Between day 5 until day14 of November came another edition of CRUZEX ( Exercise Southern Cross ) in Brazil . This was a multinational air exercise organized by the Brazilian Air Force and aimed to train in advanced missions conducted in the environment of modern warfare . The cooperation and good relationship between the Air Force participants increased after participation in a training at this level . The main base of operations was the Natal Air Force Base , where they were based fighters and helicopters . In Recife Air Force Base were based refueling and electronics surveillance aircraft. Both Air Force Bases are in the northeast of Brazil , across the Atlantic Ocean .
During the event the various Air Forces were able to simulate various combat situations in a real war scenario . They conducted a great learning with friendly forces and also everyone could exercise their techniques . In this edition the following countries participated and their aircraft :
Brazil :
17 fighters Northrop F - 5M
05 Fighters Dassault Mirage F -2000
07 AMX attack aircraft A- 1
03 reconnaissance aircraft AMX RA- 1
05 light attack aircraft Embraer A- 29
02 surveillance aircraft electronic E- 99
02 tanker KC - 130 Hercules
02 transport C - 130 Hercules
02 transport EADS C -105 Amazonas
01 SAR EADS C -105 Amazonas
04 Helicopters Sikorsky H - 60L Blackhawk
03 Helicopters MIL MI 24 AH - 2 Sabre
01 Helicopter Bell H - 1H
01 helicopter H -34 Eurocopter Super Puma
USA
06 Fighters General Dynamics F - 16 Fighting Falcon
01 Tanker Boeing KC -135 Stratotanker .
Uruguay:
03 Cessna A- 37 Dragonfly.
03 aircraft FMA IA -58 Pucara .
Colombia :
01 Tanker Boeing 767-200 Jupiter
04 aircraft Cessna A- 37 Dragonfly
Venezuela :
05 Fighters General Dynamics F - 16 Fighting Falcon
Canada:
02 transport C - 130J Hercules
Ecuador :
03 light attack aircraft Embraer A- 29
Chile :
06 Fighters General Dynamics F - 16 Fighting Falcon
01 Tanker Boeing KC -135 Stratotanker
Reporters and photographers accredited by the Brazilian Air Force were very well received, having access to several spotting points, always accompanied by bilingual military staff and record all activities on the ground. On day 05 the press actively participated in media day, when 84 journalists were able to interview the commanders of the forces involved. Thanks to Brazilian Air Force!
The big news in this issue was the "shot validation" in real time , allowing greater realism in the fighting , with the immediate withdrawal of the plane " shot down " .
The Brazilian Air Force revield the first unit of the modernized model A- 1M AMX now able to operate with a brand new multimode radar and new integrated weapons systems , which increases in twenty years his operations . Cruzex also debuted the Russian helicopters Mil- MI , in Brazil called Sabre .
For ten days the skies of northeastern Brazil were scratched by contrails and the noise of the fast and furious jets in their fierce fighting. The airport of Natal city saw a jam in your taxiway when taking off F-16, Mirage F-2000, F-5M, A-1 AMX, Pucarás, A-37 and A-29, mingled with Boeing 737, Airbus A-320 and ATR-72. Sweet noise for aviation enthusiasts and an unforgettable sight for spotters!
F-5 pilot - Brazil
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img812/7389/rdqn.jpg)
Pucará - Uruguai
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img163/8325/jto3.jpg)
F-16 - Venezuela
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img844/6743/osbf.jpg)
F-5M - Brazil
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img31/1779/aawd.jpg)
F-16 - Chile
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img833/7185/2v6q.jpg)
F-16 - USA
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img542/523/wjd8.jpg)
AMX A-1M - Brazil
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img46/2671/4hng.jpg)
A-H2 Sabre - Brazil
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img20/7486/2a73.jpg)
Mirage F-2000 - Brazil
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img443/562/s7p5.jpg)
A-29 - Ecuador
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img850/5411/gbat.jpg)
KC-135 - USA
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img35/504/7qc9.jpg)
F-16 - Chile
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img202/5755/2na5.jpg)
E-99 - Brazil
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img30/6896/rtcr.jpg)
F-16 - USA
![](http://imageshack.us/a/img89/1865/r7ss.jpg)
H-60 Blackhawk - Brazil
![](http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5417/oirv.jpg)
Uploaded with
ImageShack.usA-H2 Sabre (Brazil) and F-16 (Chile)
![](http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/8416/58ii.jpg)
Uploaded with
ImageShack.usKC-767 Júpiter - Colômbia
![](http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1065/eejz.jpg)
Uploaded with
ImageShack.us