Operation Formosa 2016 to Train Marines in the Brazilian Midwest

By Roberto Cordeiro, Public Affairs Office, Brazilian Ministry of Defense
October 24, 2016

Under the bright sunshine that bathes the Brazilian savanna, 2,400 marines from Rio de Janeiro are conducting war drills. The objective of the exercises is to prepare service members from the Brazilian Navy to confront from the most common to the most extreme situation. On October 17th, Defense Minister Raul Jungmann, general officers from the Naval Force, and foreign observers gathered at Bonsucesso Farm, an Army training camp located almost 100 kilometers from the center of Brasilia, to observe the training. After observing the attack and defense exercises, troop debarking and the employment of robots to disarm explosives, Minister Jungmann stated that the marines constitute “the front line composed of these brave professionals, empowered with performance and discipline,” “I bring the message from President Michel Temer for the conduct, discipline, commitment, and bravery of the marines,” said the Minister. Operation Formosa Jungmann arrived at the training camp the morning of October 17th to observe the exercises during Operation Formosa. Accompanied by the Chief of the Joint General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMCFA) Vice Admiral Ademir Sobrinho, Minister Jungmann was welcomed by the commander of the Marine Force Fleet (FFE), Vice Admiral Alexandre José Barreto de Mattos. Inside an air conditioned tent, Vice Adm. Alexandre presented details of the training operation. “This type of exercise requires great discipline and overcoming obstacles, as well as intense planning. And the Formosa Training Field structure facilitates training for these activities,” said Vice Adm. de Alexandre. The troops traveled 1,022 miles to arrive at Bonsucesso Farm. They began their deployment in Rio de Janeiro, in a logistics operation that required the ability to mobilize. The convoy included 59 light vehicles, 71 heavy vehicles, 25 armored vehicles and 50 buses. After the briefing, Minister Jungmann stepped outside for a demonstration at a traffic checkpoint, where service members simulated the boarding of a suspect vehicle. A robot identified and detonated an explosive device on the bumper of the car. Nearby, a decontamination exercise was performed after a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) attack. The mock wounded soldiers were taken to the field hospital and treated according to the severity of their injuries. Afterwards, the minister toured the hospital and observed the main medical activities of the unit. Training camp Afterward, the delegation proceeded to the training camp where the marines demonstrated real war situations. The exercise began with the airdrop of service members from the Tonelero Special Operations Battalion. The infiltration of paratroopers demonstrated territory reconnaissance operations. Immediately afterwards, AF-1 aircraft dropped bombs. Tanks reached the area to disembark service members and to fire missiles, scenarios that demonstrated the military readiness to face the most diverse situations. At the end of the exercise, Jungmann spoke to 1,400 marines and emphasized the importance of the Navy’s elite troop. “The marines are the first line of homeland protection. I have seen another example of professionalism here. I send you my regards and leave with the certainty that Brazil is in good hands,” he said.