Geral
Rio 2016
Over 20 countries followed anti-terrorism drill for the Games
This Tuesday (10.05), military attachés from over 20 countries watched the first interagency anti-terrorism drill in Goiânia. The activity, conducted by Brazil's Ministry of Defence is part of security preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Countries like the United States, Germany, Argentina, Japan, Mexico, Russia, United Kingdom, Poland, Indonesia and Chile followed the finely tuned military personnel up close. The agents belong to the Armed Forces special operations troops, as well as several Brazilian public security bodies, who will work at the Olympics.
The activity is conducted every week at the Army's Special Operations Command (COpEsp) in Goiânia, where since October 2015, the Joint Command for the Prevention and Combat against Terrorism (CCPCT) has been operating.
CCPCT commander, general Mauro Sinott, explained that in addition to increasing integration among those involved, the drill is essential to show the world that Brazil is ready to host a gigantic event like the Olympics.
"The attachés were able to clearly see that our planning and architecture, set to face these possible threats are perfectly viable in military terms", he stated. "In this activity, we managed to translate into practical terms, how we're going to develop the anti-terror activity in an integrated manner. And we were able to show that the security agenda is a state activity, which is fully capable of supplying appropriate security, not just to our population, but to all delegations who will be here", he added.
Approval
For Toru Yamachi, Japan's military attaché, next country to host the Games, the integrated security model – already consolidated in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup – will be adopted by his nation. "In this training, the Brazilian military and police offered us a great knowledge opportunity. We have a similar integrated system, but it's good to be able to see in practice how Brazil is preparing itself", he said. "I believe that the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games will be a great success", he added.
The US military attaché Jose Espinosa, talked about how important it is for every country in the world to have their eye on this type of threat. He also pointed out that the experience exchange with Brazil has been going on since World War II. "It's very good to see that the anti-terrorism training is also conducted with excellence", he praised.
Risk area
Throughout this Tuesday, activities in shooting ranges were conducted, where military operational capabilities are tested in order to progress over the terrain, facing the most adverse situations. "We simulated a situation that could happen during a rescue operation, where someone from the team or even the hostage may be hurt and the professional needs to leave the risk area carrying the individual, without losing any efficiency", explained captain José Luís Goçalves, of São Paulo's Military Police.
Police chief Denis Cali, head of the federal police's anti-terrorism division, pointed out the importance of interagency work. "Cooperation and working jointly with other institutions is essential for fighting terrorism, in tactical and target identification terms, as well as how the team will go in and neutralise the criminal", he explained.
Also this Tuesday, a workshop on weapon's aim adjustment was held, attended by over 280 people. The goal is to ensure the weapon's precision, as in many of the 17 training workshops they will be firing real bullets.
