Page 8 - Desert Lightning News 5-29-15

8 May 29, 2015 Desert Lightning News

That others may live: AFSOUTH heads

to Brazil for Search and Rescue SMEE

Staff Sgt. Adam Grant exchange will help both of our air forces keep The week consisted of presentations from Tech S
their people safe whether it’s during a humani- both air forces to showcase how they executed ists, sp
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs tarian mission or in a combat environment.” SAR operations, followed by a field exercise day, spoke
and a tour of their squadron to meet the men
Campo Grande -- U.S. Airmen traveled to Through continual SMEE engagements with and women who make it possible to perform
Brazil to participate in a week-long subject mat- partner nations like Brazil, the U.S. military is their missions.
ter expert exchange with members of the Bra- able to show support to our allies and partners,
zilian air force, from May 11-15, focusing on as well as collaborate with other nations to ad- On the last day of the exchange the team was
Search and Rescue capabilities. dress common security challenges and help met by the commander of the base.
promote regional security.
The Airmen from Air Forces Southern’ s “Always remember there is no greater re-
347th Rescue Group and 571st Mobility Sup- “The team that’s assembled here really allows ward then the feeling of having saved a life,” said
port Advisory Squadron, supported a week- us to cover all aspects of SAR,” said Maj. Eric Oliveira. “In the words of Andy form from Toy
long exchange of SAR best practices with a goal Navarrete, Air Forces Southern regional af- Story, ‘you’ve got a friend in me’.”
of strengthening the partnership between the fairs specialist. “With this amount of expertise
United States and the Brazilian air forces. I’m confident that there will be an amazing ex- Airmen from 12th Air Force (Air Forces
change of knowledge and both air forces will be Southern) routinely visit partner nations in
“We share the same goal of keeping our able to take something back to their force that Central and South America, as well as the Ca-
people safe,” said Col. Oliveira, Campo Grande they didn’t have knowledge of before.” ribbean to exchange knowledge and ideas cov-
Brazilian air force base wing commander. This ering a variety of military disciplines.

Memb
Forces
the air

Members of the Brazilian air force point out specific landing zones for their aircraft during a tour on their squadron during a week-long exchange focused on enhancing Search and Rescue, May
15 in Campo Grande, Brazil. During the week-long exchange, Air Forces Southern members were merged with their Brazilian counterparts and received an up-close view of how their Brazilian
colleagues enable the SAR mission.