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To meet the operational needs of the Brazilian Aerospace Defense Command (COMDABRA), 12 squadrons of fighter aircraft, transport and surviellance were deployed from various regions of the country to operate from the Santa Cruz Air Force Base (BASC), in western Rio de Janeiro (RJ). It is the largest military aviation complex in the southern hemisphere and home of the world's only surviving Zeppelin hangar!
Northrop F-5EM Tigers from 4 different squadrons and Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos were stationed at the air base throughout the games. The F-5EMs flew combat air patrol (CAP) missions armed with 20 mm cannons and Rafael Python IV air-to-air missiles. The pilots were equipped with 4th generation helmet-mounted avionics to greatly improve their situational awareness.
Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos complemented the F-5s by taking responsibility for for intercepting low performance aircraft. They were configured with two underwing fuel tanks to extend range and armed with two heavy machine guns. The Tucanos' intercept procedure was to first try to communicate with the target aircraft and guide them away from the restricted area. The air force placed large panels in the rear canopy showing the emergency communication frequency to be tuned by the intercepted target. If the there was no response from the intercepted aircraft, the Super Tucanos would then fire tracer bullets parallel to the aircraft. If all other efforts to successfully divert the bogey failed, it would be classified as hostile (a "bandit") and the Super Tucano pilot will be authorized to destroy the target. Embraer E-99 Airborne Early Warning aircraft were tasked with providing airborne radar coverage and to direct high and low interceptions. These aircraft were from the Guardian Squadron (2nd/6th GAV) equipped with Swedish Erieye radar. Clearly, the Olympics were in the capable hands of Brazil's guardians from above.
An AMX A-1A taking off.