MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Cruzex” air exercise in northeast Brazil

A joint air exercise with the participation of Air Forces from several South American countries, South Africa and France began this Monday in the northeast of Brazil.

"Cruzex 2004" will extend until November 20 and covers an extensive area including the states of Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba and Pernambuco.

The South American countries involved are Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay as an observer.

The exercise has the purpose of planning and executing procedures for decision making at General Staff level. Air theatre operations include offensive and defensive actions including in flight refueling plus combat search and rescue missions.

The training is directed in support of combined offensive and defensive operations in a combat theatre.

The area chosen for "Cruzex 2004" includes jungle, coastline, offshore and urban areas in a tropical climate.

Two main Brazilian air bases, Natal and Fortaleca, will be involved in the fictitious clash between two countries, Green and Yellow, fighting over an area rich in mineral resources. Following the invasion of Green by Yellow forces, a coalition force, Blue, under United Nations command is tasked with repelling the Yellow invaders and restoring original borders.

The Blue coalition will be integrated with units from Brazil, Argentina, France and Venezuela. Brazil is participating with a total of 25 units which have been called into action from several states.

According to an official release Argentina is participating with 6 Skyhawk A4-AR; one Hercules for personnel transport and a special Hercules KC-130 for air refueling operations.