Author: Ian French
Photography: Força Aérea Brasileira & Ian French
The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) is the aerospace branch of the Brazilian armed forces and is managed by the Aeronautics Command (Comando da Aeronáutica – COMAer). COMAer was created in 1999.
COMAer comprises six major components, four General Commands (Comandos-Gerais) and two Departments (Departamentos). The General Command of Air Operations (Comando-Geral de Operações Aéreas – COMGAR), with headquarters in Brasília, supervises most of the flying operations. As the main flying element, COMGAR, until 2016 and post World War II, administered several sub-formations in the form of four Air Forces (Forças Aéreas) and seven Regional Air Commands (Comandos Aéreos Regionais – COMAR). Beginning in 2016, the Air Force’s flying operations were merged into the Comando de Preparo (Air Force Readiness Command)(COMPREP), which was organised into 13 wings operating manned aircraft. This article deals with those wings and the aircraft operated in the last 50 years and a separate article will deal with units outside of the wing structure.
1 Ala at Brasilia

1 Ala has only one unit – 6 Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo (6 ETA), which was formed in 1969 at Base Aérea de Brasilia as part of VI Zona Aérea and from 1973 as part of VI Comando Aéreo Regional (VI COMAR).

Aircraft operated: UC-45T 1969-1973, C-47 1969-1973, U-42 1969-1973, B80 (C-8) 1969-1973, EMB110 (C-95) 1973-, EMB810 (U-7) 1978-1993, EMB121 (VU-9) 1978-2010, EMB120 (C-97) from 1988, C208A (C-98) from 2009, C-95M from 2012 & U-100 from 2019

2 Ala at Anápolis

2 Ala is a large wing and consists of five squadrons.

1 Grupo de Defensa Aérea (1 GDA)

1 Esquadrão “Jaguares” (1/1 GDA)

The unit was formed as 1° Ala de Defensa Aérea in 1972 as part of Comando de Defensa Aérea (COMDA) and Sistema de Defensa Aérea e Controle de Tráfego Aéreo (SISDACTA) and received its present name in 1979, while SISDACTA became Centro Integrado de Defensa e Controle de Tráfego Aéreo (CINDACTA-1). The group also operated two Neiva L-42 Regente and one C-95 Bandeirante for liaison, three Embraer T-27 Tucano for training and one Bell UH-1H Iroquois for SAR missions.

Aircraft operated: EMB326GB (AT-26) 1972-2007, Mirage IIIDBR/EBR (F-103D/E) 1973-2005, L-42, EMB-110 (C-95), T-27 1988-, UH-1H, HB350B (UH-50) 1987-, Mirage 2000 (F-2000) 2006-2013 & JAS39E (F-39) from 2022

6 Grupo de Aviação

The 6° Grupo de Aviação was formed in 1957, 1° Esquadrão operating in the SAR role and 2° Esquadrão operating in the meteorological and photographic reconnaissance role.

1 Esquadrão “Carcara” (1/6 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1953 at Base Aérea de Recife, Pernambuco with six Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, when the Centro de Treinamento de Quadrimotores (CTQ), which was formed in 1951 at Base Aérea do Galeão, Rio de Janeiro, was disbanded. The centre moved to Recife in June 1951 and disbanded in 1953. In 1954 the unit reformed and received another seven Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, using them in the SAR and photo-reconnaissance role. Disbanded in 2022.

Aircraft operated: SC-130E 1968-1988, EMB110B (R-95) 1977-2022 & Learjet 35A (R-35A) 1987-2022

2 Esquadrão (2/6 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1947 but activated only in 1956 at Base Aérea de Recife, Pernambuco with Boeing RB-17G Flying Fortress in the photographic reconnaissance role. After these were withdrawn from use in 1968, the two squadrons were merged in 1969 and this unit disbanded. The squadron was reactivated in 1999 to house the Sistema de Vigilância da Amazônia (SIVAM) from Base Aérea de Brasilia with Embraer EMB-145SA (E-99) and Embraer EMB-145RS (R-99). The unit moved to Base Aérea de Anápolis in 2000.

