Southern Vanguard 24 marks joint exercise for US and Brazilian field artillery.

According to the US Army on November 14, 2023, the US Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the New York Army National Guard, participated in joint training with field artillery soldiers of the Brazilian Army for the first time during Exercise Southern Vanguard 24 in Brazil.
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US and Brazilian Armies conduct field artillery training with a 105mm Howitzer in Ferreira Gomes, Brazil, on Nov. 12, 2023. (Picture source: US DoD)

This exercise, aligned with ongoing efforts toward partnership, aimed to enhance Army interoperability and shared capabilities between the United States and Brazil. The decision for the US Army and Brazilian Army field artillery teams to train together followed extended planning and coordination. Brazilian Army Capt. Rodrigo Ayres Chaves, a fire support officer with the 52nd Taskforce, played a role in proposing and coordinating this joint training after observing the 258th Field Artillery's training during the Northern Strike operation in August.

Coordination efforts between Chaves and US Army National Guard Capt. Anthony Migliore, the assistant battalion fire support officer assigned to HHB, 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, were instrumental in facilitating interoperable training during Southern Vanguard 24. The collaboration aimed to enhance military capabilities and strengthen security partnerships between the two American nations.

Migliore explained the purpose of the collaboration, emphasizing its role in aiding integration with the Brazilian Army, understanding tactics, techniques, and procedures, and fostering a relationship.

Overcoming language barriers, Migliore observed that the planning and execution of fire support revealed more similarities than differences between the US and Brazilian armies. Despite linguistic challenges, the collaboration was successful, highlighting commonalities in the approach to artillery.

The first phase of the exercise focused on the assault and objective phase near Ferreira Gomes, Brazil. Field artillery teams played a pivotal role by providing section fires and firing smoke targets around two objectives – one for the Brazilian forces and the other for the US forces.

Migliore noted the familiarity of the artillery MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) between the US and Brazil, emphasizing similarities in the preparation and aiming of the gun and the overall culture of artillery.

The second phase unfolded along the Amazon River in Oiapoque, where the field artillery teams provided fire support during the objective-taking operation.

The relationships forged during multinational exercises, such as Southern Vanguard, contribute to preserving peace and stability in the region. Master Sgt. Scott Banks, the battalion fire support noncommissioned officer with HHB, 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, discussed the collaborative nature of working with the Brazilian Army, acknowledging their interest in understanding the US approach and recognizing similarities in procedures. According to Banks, the collaboration involved explaining and teaching methods, broadening their horizon, and fostering professional relationships.