“Certainly, our most important mission is aerial imaging using FLIR ,” says Perlingeiro. Perlingeiro’s team has employed its helicopters to patrol the main thoroughfares of the city, and to quickly ferry troops to hard-to-reach locations. From the lighting of the torch to the closing ceremony, not one of these aircraft had to be taken offline during operations and missions.Īt the time of this writing (about halfway through the 2016 Games), in addition to imaging around Maracana Stadium during the Opening Ceremony, Col. With as many moving parts as there are at an event of this magnitude – ensuring the safety of millions of spectators, residents, athletes and employees over 16 days and several disparate cities – comprehensive, agile coverage is paramount.ĭuring the London Olympic Games in 2012, more than 30 Airbus helicopters from the the H135, H145, H125, AS365 and Puma families served as the backbone of the security force, covering the police, EMS, military, private and television activities. “It only becomes more difficult during the Olympics, when the world’s attention is turned on the city.” Olympic hosts like Rio – and London before it – are entrusting the successful rollout of their international sporting events to Airbus Helicopters, deploying its civil and military aircraft in the service of security.

“Rio de Janeiro’s topography and urban growth-features make the theater a challenge in any condition,” Perlingeiro says. He’s part of the Army Aviation’s aerial operations mission that’s using 90 Airbus helicopters to perform surveillance, counter-terrorism, defense, public security, emergency medical services (EMS) and electronic newsgathering missions across Brazil to help the Games run smoothly behind the scenes.

Though it seems like all eyes are on the athletes at the center of 2016’s Rio Olympics and upcoming Paralympics, Colonel Luiz Sergio Cosendey Perlingeiro, commander of the air support service unit of Rio de Janeiro’s Military Police, takes a larger view – quite literally.

The Summer Olympics and Paralympics capture hearts and minds as world champions go for the gold – and they’re not the only ones who must deliver peak performances: Rio police chief Colonel Perlingeiro and Airbus Helicopters are hard at work around the clock to ensure a safe Games for all involved.Ĭolonel Perlingeiro of Rio de Janeiro’s Military Police

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