Aircraft operated: EMB145SA (E-99) from 2002 & EMB145RS (R-99) from 2002

1 Grupo de Transporte de Tropos (1 GTT) at Campo dos Afonsos (Ex 2 GT 1958)

1 Esquadrão “Coral” (1/1 GTT)

The unit was formed in 1958 at Base Aérea dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro with Fairchild C-82A Packet. These aircraft were replaced in 1968 with the de Havilland DHC-5A Buffalo and in 2002 with the Lockheed C-130H Hercules with the Buffalo being transferred to 1°/9°GAv.

Aircraft operated: C-82A 1958-1968, DHC-5A (C-115) 1969-2006, C-130H 2002-2019 & KC-390 from 2019

2 Esquadrão “Cascavel” (2/1 GTT)

The unit was formed in 1961 at Base Aérea dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro with Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar. These aircraft were replaced in 1974 with the Lockheed C-130E Hercules. The unit received two Lockheed KC-130H in 1975. From 1986 these aircraft are operated by 1° Esquadrão “Gordo” / 1° Grupo de Transporte. 10 ex Italian C-130H were acquired in 2001. In 2003 a major upgrade programme commenced and 12 aircraft were updated to KC/C-130M. The squadron was disbanded in 2018 and its assets absorbed into 1/1GTT. The squadron will be reactivated as a KC-390 unit once deliveries to 1/1GTT are complete.

Aircraft operated: C-119G 1961-1974, C-130E 1974-1986, KC-130H 1975-1986, C-130H from 1986-2018

3 Ala at Canoas

5 Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo (5 ETA)

The unit was formed in 1969 at Base Aérea de Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, as part of V Zona Aérea and from 1973 as part of V Comando Aéreo Regional (V COMAR).

Aircraft Operated: TC-45T 1969-1975, C-47 1969-1977, EMB110 (C-95) 1975-, EMB120 (C-97) from 2008, C208A (C-98) from 2010 & C-95M from 2012

7 Grupo de Aviação – 2 Esquadrão “Phoenix” (2/7 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1982 at Base Aérea de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. It moved to Canoas in 2014.

Aircraft operated: EMB111A (P-95A/B/BM) from 1982

14 Grupo de Aviação de Caza – 1 Esquadrão “Pampa” (1/14 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1947 at Base Aérea de Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, when the 3° Grupo de Caça (3º GpCa) with Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was disbanded. In 1954 the unit was reequipped with six Gloster Meteor F8 and two TF-7, which were withdrawn from use in 1966 and replaced by Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (TF-33A). From 1974 all Lockheed T-33 of the FAB were operated by this unit, but only until 1975, when the unit reequipped with the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II. A major upgrade programme for the F-5 started in 2005 and was completed in 2020. 37 F-5E and 2 F-5F were updated.

Aircraft operated: Meteor F8/T7 (F-8/TF-7) 1954-1966, T-33A 1966-1975, F-5 from 1975 & T-27 from 1985

4 Ala at Santa Maria

8 Grupo de Aviação – 5 Esquadrão “Pantera” (5/8 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1980 at Base Aérea de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, when 5° Esquadrão Misto de Reconhecimento e Ataque (5º EMRA) with Bell UH-1D Iroquois, Neiva L-42 Regente and Embraer EMB-326GB Xavante (AT-26) was disbanded.

Helicopters operated: UH-1D 1980-, UH-1H 1997-2011, B206 (OH-4) 1980- & UH-60L from 2011

10 Grupo de Aviação de Caza

The unit was formed in 1947 at Base Aérea de São Paulo, São Paulo.

1 Esquadrão “Poker” (1/10 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1947 at Base Aérea de São Paulo, São Paulo with Douglas A-20K from the disbanded 1° and 2° Grupos de Bombardeio Leve. In 1978 the unit moved to Base Aérea de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. A mid life update programme for the AMX commenced in 2007. This was planned to include the whole fleet but funding issues resulted in only 9 A-1A and 2 A-1B being updated. The first updated aircraft were delivered in 2013.

Aircraft operated: EMB326GB (RT-26) 1976-1999 & AMX (A-1) from 1999

3 Esquadrão “Centauro” (3/10 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1978 at Base Aérea de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul with Embraer EMB-326GB Xavante (AT-26).

