Canoas Air Force Base (Gravataí Air Force Base)

Canoas Air Force Base is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, situated 6 km east of downtown Canoas and 21 km north of Porto Alegre. The facility originated in 1937 with the transfer of the 3rd Army Aviation Regiment from Santa Maria Air Force Base. Following the creation of the Air Force Ministry in 1941, the installation was designated as Gravataí Air Force Base. It was officially commissioned as Canoas Air Force Base on 21 August 1944. Between May and October 2024, the base handled civilian commercial flights following the suspension of operations at Porto Alegre International Airport due to regional flooding.

The base is operated by the Brazilian Air Force and serves as the station for several aviation and support units. The 1st Squadron of the 14th Aviation Group operates F-5EM and FM fighter aircraft. The 5th Squadron of Air Transportation operates a fleet consisting of C-95BM and CM Bandeirante, C-97 Brasília, and C-98A Caravan aircraft. Maritime patrol missions are conducted by the 2nd Squadron of the 7th Aviation Group, which operates P-95BM Bandeirulha aircraft.

Support infrastructure includes facilities for the 2nd Squadron of the 1st Communications and Control Group, which operates radar systems and air defense equipment. The installation maintains an asphalt runway and hosted various retired aircraft types in the past, including the Gloster F-8 Meteor, Embraer AT-26 Xavante, and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.