The Influence of Aerospace Infrastructure of the Amazon Region in Logistic Support to the Border Platoons of the Brazilian Army

Abstract: Air transport in Amazon Region has a significant strategic importance, given the different geographic and climatic dimensions and characteristics. Part of the border strip is permanently garrisoned by the Special Border Platoons (SBP) of the Brazilian Army, representing the unfolding of the State presence in its frontier boundaries. Special Border Platoons are checkpoints of surveillance and control over transnational illicit activities besides promoting the integration of indigenous peoples and local communities and providing medical and humanitarian support. In this context, the Brazilian Air Force is primarily responsible for air-logistic transportation that supplies the SBP, transporting food, fuel, and ammunition, among others items. Headquartered in Manaus and operated by the 1st/9th Aviation Group, C-105 “Amazonas” is the aircraft most frequently engaged in providing such support, in fulfillment of the missions of the Amazon Support Plan (ASP). In places where SBPs are based, the Aerospace Infrastructure does not always have the desirable conditions for the operation of the C-105 aircraft, in view of the landing and take-off weight, the size of the runway, the type and conservation of the pavement, the weather information and radar coverage available, the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) and the nature of the missions itself. All these conditions represent factors that can affect the accomplishment of the operations, which can compromise the effective support to the SBP. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which the Aerospace Infrastructure in the SBP airfields influences the effective support to the SBP. The research is descriptive and exploratory, using bibliographic, documentary techniques and quantitative and qualitative approach.

Key words: aerospace infrastructure; air transportation; Amazon Region

JEL codes: Z01