Aircraft operated: EMB326GB (AT-26) 1978-1998 & AMX (A-1) from 1998

5 Ala at Campo Grande

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

The unit 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.

Aircraft operated: T-27 2004-2006 & A-29A/B from 2006

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

The unit was formed in 1957 at Base Aérea de São Paulo, São Paulo with 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

15 Grupo de Aviação – 1 Esquadrão “Onca” (1/15 GAv)

1° Esquadrão was activated in 1970 at Base Aérea de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul.

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

6 Ala at Porto Velho

3 Grupo de Aviação – 2 Esquadrão “Grifo” (2/3 GAv)

The unit was formed as 2° Esquadrilha do 7º ETA in 1984 at Base Aérea de Porto Velho, Rondônia with Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (C-95B). In 1995 the unit received its present name and became a fighter/attack unit with Embraer EMB-312 Tucano (T-27).

Aircraft operated: EMB110P1K (C-95B) 1984-1995, T-27 1995-2005 & A-29A/B from 2005

8 Grupo de Aviação – 2 Esquadrão “Poti” (2/8 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1980 at Base Aérea do Recife, Pernambuco when 2° Esquadrão Misto de Reconhecimento e Ataque (2º EMRA) with Bell UH-1D Iroquois, Neiva L-42 Regente and Embraer U-7 Seneca was disbanded. The squadron moved to Base Aérea de Porto Velho in 2009 and was reequipped with Mil Mi-35M Hind from 2010. The Mi 35M was withdrawn in 2022.

Aircraft operated: T-25 1980-, UH-1H 1980-2010, HB350 (UH-50) 1987-2010 & Mi 35 (AH-2) 2010-2022

7 Ala at Boa Vista

3 Grupo de Aviação at – 1 Esquadrão “Escorpiao” (1/3 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1984 as 1° Esquadrilha do 7º ETA at Base Aérea de Boa Vista, Roraima with Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (C-95B). In 1995 the unit received its present name and became a fighter/attack unit with Embraer EMB-312 Tucano (T-27).

Aircraft operated: EMB110P1K (C-95B) 1984-1988, C208 (C-98A) 1988-1995, T-27 1995- & A-29A/B from 2004

8 Ala at Manaus

7 Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo “Cobra” (7 ETA)

The unit was formed in 1983 at Base Aérea de Manaus, Amazonas, part of VII Comando Aéreo Regional (VII COMAR). In 1984 1° Esquadrilha, which later became 1º/3º GAv, moved to Base Aérea de Boa Vista, while 2° Esquadrilha, which later became 2º/3º GAv, moved to Base Aérea de Porto Velho. 1° Esquadrilha received new aircraft in 1988, the Cessna 208 Caravan (C-98). These two units had the transport role until they were reequipped with Embraer EMB-312 Tucano (AT-27) now in the light attack role. In 1995 these two Esquadrilhas were disbanded and became 1º/3º GAv and 2º/3º GAv.

Aircraft operated: EMB110 (C-95) 1983-2007, C208 (C-98A) from 1988, EMB120 (C-97) from 2007 & C208A (C-98B) from 2009

4 Grupo de Aviação de Caza – 1 Esquadrão “Pacau” (1/4 GAv)

The unit was formed as 4° Grupo de Bombardeio Médio at Base Aérea de Fortaleza, Ceará in 1944 with Lockheed A-28A Hudson, North American T-6D Texan and North American B-25J Mitchell in the light bomber role. The unit received its present name in 1947 and became a fighter training unit with Republic F-47D Republic from 2°/5°GAv. In 2002 the squadron moved to Base Aérea de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. From 2006 the unit also operated Atlas Impala Mk.1/2 (AT-26A), which were acquired from the South African Air Force. This unit was the last unit to operate the AT-26/A. The unit moved to Base Aérea de Manaus, Amazonas in 2010 and disbanded in 2021.

