US military agents to receive training in Amazon
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has authorized a group of 294 military personnel from the US to come to the country and take part in a combined exercise with the Brazilian Army in the Eastern Amazon.
The activities will take place from October 24 to November 20 in Belém, capital of the Northern state of Pará, as well as in the municipalities of Ferreira Gomes, Oiapoque, and Macapá, in Amapá state. Operation Core 23 (Combined Operation and Rotation Exercise) comes as part of a defense cooperation agreement forged in 2015 between the governments of the two nations.
In addition to the contingent of military personnel, the US agents will enter the country with weapons, sensors, optical devices, as well as control and communication technology.
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.
International exercise
Since the beginning of 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.
