Natal Air Force Base
Natal Air Force Base – ALA10 is a base of the Brazilian Air Force, 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, United States Army and United States Navy, the Royal Air Force, and commercial airlines. The maintenance and security installations were made by the U.S. Army in the South Atlantic.It shared some facilities with Augusto Severo International Airport until 31 May 2014.
Units
The following units are based at Natal Air Force Base:- 1st Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group Rumba, using the C-95BM & CM Bandeirante.
- 2nd Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group Joker, using the A-29A Super Tucano.
- 1st Squadron of the 8th Aviation Group Falcão, using the H-36 Caracal.
- 1st Squadron of the 11th Aviation Group Gavião, using the H-50 Esquilo.
- 2nd Squadron of Air Transportation Pastor, using the C-95B & BM Bandeirante, C-97 Brasília, and C-98A Caravan.
- 3rd Squadron of the 1st Communications and Control Group Morcego, using radars and equipment for air defense.
Accidents and incidents
- 25 March 1961: Brazilian Air Force, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain registration FAB-2055 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Natal crashed upon final approach. Of the 28 passengers and crew, 5 survived.
- 23 April 1977: Brazilian Air Force, an Embraer C-95 Bandeirante registration FAB-2169 crashed upon landing at Natal.
- 3 July 1977: Brazilian Air Force, an Embraer C-95 Bandeirante registration FAB-2157 crashed after take-off from Natal. All 18 occupants died.