Strategic monitoring and international cooperation highlight this edition The largest simulated air exercise in Latin America, CRUZEX 2024, was held at Natal Air Base (BANT) from November 3rd to 15th and included the participation of 16 countries, among them Observers, who were able to follow all training and operational planning of the participants with air assets. In total, 24 observers from 8 countries participated in the exercise: South Africa, Germany, Canada, Ecuador, France, Italy, Sweden, and Uruguay. The objective for the Observers in this training was to understand the maneuvers carried out so that in the future, the Air Forces of these countries may participate with air assets. Additionally, they may integrate into cyber training activities, as in the case of Ecuador and Canada. The latter sent observers specialized in coordinating flight operations and ground crew management to exchange experiences applicable to their own context. Meanwhile, France and Germany focused on following combat tactics and rapid responses adopted in simulated conflict situations. According to the Coordinator of the Observer Cell, Colonel Gustavo Furlan Aquino, the purpose of their presence is to understand CRUZEX and provide feedback to their respective Air Forces, as they can participate in briefings and debriefings where tactics and the results of daily actions are discussed, gaining insights into mission planning and execution in a simulated conflict environment. “Our goal was really to demonstrate the complexity of the exercise and the professionalism developed here. Normally, a country doesn’t start participating directly with air assets. Usually, they send an Observer in a previous edition, who assesses the operational costs and benefits, and based on this assessment, decides whether to participate in the next edition,” he explains. The observers were also able to follow the entire planning and execution of the Composite Air Operations (COMAO). “The feedback on this part was very positive. The General from South Africa, one of the Observers, was quite impressed with our standardization during the debriefing and shot validation,” reported the Observer Cell Coordinator. Although they do not directly participate in flight operations or simulated combat maneuvers, the Observers are allowed to watch the flights and tactical activities from a safe distance, which gives them a comprehensive view of the stages involved in training. CRUZEX is seen as a unique opportunity for these Observers. Countries like South Africa and Ecuador took advantage of the strategies and methods observed in the exercise to strengthen their own defense capabilities. Sweden, for instance, closely followed air-to-air combat scenarios and evasion tactics, areas where the country wishes to expand its strategic knowledge to enhance its air defense. In this context, the Observers were also briefed on the capabilities of FAB’s KC-390 Millennium and participated in a COMAO with all delegations. Additionally, they visited the flight line, especially the F-39 Gripen, as many had questions about the aircraft. The Director of CRUZEX 2024, Major General Ricardo Guerra Rezende, emphasized that the presence of the observers expands the scope of the training and contributes to developing an integrated network of international defense. “Having these countries here represented an important step in building a safer and more coordinated airspace. Through this collaboration, we can foster a more cooperative and fast defense culture, essential to addressing contemporary threats that demand a joint response,” he emphasized. At the end of the exercise, each observer country will have the opportunity to present their impressions, highlight positive aspects, and suggest improvements. This exchange of knowledge enables all involved to broaden their perspectives and adopt more efficient practices in future training and operations. Português