Aircraft operated: T-6D 1947-1956, T-33A 1956-1973, F-80C 1958-1973, EMB326GB (AT-26) 1973-2010 & F-5EM 2010-2021

8 Grupo de Aviação – 7 Esquadrão “Harpia” (7/8 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1980 at Belém/Pará as 1° Esquadrão “Falcão” / 8° Grupo de Aviação (1°/8° GAv), when 1° Esquadrão Misto de Reconhecimento e Ataque (1º EMRA) was disbanded. The squadron moved to Base Aérea de Manaus in 1980 and stayed there until it became 7°/8° GAv in 1987. In 1987 the 1° Esquadrilha of 7°/8° GAv with Aérospatiale AS.355F2 Fennec (CH-55) was formed at Base Aérea de Belém and 1° Esquadrão “Falcão” / 8° Grupo de Aviação (1°/8° GAv) was reformed in 1992. After the reestablishment of 1°/8° GAv in 1992 the unit’s name was “Falcão Pioneiro”, as the name “Falcão” was used by 7°/8° GAv. In 1998 however, the latter unit became known as “Harpia” and 1°/8° GAv received its original name back.

Helicopters operated: UH-1D 1980-, AS355 (CH-55) 1987-1992, AS332M (H-34) 1987-1991, UH-1H 1997-2006 & UH-60L from 2006

9 Grupo de Aviação – 1 Esquadrão “Arara” (1/9 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1970 at Base Aérea de Belém with de Havilland DHC-5A Buffalo but moved to Base Aérea de Manaus later that same year.

Aircraft operated: DHC-5A (C-115) 1970-2008 & Casa 295M (C-105) from 2008

9 Ala at Belém

1 Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo “Tracajá” (1 ETA)

The unit was formed in 1969 at Base Aérea de Belém, Pará, as part of I Zona Aérea and from 1973 of I Comando Aéreo Regional (I COMAR). The EMB-110 Bandeirante has undergone many upgrades and in the absence of a replacement a major modernisaton programme began in 2008, and ended in 2015, to extend the service life by another 30 years. 50 aircraft were modernised and these have an M at the end of their type designation.

Aircraft operated: CA-10 1969-1982, C-47 1969-1983, EMB110 (C-95) 1983-, EMB110K1 (C-95A) -1984, EMB110P1K (C-95B) 1984-, C208 (C-98A) from 1998, EMB120 (C-97) from 2007 & C208B (C-98A) from 2009

7 Grupo de Aviação – 3 Esquadrão “Netuno” (3/7 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1990 at Base Aérea de Belém, Pará.

Aircraft operated: EMB111A (P-95A/B/BM) from 1990

10 Ala at Natal

5 Grupo de Aviação – 1 Esquadrão “Rumba” (1/5 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1947 at Base Aérea de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte with North American B-25J Mitchell in the bomber training role and from 1958 these aircraft were replaced by Douglas B-26B/C Invader. The squadron moved to Base Aérea de Recife, Pernambuco in 1971 and was disbanded in 1973. The unit was reactivated in 1981 as part of Centro de Aplicações Táticas e Recompletamento de Equipagens (CATRE), with Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (C-95) in the multi-engine advanced training role. From 1987 the unit was reequipped with Embraer EMB-312 Tucano (T-27). The unit was again disbanded in 1994.

In 2001 the squadron was again reactivated as a transport squadron with Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (C-95) at Base Aérea de Fortaleza, Ceará. Until 2005 the unit was part of V Força Aérea (V FAe) and then it became a subordinated unit of I Força Aérea (I FAe). The unit moved to Base Aérea de Natal, Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte in 2014.

Aircraft operated: EMB110 (C-95) 1981-2008, EMB110K1 (C-95A) 2008-, C-95M from 2013 & T-27 1987-1994

5 Grupo de Aviação – 2 Esquadrão “Joker” (2/5 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1947 at Base Aérea de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte but only activated in 1953 with Republic F-47 Thunderbolt transferred from 3º/1º Grupo de Aviação de Caça (3º/1º GAvCa), at Base Aérea de Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro in the fighter training role. In 1956 the squadron was reequipped with North American B-25J Mitchell and became a bomber training unit. From 1958 the unit used Douglas B-26B/C Invader. The squadron was disbanded in 1970 and the Centro de Formação de Pilotos Militares (CFPM) at Base Aérea de Natal, with six Beech TC-45T was formed.
In 1975 the Esquadrão Seta of the Centro de Aplicações Táticas e Recompletamento de Equipagens (CATRE) was formed again as a fighter training unit. The 5° Grupo de Aviação was reactivated in 1980 with Embraer EMB-326GB Xavante (AT-26).

