MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US troops to perform joint exercises in Brazilian Amazon

The visiting troops will be carrying state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, optical devices, as well as control and communication technology

US troops will be commencing Tuesday a training exercise in Brazil's Eastern Amazon area, Agencia Brasil reported. Operation Core (Combined Operation and Rotation Exercise) 23, which stems from a bilateral defense deal signed in 2015, will bring together 294 US military personnel with the Brazilian Army from Oct. 24 to Nov. 20 in Belém, the capital of the Northern state of Pará, as well as in the municipalities of Ferreira Gomes, Oiapoque, and Macapá, in Amapá state.

The visiting troops will enter the country with weapons, sensors, optical devices, as well as control and communication technology, it was also explained.

In May, a delegation of US military personnel visited the Northern Military Command (CMN) to assess structural conditions and supplies linked to health and food. Evaluated at the time were the 2nd Jungle Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Supply Company of the 8th Supply Depot, in Belém; the Clevelândia do Norte Special Border Company, in Oiapoque; and the 34th Jungle Infantry Battalion, in Macapá.

According to the Brazilian Army, during Operation Core 23 the two military forces intend to exchange experiences on defense techniques, tactics, and procedures. The primary objective of the exercise is to strengthen military cooperation between the countries.

Since early this year, the Brazilian Army has conducted combined operations with military forces from other countries, such as its participation in Operation Fer de Lance in March, carried out by the French

Armed Force. In French Guiana, the exercise brought together the Army, Navy, and Air Force of Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana.

In Argentina, Operation Arandu combined the armies of both countries at the General Ávalos Training Camp in Monte Caseros. In July and August, troops exchanged military experiences in staff planning.

The last international initiative before Core 23 was Paraná III, with military personnel from 15 countries in Brazil for a humanitarian aid exercise. The training focused on the international effort to provide medical care in field hospitals, air and river rescue operations, landslide areas, and the delivery of supplies in disaster areas.

(Source: Agencia Brasil)