Sao Paulo rules the waves.

In recent years the Brazilian navy's aviation program has undergone a significant evolution in both ship and aircraft capability. Since 1965 the navy's air assets had been limited to helicopters because the president decided that fixed-wing aircraft were the exclusive territory of the air force. However, in April 1998 the navy received governmental permission to buy fixed-wing aircraft, and three weeks later 23 (T)A-4KU Skyhawks were bought in Kuwait for $70 million, including spare parts and Sidewinder missiles. These were among the last Skyhawks built by McDonnell Douglas in 1978. In Brazilian service the designation changed to AF-1 (single seat) and AF-1A (two seat), and the jets were assigned to the Primeiro Esquadrao de Avioes de Interceptacao e Ataque (First Intercept and Attack Squadron), or VF-1, at naval air base Sao Pedro da Aldeia near Rio de Janeiro. The new acquisition of jets brought with it the need for a newer, larger aircraft carrier.

The country was offered a U.S. Navy Forrestal-class carrier, but turned it down because it was considered too expensive to operate and too big for the maximum of 25 aircraft it would carry. Later, France decommissioned the carrier Foch (R 99) and offered her for sale in 1999 when the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle came into service. Brazil bought the French ship in September 2000. Joining the Brazilian navy as Sao Paulo (A 12), the "new" carrier arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 17 February. 2001 and moored at her new berth at the "Island of the Cobras." She replaced the vintage light aircraft carder Minas Gerais (A 11), which was launched in England in WW II and retired in October 2001 after 41 years of active service in the Brazilian navy.

The first A-4 pilots were recruited from the helicopter squadrons and sent to Uruguay and Argentina for basic training in T-34 trainers. (Future A-4 pilots will start their training with the Brazilian air force.) They then traveled to NAS Meridian, Miss., for carrier training with Training Squadron 7 in the T-45 Goshawk. Brazil's first Skyhawk pilot became the last pilot to earn his wings on the TA-4J at NAS Meridian, landing the first A-4 on Sao Paulo in July 2001. During a two-week training cruise in September 2002, the fifth since the ship entered service, the total of qualified jet pilots reached eight.

One and a half years after her first cruise in Brazilian waters, operations on board the new ship are still evolving. When the A-4s entered service, the Marinha do Brasil had no experience with jet operations on a carrier. To help bring the pilots, maintenance crew and deck-handling personnel up to speed, Kay & Associates Inc, based in Arlington Heights, Ill., was hired in a consulting role. Commander Curt Francis, USN (Ret.), is one of the last remaining advisors on board the carrier and serves as landing signal officer. Under his tutelage the former helicopter pilots have shown great progress in learning to operate fixed-wing aircraft on board the smallest carrier for conventional aircraft in the world, with the narrowest and shortest runway.

At least once a year Sao Paulo hosts a detachment of Argentinean navy Super Etendards and S-2T Turbo Trackers for joint exercises and training. The first combined navy exercise was held in 1993. Sao Paulo's captain, Capitao-de-Mar-e-Guerra Antonio Fernando Monteiro Dias, is enthusiastic about this cooperation. "There is a strong bond between our two countries since the late 1980s, and that goes for our navies. The Trackers are important to us, as they are good weapons and form a worthy addition," he said. The detachment of Argentine S-2Ts provided benefits for both parties. The Trackers flew many missions in order to keep the Argentinean pilots carrier qualified, and working with another aircraft type allowed the Brazilian deck crew to increase their skills.

Although the Brazilian economic situation is in flux, there are plans to purchase a fleet of modified S-2T Turbo Trackers for airborne early warning, aerial refueling and cartier onboard delivery. Another plan is to buy some TA-4J Skyhawks from U.S. Navy stocks for pilot training, since the heavier two-seat AF-1As are not suitable for carrier operations.

"Brazil is a peace-loving country," Capt. Monteiro Dias said. "Our mission is to defend Brazil, its fishing and merchant fleets and its national waters." With her new complement of jet aircraft combined with Brazil's existing helicopter assets, Sao Paulo is certain to rule the waves south of the equator.

The authors wish to thank Captain Paulo Cezar de Quadros Kuster, Captain Antonio Carlos Fonteles Juacaba, Lieutenant Felipe Vargas Peres, CT(FN) Julio Cezar Da Silva Nascimento, CMG Antonio Fernando Monteiro Dias and the crew of NAe Sao Paulo for their outstanding support and hospitality.