Natal Air Force Base – ALA10 is a
base of the
Brazilian Air Force
"Wings that protect the country"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Hino dos Aviadores
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 22 May (anniver ...
, located in
Parnamirim, near
Natal, Brazil.
History
Originally called Parnamirim Airport, this facility had an important role during World War II as a strategic base for aircraft flying between South America and West Africa. Particularly between 1943 and 1945, the base was used jointly by the
Brazilian Air Force
"Wings that protect the country"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Hino dos Aviadores
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 22 May (anniver ...
,
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...
and
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
, the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...
, and commercial airlines. The maintenance and security installations were made by the
U.S. Army in the South Atlantic (USAFSA).
It shared some facilities with
Augusto Severo International Airport
Augusto Severo International Airport ( pt, Aeroporto Internacional Augusto Severo) , formerly called Parnamirim Airport, was the airport that served Natal, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of Parnamirim.
On May 31, 2014, all domes ...
until 31 May 2014.
Units
The following units are based at Natal Air Force Base:
* 1st Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group (1º/5ºGAv) ''Rumba'', using the
C-95BM & CM Bandeirante.
* 2nd Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group (2º/5ºGAv) ''Joker'', using the
A-29A Super Tucano.
* 1st Squadron of the 8th Aviation Group (1º/8ºGAv) ''Falcão'', using the
H-36 Caracal.
* 1st Squadron of the 11th Aviation Group (1º/11ºGav) ''Gavião'', using the
H-50 Esquilo.
* 2nd Squadron of Air Transportation (2°ETA) ''Pastor'', using the
C-95B & BM Bandeirante,
C-97 Brasília, and
C-98A Caravan.
* 3rd Squadron of the 1st Communications and Control Group (3º/1ºGCC) ''Morcego'', using radars and equipment for air defense.
Accidents and incidents
*25 March 1961:
Brazilian Air Force
"Wings that protect the country"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Hino dos Aviadores
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 22 May (anniver ...
, a
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, and SAAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remain ...
registration FAB-2055 flying from
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of the same name, Brazil's List of Brazilian states by population, third-most populous state, and the List of largest citi ...
to Natal crashed upon final approach. Of the 28 passengers and crew, 5 survived.
*23 April 1977:
Brazilian Air Force
"Wings that protect the country"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Hino dos Aviadores
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 22 May (anniver ...
, an
Embraer C-95 Bandeirante registration FAB-2169 crashed upon landing at Natal.
*3 July 1977:
Brazilian Air Force
"Wings that protect the country"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Hino dos Aviadores
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 22 May (anniver ...
, an
Embraer C-95 Bandeirante registration FAB-2157 crashed after take-off from Natal. All 18 occupants died.
Access
The base is located 18 km from downtown Natal.
Gallery
This gallery displays aircraft that are or have been based at Natal. The gallery is not comprehensive.
Present aircraft
File:Embraer EMB 110 (Forca Aerea Brasileira) (9028199498).jpg, Embraer C-95B Bandeirante (FAB)
File:Aeronave A-29 Super Tucano em voo sobre a Floresta Amazônica.jpg, Embraer A-29A Super Tucano (FAB)
File:Operação Atlântico 2018 (31993852168).jpg, Eurocopter H-36 Caracal (FAB)
File:Academia da Força Aérea (AFA) em Pirassununga. Helicóptero Esquilo. - panoramio.jpg, Helibrás H-50 Esquilo (FAB)
File:Embraer EMB 120 (Forca Aerea Brasileira) 2014@CGH 18AUG14 (15422477730).jpg, Embraer C-97 Brasília (FAB)
File:Cessna 208 Caravan (Forca Aerea Brasileira) Rafael Luiz (28981352976).jpg, Cessna C-98A Caravan (FAB)
Retired aircraft
File:B-25J Mitchell - s-n 44-30069 - at Museu Aerospacial in Campos dos Afonsos Air Force Base - Rio de Janeiro.jpg, North American B-25J Mitchell
File:B-26 Invader - Campo Dos Afonsos - 061012.jpg, Douglas B-26B Invader
File:Embraer T-27 Tucano (EMB-312), Brazil - Air Force AN0965742.jpg, Embraer T-27 Tucano (FAB)
File:360fg-p47-brazilaf.jpg, Republic F-47 Thunderbolt
File:MS.760 Paris (8141395391).jpg, Morane-Saulnier MS-760 Paris
File:Aeronave T6 da Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB.tif, North American T-6G Texan
File:Brazilian Air Force Embraer AT-26 Xavante (EMB-326GC) RSC.jpg, Embraer AT-26 Xavante (FAB)
File:Iroquois (4892089037).jpg, Bell H-1H Iroquois
See also
*
List of Brazilian military bases Brasilia
The following is a list of military bases in Brazil, sorted by location:
Air Force Air Force Bases
Testing and Training Range
Navy Naval Bases and Stations
Naval Air Base
{{Military of Brazil
*
*
Brazil
military
A mi ...
*
Augusto Severo International Airport
Augusto Severo International Airport ( pt, Aeroporto Internacional Augusto Severo) , formerly called Parnamirim Airport, was the airport that served Natal, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of Parnamirim.
On May 31, 2014, all domes ...
References
External links
*
*
*
{{Authority control
Rio Grande do Norte
Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force bases
Buildings and structures in Rio Grande do Norte
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command on the South Atlantic Route