Nearly 18 months ago, when the year 2020 started, the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira or FAB) did not expect to be fighting a real war against an invisible enemy that was taking over the world and Brazil. Demanding that men and women of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) make efforts greater than themselves, FAB was asked to join Operation COVID-19, to bring relief to the country and deliver supplies across the whole nation in this arduous struggle against the ongoing pandemic.

Since then, FAB has been carrying the nation’s hopes of better times on their wings every day. With a spirit forged for battle, the Brazilian Air Force has achieved more than 5,770 flight hours in missions to combat COVID-19 since the beginning of operations in March 2020. In all, 5,142 tonnes of supplies and equipment were transported, in addition to 877 patients and 6,400 people, majority being health professionals. FAB aircraft took vaccines to the most remote points of the country, carried thousands of tons of oxygen for people in the Northern Region and transported hundreds of patients waiting for medical help to several Brazilian cities. Even, Brazilian Air Force Olympic athletes were immunized against COVID-19.

While the use of aircraft by FAB could be seen by all, actions taken by the other organisations like FAB’s logistics area, who took care of the infrastructure, procurement and logistical transport were also critical to the entire operations.

From the time of Operation Return to the Motherland, which took place in February 2020, FAB has carried out several missions in Operation COVID-19 with the sole objective of minimising the impacts of the Coronavirus. Following are the missions that the Air Force has been carrying out since Brazil started to act in the war against the virus.

REPATRIATION OF BRAZILIANS

FAB placed two aircraft VC-2 available, in February 2020, to rescue 34 Brazilians and family members who were in Wuhan, China, epicenter of the new Coronavirus. In addition to the crew, the aircraft carried health professionals for monitoring the safety of these people. In April 2020, a C-130 Air Force Hercules was sent for the repatriation of 50 Brazilians who were in Venezuela. Then there was also the rescue of 66 citizens who were held back in Cuzco, Peru.

Brazilian Air Force has achieved more than 5,770 flight hours in missions to combat COVID-19 since the beginning of operations in March 2020

DISTRIBUTION OF MEALS

During Operation COVID-19, in May 2020, the Brazilian Air Force carried out production and distribution of meals for truckers traveling on the coast São Paulo. A structure was assembled for the preparation, storage and distribution of the food. The intention was to offer an option to truck drivers due to the restriction on delivery of food at service stations located along the highway.

MAKING MASKS

In an effort towards preventive care for COVID-19, thousands of masks of face protection were produced by military equipment specialists as well as in partnership with SENAI of Rio Grande do Norte.

SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGNS

During 2020, the FAB held campaigns for collection of food, clothing and toiletries. With the isolation scenario due to the pandemic, many families were left in a vulnerable situation. The distribution of these kits was aimed at alleviating some of the main needs suffered by them.

TRANSPORT OF PPE KITS

Still in the first half of 2020, the Air Force completed several Air Transport missions carrying equipment of personal protection, among them, gloves, aprons, alcohol in gel, face shield type masks. The supplies destinations were the Health Departments of several states in Brazil to serve patients and also professionals from the frontline of combat to COVID-19. For the transport, the FAB employed aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, C-98 Caravan and C-105 Amazon.

DISINFECTION OF PUBLIC PLACES

The Air Force performed, throughout Brazil, disinfection actions and decontamination of public places like hospitals, ports, airports, aircraft, sights, schools and other facilities with the aim to reduce the transmission possibilities of the new Coronavirus.

SUPPORT TO INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) maintains support in Air Transport Logistics to carry out Civic Action-Social in indigenous communities. In addition to the transport of personnel from Health departments and medical supplies, masks are also taken, protective coveralls, gloves, alcohol in gel, malaria test kits and COVID-19, medicines and food baskets. Actions occurred through the Air Force helicopters, capable of reaching distant and difficult places with no access for takeoffs and landings.

BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN

In September 2020, the FAB voluntarily promoted, within their Military organisations, a campaign to donate blood. Objective was to encourage military personnel, civilians and dependents for blood donation, given the constant need of blood supply from centers all over the country for combatting the Coronavirus. More than 43,000 donations were made by military personnel.

SUPPORT WITH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Health professionals from the Brazilian Air Force, from more distinct specialties, working on the front line combatting the pandemic, have dedicated their attention and efforts in assisting victims of COVID-19. The command of the Air Force set up Cellular Health Units (UCS) - a kind of mini field hospitals - in the Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Natal (RN) and Campo Grande (MS), in the year 2020; in addition to 16 tents that served of wards at the Delphina Aziz State Hospital in Manaus (AM) and other UCS in mounted vaccination posts at the Aerospace Museum (MUSAL) and at the Air Base of the Galeão, both in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), in 2021.

FAB aircraft took vaccines to the most remote points of the country, carried thousands of tons of oxygen for people and transported hundreds of patients

PATIENT TRANSPORT

In January 2021, the FAB started to transport patients admitted to hospitals of Manaus (AM) to other parts of the country. The health system from that state faced difficulties and, to minimize the impacts, hundreds of patients were removed, on board C-105 aircraft Amazonas, C-99 and C-97 Brasília, to other cities.

OXYGEN DISTRIBUTION HUB

With the need to mitigate the lack of oxygen crisis the hub was transferred to the Air Base of Brasilia (DF) so that the aircraft can load and unload the tanks and proper distribution for the supply of oxygen to Manaus and other cities in the state can be ensured.

OXYGEN TRANSPORT

Still focused on service to the health system of the Amazonas, the C-130 Hercules, C-105 Amazonas and C-390 Millennium aircraft performed daily missions to Manaus (AM) and other locations in the state. The cargo on board was oxygen cylinders, liquid oxygen tanks and also oxygen plants. In one of these missions, in January 2021, the C-390 performed for the first time the transport of five tanks of liquid oxygen – about 5,500 kg of cargo – from the Base São Paulo Airline (BASP) to Manaus Air Base (BAMN), in the capital of Amazonas and to the city of Parintins, second city most populous in the Amazon.

RESPIRATOR TRANSPORT

As the pandemic spread throughout the country, the Ministry of Health, through the Ministry of Defence, requested FAB the transport of respirators to equip hospitals in the country. Transport Group Aircraft Special (GTE) and other aircraft, like the C-95 Bandeirante, participated in the Operation, taking and then distributing the equipment to hospital units throughout Brazil.

VACCINE TRANSPORT

After approval of the emergency use of the vaccine against COVID-19 in Brazil and upon arrival of the first batch from India, at the beginning of January 2021, the distribution of doses occurred. Taking the input to the states, aircraft of the FAB started to fulfill several missions, with the H-36 Caracal and H-60L Black Hawk helicopters and the C-98A Caravan aircraft, which carried vaccines for indigenous populations and other residents of hard to reach locations.

The Brazilian Air Force continues to operate around the clock to help those in need of support. FAB found a strong ally in the C-390 Millennium during Operation COVID-19. The new multi-mission aircraft fulfills, constant missions requested by the Ministry of Defence, providing support to Brazilians with transportation equipment, supplies, vehicles, etc. Since the first actions were carried out, such as the Operation Return to the Motherland Beloved Brazil and Operation COVID-19, FAB personnel from all over Brazil are ready to meet the demands of the country.

During these challenging times, FAB continues to work selflessly and is prepared to overcome all obstacles. The war against Coronavirus has not yet ended but as always, Brazilians can count on the FAB for the most diverse and decisive actions in coping with the pandemic.