Brazilian Air Force visits AFRL Information Directorate

The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate hosted a delegation of officer and enlisted leaders from the Brazilian Air Force’s Aerospace Operations Command June 7 at several facilities in Rome, New York.

Gen. Heraldo Luiz Rodrigues, the commander of the command, known by its Portuguese acronym of COMAE, and his team visited AFRL to better understand controlled space programs and counter unmanned systems.

The visit was conducted through the National Guard State Partnership Program, which teams the state National Guard with foreign militaries. New York initiated a state partnership with Brazil in 2019.

The Brazilians, accompanied by Col. William McCrink III, 174th Attack Wing commander, received a briefing on space operations, research, development, acquisition, launch and operation of overhead reconnaissance systems necessary to provide support and ongoing space operations with controlled space awareness. Rodrigues and his team also received a comprehensive briefing on AFRL programs, partnerships and opportunities for collaboration. The Brazilian team also visited with the 222nd Command and Control Squadron and the Eastern Air Defense Sector, both based in Rome, New York.

“We’re interested in improving relations between the Air Force and us,” Rodrigues said. “These opportunities are significant to us.”

Col. Fred Garcia, director of the AFRL Information Directorate and commander of Detachment 4, said hosting the Brazilians is important for solidarity with international partners as we advance research for the warfighter and space programs. He also explained these visits promote United States military to military relationships.

Members of the Brazilian Air Force test space domain awareness technology June 7, 2022 at the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, New York (U.S. Air Force photo / Marc Denofio)