Throughout yesterday, November 2, images and videos of the arrival of U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter-bombers at Natal Air Base in Brazil began to go viral on social media. The presence of these aircraft, which are flying over northern Brazil for the first time, is due to their participation in the Multinational Exercise CRUZEX 2024, which brings together the main air forces of the region for combined multinational maneuvers.
From November 3 to 15, Natal Air Base will be the epicenter of the CRUZEX 2024 activities. With the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) as the host, the exercise will involve the participation of the air forces from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Peru, Paraguay, and Portugal, in addition to other forces present as observers.
Regarding the participation of the U.S. Air Force, this marks the first deployment to Brazil of a detachment of four F-15C Eagle fighter jets belonging to the Air National Guard. Specifically, these are fighter-bombers from the 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard, based at the Joint Reserve Naval Base in New Orleans.
The presence of the Eagles in South America has a recent precedent from 2023, when F-15C aircraft from the Air National Guard were sent to Colombia to participate in Exercise Lightning VIII. Additionally, last year, other high-profile U.S. Air Force assets were deployed to various countries on the continent, such as Chile and Peru, which hosted AC-130J Ghostrider gunships and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, respectively.
Meanwhile, the presence of the F-15C in Brazil is complemented by other support aircraft that have recently arrived at Natal Air Base, such as C-17 Globemaster III transport planes. According to the organization of Exercise CRUZEX 2024, there are also KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft present.
Videos:
Credits for photographs and videos: Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
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