Delegations from the Argentine and Brazilian air forces arrived this weekend at the Chilean Air Force’s Cerro Moreno Air Base (FACh) in Antofagasta, Chile.
They are there to participate in the Salitre 2022 combined air exercise, one of South America’s most important and largest.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) delegation, which arrived Saturday, Oct. 8, consists of a mixed group of
75 military aviators,
6 F-5M Tigre II fighter jets from the 1st/14th Aviation Group’s Pampa Squadron were assigned to the 1st Fighter Aviation Group, and
KC-30 (A300-200) and KC-390 transport aircraft from the 1st/1st Transport Group assigned to the 1st Troop Transport Group.
ARGENTINA DELEGATION
The Argentine Air Force (FAA) delegation, which arrived Sunday, Oct. 9, consists of
81 military personnel,
3 A-4AR Fightinghawk fighter-bombers from the 5th Fighter Group of the 5th Air Brigade,
3 IA-63 Pampa II and III advanced training and light attack aircraft from the 5th Air Brigade’s 6th Fighter Group,
1 Boeing 737-700 transport aircraft and
1 KC-130H Hercules tanker aircraft, both from the 1st Air Transport Group of the 1st Air Force.
FAA and FAB air forces and FACh will begin the execution phase of the exercise this week, which will take place Oct. 10-21.
This phase will include the familiarization phase May 10-13, which will allow pilots to become familiar with the area and local procedures.
Then, between Dec. 14 and 21, the LIVEX (Live Exercise Sub-Phase) will take place, during which crews will use air power in a fictitious situation to improve interoperability among participating air forces by practicing common procedures in accordance with NATO regulations.
Salitre 2022 reflects the continuous and skilled work of each member of the participating air forces.
In this case, with air forces from Argentina, Brazil and Chile in a combined training for which the Chilean Air Force is responsible for planning, coordination and execution, which allows the exchange of experience and knowledge of aircrews participating in this exercise.