NY Air Guard Tech Sgt. Gerardo Balsa, a Pine Bush resident, completes tough Brazilian jungle warfare course
Newburg, New York (12/20/2024) — A Pine Bush man recently graduated from the world's toughest jungle warfare training course.
New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Gerardo Balsa, a member of the 105th Airlift Wing, based at Stratton Air National Guard base in Newburg, successfully completed the Brazilian Army's Jungle Warfare School on Nov. 22.
The school is headquartered in Manaus, the capital of Brazil's Amazonas state in the Amazon River basin.
Known as CIGS - the acronym for the school's name in Portuguese, Centro de Instrucao de Guerra na Selva--- the school was created in 1964. It is considered the most challenging and prestigious military courses in the world, focusing on survival, navigation and combat in the Amazon's dense jungle environment.
Balsa is assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing's Base Defense Group.
The security forces Airmen who make up the group are trained in infantry tactics. Their mission is to secure forward operating airbases from enemy attack.
Balsa is a traditional part-time Air National Guard Airman who works in the construction industry in his civilian life.
The New York National Guard has a training with Brazil's military and has been sending Soldiers and Airmen to the school since 2019.
The two-month course, designed specifically for foreign military students, combines intense physical challenges, survival training and cultural immersion to sharpen trainees from participating nations' militaries.
Participants learn survival techniques such as handling snakes, purifying water, building fires, constructing shelters, identifying edible resources and enduring isolated overnight stays.
They also train in advanced skills like shooting, jungle navigation, patrolling, explosive operations and waterborne techniques.
Balsa, and Staff Sgt. Grant Cozart, and other 105the Airman who attended the course with him, began training well in advance of the training.
They completed a pre-selection process, including swimming in their full uniforms, learning to float equipment, running in combat boots and carrying heavy loads over extended periods of time."We completed every physical event required to qualify for the course," Balsa said. "Our unit also considered how active we are, our dedication to the mission and our commitment to the people we serve. All of that is taken into consideration when applying to represent our wing".
Balsa said that taking part in the course was an extremely rewarding experience, and he learned a lot from the Brazilian instructors.
"Their unwavering dedication to protecting and defending the Amazon is truly inspiring," Balsa said. "They're incredibly generous in sharing their knowledge with those who show genuine interest and we're deeply grateful for their willingness to teach us."
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