Aircraft operated: MS760 (C-41) 1962-1968, T-6G 1964-1970, TC-45T 1964-1970, EMB326GB (AT-26) 1975-2004 & A-29B from 2004

8 Grupo de Aviação – 1 Esquadrão “Falcao” (1/8 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1980 at Belém, Pará, when 1° Esquadrão Misto de Reconhecimento e Ataque (1º EMRA) with Bell UH-1D Iroquois, two Cessna L-19E Bird Dog and North American T-6D/G Texan was disbanded. The squadron moved to Base Aérea de Manaus in 1980 and stayed there until it became 7°/8° GAv in 1987. In 1987 the 1° Esquadrilha of 7°/8° GAv with Aérospatiale AS.355F2 Fennec (CH-55) was formed at Base Aérea de Belém and this unit was reformed in 1992. From 1997 the unit operated Bell UH-1H Iroquois. After its recreation in 1992 the unit adopted the name “Falcão Pioneiro”, as the name “Falcão” was used by 7°/8° GAv. In 1998 however the latter unit became known as “Harpia” and 1°/8° GAv had its original name back.

Helicopters operated: UH-1D 1981-, UH-1H 1987-2014, HB350 (UH-50) 1987-, AS355 (CH-55) 1987-1997 & EC725 (H-36) from 2010

11 Grupo de Aviação – 1 Esquadrão “Gaviao” (1/11 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1967 as Centro de Instrução e Emprego de Helicópteros (CIEH) at Base Aérea de Santos with four Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw (SH-19) and 36 Bell 47G-2 (OH-13H). The Center was renamed Unidade no Centro de Instrução de Helicópteros (CIH) in 1970, became ALA 435 in 1973 and received its present name in 1979 for the helicopter training role. In 1995 the squadron moved from Comando Aéreo de Treinamento to II Força Aérea (II FAe) but was transferred to I Força Aérea (I FAe) in 2005. The squadron moved to Base Aérea de Natal in 2006.

Aircraft operated: S-55 (SH-19) 1967-1969, B47G-2 (H-13) 1967-1987, UH-1H, HB350B (VH-12) from 1986 & T-25

11 Ala at Galeão

3 Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo (3 ETA)

The unit was formed in 1969 at Base Aérea do Galeão, Rio de Jeneiro as part of III Zona Aérea and from 1973 as part of III Comando Aéreo Regional (III COMAR).

Aircraft operated: C-47 1969-1976, EMB110 (C-95) 1973-1996, EMB110P1K (C-95B) 1986-, EMB120 (C-97) from 1998 & C-95M from 2011

1 Grupo de Transporte – 1 Esquadrão “Gordo” (1/1 GT)

The unit was formed in 1953 with Douglas C-47 Skytrain and operated them until 1965, when this unit received the first Lockheed C-130E Hercules. The C-47 Skytrain were passed to 2° Esquadrão / 1° Grupo de Transporte (2°/1° GT). From 1975 the squadron also operated Lockheed C-130H Hercules and from 1986 the Lockheed KC-130H Hercules from 2° Esquadrão / 1° Grupo de Transporte de Tropas (2°/1° GTT). In 1988 the unit received also the Lockheed SC-130E Hercules from (2°/1° GTT) and 1° Esquadrão / 6° Grupo de Aviação. From 2003 the KC/C-130H were upgraded to M models.

Aircraft operated: C-47 1953-1965, C-130E 1965-1999, C-130H from 1975, KC-130H from 1986, SC-130E 1988-2011 & KC-390 from 2019

2 Grupo de Transporte – 1 Esquadrão “Condor” (1/2 GT)

The unit was formed in 1959 at Base Aérea do Galeão, Rio de Janeiro with Douglas C-54G Skymaster. These aircraft were replaced in 1969 with Hawker Siddely HS-748 Avro from Grupo de Transporte Especial (GTE) and received new aircraft in 1978 from 2° Esquadrão “Corsário” / 2° Grupo de Transporte (2°/2° GT).

