate and validate the versatility of the KC-390 in real-world scenarios while working alongside allied squadrons. The aircraft’s ability to adapt to multiple mission profiles made it an essential asset during the exercise, highlighting its operational efficiency and reliability.

In addition to these new platforms, Embraer R-99 and E-99M aircraft played an important role in providing airborne early warning, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. E-99M aircraft played a critical role in Composite Air Operations (COMAO) by performing In-Flight Control and Alarm actions. Equipped with the advanced ERIEYE airborne radar, the E-99M could detect aircraft at long ranges, including low-altitude targets, distinguishing between friendly and enemy units. This capability, combined with the FAB's ground radar network, ensured comprehensive airspace surveillance and control, even in areas lacking fixed radar coverage, such as remote or mountainous regions. Meanwhile, R-99 aircraft served as Airborne Communication Stations (PCOM-AR), facilitating seamless communication between airborne assets and ground control units, which was vital for the coordination and success of the exercise’s operations. Every day one of the types left the base prior to the start of the operations, to come back after the last recoveries.

The FAB’s participation was further reinforced by its "older" fleets, with F-5EM/FM Tiger II, A-1AM/BM (AMX), A-29 Super Tucano and CASA C-105A Amazonas aircraft. The F-5EM/FM fighter jets, modernized to meet current operational standards, performed air defense missions and engaged in combat scenarios with allied forces, demonstrating their enduring relevance in the FAB’s fleet. The A-1AM/BM, known for its ground attack capabilities, played a key role in precision strike missions, while the A-29 Super Tucano, renowned for its versatility, carried out close air support, reconnaissance, and light attack missions. The CASA C-105A performed a wide variety of missions such as logistics and paratrooping.

Beyond testing new equipment and improving legacy equipment usage, CRUZEX 2024 was a valuable opportunity for the FAB to train alongside neighboring and allied air forces, improving regional cooperation and strengthening interoperability. The exercise featured highly complex operations, such as Combined Air Operations (COMAO), where multiple air assets were coordinated to achieve shared objectives. These scenarios enabled crews to refine their tactics, improve coordination, and prepare for joint missions under realistic operational conditions.

Força Aérea Brasileira Embraer E-99M

Força Aérea Brasileira Saab F-39E Gripen

Força Aérea Brasileira Embraer KC-390 Millenium

Força Aérea Brasileira AMX A-1AM

Força Aérea Brasileira Saab 340

Força Aérea Brasileira Casa C-105A Amazonas

Força Aérea Brasileira Embraer EMB340 Super Tucano

Força Aérea Brasileira Saab F-39E Gripen

Força Aérea Brasileira F-5EM Tiger II

Força Aérea Brasileira Embraer KC-390 Millenium

Força Aérea Brasileira Saab F-39E Gripen

CRUZEX 2024 - A complete span of missions

The first week of CRUZEX 2024 set the foundation for the exercise with Familiarization (FAM) flights. These missions enabled crews to adapt to the operational area, establishing a baseline for the challenging scenarios that would follow. Force Integration Training (FIT) flights soon followed, emphasizing collaboration between air forces as they began to work together seamlessly. By mid-week, squadrons transitioned into Composite Air Operations (COMAO), the cornerstone of CRUZEX. These complex missions involved multiple aircraft executing pre-planned scenarios while alternating between “blue forces” (friendly) and “red forces” (opposition) roles. The changing of these roles created tactical simulations that tested each participant's skills, coordination, and decision-making under pressure. As the second week progressed, CRUZEX 2024 introduced scenarios with increasing operational complexity. Artificial limitations on aircraft capabilities added an additional layer of challenge, compelling pilots to develop innovative solutions. This methodology not only balanced the playing field among participants but also encouraged the development of adaptive thinking and doctrinal capabilities.

CRUZEX 2024 also highlighted the importance of preparing for modern warfare domains, such as cyber and space operations. The incorporation of these elements reflects the evolving nature of global conflicts and the need for armed forces to stay ahead of emerging threats.

The Space Operations Cell (SPACE) played a central role in the exercise, demonstrating how the space domain intersects with air and defense operations. Organized into two subcells — Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Earth Observation (EO) — SPACE conducted advanced operations that ranged from monitoring space weather and simulating anti-satellite events to using Synthetic Aperture Radar and optical imagery to track airborne targets. The SDA subcell focused on analyzing orbital data, identifying potential threats to space assets, and proposing countermeasures. Monitoring space weather, for instance, proved vital in ensuring the accuracy of GPS-guided weapons and maintaining satellite communications, both critical components of modern air operations. Meanwhile, the EO subcell emphasized the use of satellite imagery for intelligence and reconnaissance. A notable highlight of CRUZEX 2024 was the collaboration between Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and the United States, which worked together to acquire and share real-time satellite imagery of exercise targets. This cooperation underscored the strategic importance of space-based capabilities in joint operations.

For the first time, CRUZEX incorporated a cyber dimension into its training, integrating air and cyber domains into a unified defense strategy. At the heart of CRUZEX Cyber was the Capture The Flag format, where teams of specialists tackled digital threats simulating modern conflict scenarios, including network intrusions and sensitive data breaches. The exercise featured advanced tasks such as system analysis, exploitation of vulnerabilities, cryptography, and network traffic monitoring. Teams competed to uncover and "capture" hidden digital “flags” within systems, mirroring real-world challenges like attacks on communication networks and aircraft control systems. This integration of cyber and air operations provided armed forces with enhanced precision and intelligence. Real-time data from cyber activities enabled immediate adjustments to flight routes, rapid threat identification, and the prevention of fratricide, demonstrating the critical synergy between these operational domains.

CRUZEX motto - A Guerra é Simulada. O Treinamento é Real. (War is simulated. Training is real.)

Thanks to the FAB for the organization of the media days. Thanks to the VF-1 squadron for their availability, and to CJ Van Der Ende for his help.