Base Aérea de Campo Grande – Força Aérea Brasileira

Author: Ian French
Photography: Ian French & Força Aérea Brasileira

Base Aérea de Campo Grande (BACG) was officially established in 1941 but can trace its origins back to an Aviation Detachment in 1934. The facilities are shared with the civilian Campo Grande International Airport.

Campo Grande hosts the 3rd Aviation Battalion of the Brazilian Army (3° BAvEx) “Pantera” which operates the HA-1 Fennec, HM-1 Pantera, and HM-3 Cougar.

The following Força Aérea Brasileira squadrons are based at Campo Grande and constitute Ala 5 (which reports to the Western Air Command (VIII COMAR)):
– 3 Esquadrão /3 Grupo de Aviação
– 2 Esquadrão /10 Grupo de Aviação
– 1 Esquadrão /15 Grupo de Aviação

3° Esquadrão 3° Grupo de Aviação (3/3° GAv)
“Flecha”

5939 A-29B 3-3GAv Tapio 2021 Campo Grande

3/3 GAv was formed in 2004 at Base Aérea de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul with Embraer EMB-312 Tucano (T-27) from the disbanded 2° Esquadrilha de Ligação e Observação (2ª ELO) at Base Aérea de Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro. The T-27 was withdrawn in 2006 and replaced by the more capable Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano (A-29).

2° Esquadrão 10° Grupo de Aviação (2/10° GAv)
“Pelicano”

2/10 GAv was formed in 1957 at Base Aérea de São Paulo with the Grumman HU-16A Albatross. From 1958 the squadron operated four Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw (SH-19) and from 1960 six Bell 47H (H-13H) which were used until 1967, when both types were transferred to the Centro de Instrução e Emprego de Helicópteros (CIEH).

The unit moved to Base Aérea de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina in 1972 and to Base Aérea de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul in 1980.

Aircraft operated: HU-16A (S-16) 1957-1980, S-55 (SH-19) 1958-1969, B47H (H-13) 1960-1967, UH-1D 1967-, EMB111A (P-95A) 1980-1981, EMB110P1K (SC-95B) 1981-2010, UH-1H 1993-2018, Casa 295 (SC-105) from 2009 & UH-60L from 2022

1° Esquadrão 15° Grupo de Aviação (1/15° GAv)
“Onça”

1/15 GAv was activated in 1970 at Base Aérea de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul although had been commissioned in 1947!

Aircraft operated: DHC-5A (C-115) 1970-1981, EMB110P1K (C-95B) from 1981 & Casa 295M (C-105) from 2008

Aviation Press would like to thank the Força Aérea Brasileira for their hospitality and assistance with the article.

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