Aircraft operated: C-54G 1959-1969, Viscount (VC-90) 1969-1971, HS748 (VC-91) 1969-2006 & ERJ145 (C-99A) from 2005

2 Grupo de Transporte – 2 Esquadrão “Corsario” (2/2 GT)

The unit was formed in 1968 at to Base Aérea do Galeão, Rio de Janeiro with Douglas C-118 Liftmaster. These aircraft were replaced in 1975 with Hawker Siddeley HS-748 Avro. In 1986 the squadron adopted also the inflight refuelling role, when it received four Boeing KC-137 (Boeing 707) tanker aircraft.

Aircraft operated: C-118 1968-1975, HS748 (C-91) 1975-1978, EMB110K1 (C-95A) 1978-, KC-137 1986-2013, B767 (civil) 2016-2019 & A330MRTT from 2022

12 Ala at Santa Cruz

1 Grupo de Aviação de Caza – 1 Esquadrão “Jambock” (1GAvCa)

This unit was formed as 1° Esquadrão / 9° Grupo de Aviação (1°/9° GAv) with Republic F-47D Thunderbolt from the disbanded 1° Grupo de Aviação de Caça (1º GAvCa). The name of the unit was changed in 1949, when the squadron became 1° Esquadrão / 1° Grupo de Aviação de Caça (1°/1º GAvCa). The aircraft are jointly used by both squadrons. A major upgrade programme for the F-5 started in 2005 and was completed in 2020. 40 aircraft were modernised.

Aircraft operated: Meteor F8/T7 (F-8) 1953-1968, T-33A 1968-1972, EMB326GB (AT-26) 1972-1975 & F-5 1975-2021

1 Grupo de Aviação de Caza – 2 Esquadrão “Pif Paf” (2/1 GAvCa)

This unit was formed as 2° Esquadrão / 9° Grupo de Aviação (2°/9° GAv) with Republic F-47D Thunderbolt from the disbanded 2° Grupo de Aviação de Caça (2º GAvCa). The name of the unit was changed in 1949, when the squadron became 2° Esquadrão / 1° Grupo de Aviação de Caça (2°/1º GAvCa). The aircraft are jointly used by both squadrons.

Aircraft operated: Meteor F8/T7 (F-8/TF-7) 1953-1968, T-33A 1968-1972, EMB326GB (AT-26) 1972-1975 & F-5 1975-2021

7 Grupo de Aviação – 1 Esquadrão “Orungan” (1/7 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1944 at Base Aérea de Salvador, Salvador, Bahia as 2° Grupo de Bombardeio Médio, part of 6° Regimento de Aviação, with North American B-25J Mitchell and Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon and operated them until 1951 and 1958 respectively. The unit received its present name in 1947. Eight P-95 were upgraded to P-95BM.

Aircraft operated: P-2E (P-15) 1958-1978, EMB111A (P-95A) 1977-1989, EMB111A (P-95B) 1989-2010 & P-3AM from 2010

8 Grupo de Aviação – 3 Esquadrão “Puma” (3/8 GAv)

The unit was formed in 1980 at Base Aérea dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro, when 3° Esquadrão Misto de Reconhecimento e Ataque (3º EMRA) with Bell UH-1H Iroquois, Neiva L-42 Regente and Embraer EMB-326GB Xavante (AT-26) was disbanded.

Aircraft operated: T-25C 1980-, UH-1H 1980-1981, L-42 1980-, SA330L (CH-33) 1981-1987, AS332M (CH-34) 1987-2015 & EC725 (H-36) from 2015

15 Ala at Recife

2 Esquadrão de Transporte Aéreo (2 ETA)

The unit was formed in 1969 at Base Aérea de Recife, Pernambuco subordinated directly to the Comando de Transporte Aéreo. The squadron became part of Núcleo do Comando da Primeira Força Aérea de Transporte Aéreo in 1969 and II Comando Aéreo Regional (II COMAR) in 1979.

Aircraft operated: C-47 1969-1975, EMB110 (C-95) 1975-, EMB110K1 (C-95A) -2009, EMB120 (C-97) from 2008, C208A (C-98) from 2009, EMB110P1K (C-95B) 2009- & C-95M from 2013

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