CRUZEX in Brasil – South America’s largest aerial warfare exercise

The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB) launched the Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise (CRUZEX) 2024 in November 2024 at Natal Air Base (BANT). The exercise involved 16 nations, over 3,000 personnel, and nearly 100 aircraft. CRUZEX aimed to enhance the coordination, tactics, and technical skills of the Armed Forces, focusing on Regular, Regional, and Limited Warfare scenarios. Its phases included familiarization flights (FAM), force integration training (FIT), and advanced composite air operations (COMAO).

CRUZEX 2024 emphasized international collaboration, with participation from countries like the United States of America, Chile, and Argentina. Key aircraft include Brazil’s KC-390 Millennium and its new fighter jet, the F-39 Gripen, flying and fighting alongside other jets like the USAF ANG F-15s and Chilean F-16s.

CRUZEX 2024 had… up to 60 aircraft taking off for the daily morning mission

For Brazil, the F-39 Gripen plays a strategic role, and it was tested in Offensive and Defensive Counter Air missions and advanced tactical operations. Other Brazilian aircraft, such as the F-5EM Tiger II, A-1, and A-29, fulfilled diverse roles in air defense, reconnaissance, and ground attack.
And for the delight of the large number of photographers present during CRUZEX, rare aircraft such as Peruvian KT-1s or a C212 or EMB-321 Tucanos from Paraguay also deployed to Natal Air Base and gave a glimpse of the diversity of military aircraft in South America.

Composite Air Operations (COMAO) were the centerpiece of CRUZEX 2024, emphasizing interoperability among participating forces to execute complex missions under high-pressure scenarios. These COMAOs integrated Brazilian and allied forces to achieve strategic objectives through precision, agility, and cooperation. And they resulted in up to 60 aircraft taking off for the daily morning mission!

As the exercise unfolded in three phases, missions changed from Familiarization (FAM), where crews adapt to local conditions to Forces Integration Training (FIT), focusing on tactics and procedures and finally to large COMAOs, involving large-scale, time-sensitive operations.
During the second week the challenges increased, as artificial limitations on aircraft capabilities or compelling pilots to innovate and adapt in adverse scenarios were introduced. By fostering creativity and doctrinal development, CRUZEX aimed to prepare more than 1,000 pilots for real-life operational demands.

The key to the large scale COMAOs were advanced control systems and specialized aircraft like Brazil’s rare E-99M and R-99, which enhance communication and airspace monitoring. To provide these tasks during CRUZEX, two E-99M and a R-99 were present at Natal.
The E-99M, equipped with the ERIEYE radar, provided long-range surveillance, distinguishing between friendly and enemy aircraft even in remote areas. The R-99 was used for communication between airborne and ground units, ensuring seamless coordination. By doing so, they bolstered mission effectiveness, especially in diverse operational scenarios requiring strict synchronization.
CRUZEX 2024 also incorporates cyber defense and satellite control simulations, introducing participants to modern warfare challenges like GPS interference. This integration of advanced technologies, alongside multinational cooperation, strengthend Brazil’s capability to lead complex joint operations, enhancing readiness and mutual trust among allies.

Transport aircraft comprised of the KC-390 Millennium from Brazil and Portugal as we as C-105 Amazonas (C295) aircraft from Brazil. The Portuguese Air Force’s participation with its KC-390 strengthened international cooperation and shared operational knowledge.
They were complemented by C-130 Hercules from Peru and Argentina, as well as refueling aircraft from the US (KC-46), Chile (KC-135) and Colombia (B767 MMTT). Brazilian KC-390 also supported this role, mainly refueling Brazilian jets using the ‘probe and drogue’ system.

…FAB’s PR took great efforts and showed flexibility in providing adequate and dispersed photo spots all around the airfield…

In retrospective and comparing the previous editions, the CRUZEX 2024 edition was a major step towards the future for the Brazilian Air Force, with the locally produced Embraer KC-390 participating for the first time, as well as their new fighter pride, the Saab F-39 Gripen E.
However, for the aircraft enthusiasts who might have been disappointed about the last minute cancellations of Peruvian M2000s and Colombian Kfirs, the Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawks were still the cherry on the cake…

Lasting two weeks, CRUZEX 2024 produced an impressive 800 missions and 1,500 flight hours at an impressive 98% operational success rate. The complex multinational missions highlighted the importance of collaboration and cutting-edge aviation in addressing modern defense challenges. As such, it manifested its position as South America’s largest aerial warfare exercise.

And for the aviation enthusiasts, CRUZEX 2024 was a splendid opportunity to get a glimpse of many rare aircraft from larger parts of South America. Despite the fact that photography turned out to be challenging with the usual cloud showing up during aircraft movements and the sun being high in the sky due to being very close to the Equator, the FAB’s PR took great efforts and showed flexibility in providing adequate and dispersed photo spots all around the airfield. But still, a whole week on and around the airfield was barely enough to return home with a good selection of all the colorful variety of aircraft that were present for CRUZEX 2024.

CRUZEX 2024 at Natal, Brasil – Photo Gallery

A word of caution: Whereas Natal is a major tourist destination in Brasil and has to offer some very nice beaches, the city is also listed in the Top 10 of the most violent cities of the world. Consider this if you are planning for a spotting trip outside the airfield. Not for nothing the Military Police regularly patrolled spots outside the airfield when aircraft recovered after their mission and advised photographers not to stay there on their own.