Manaus Air Force Base (Ponta Pelada Airport)

Manaus Air Force Base is located 9 km from downtown Manaus in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The facility originated as Ponta Pelada Airport, which was constructed in 1954. The Brazilian Air Force established the military base in 1970, initially sharing infrastructure with civilian airport authorities. In 1976, all public aviation operations were transferred to Eduardo Gomes International Airport, after which the facility was renamed Manaus Air Force Base and dedicated exclusively to military use.

The base is operated by the Brazilian Air Force and hosts multiple aviation units from both the air force and the Brazilian Army. Stationed units include the 7th Squadron of the 8th Aviation Group (7°/8°GAv), which operates H-60L Black Hawk helicopters, and the 1st Squadron of the 9th Aviation Group (1°/9°GAv), which utilizes C-105A Amazonas transport aircraft. The 7th Squadron of Air Transportation (7°ETA) is also based at the facility, operating C-97 Brasília and C-98A Grand Caravan aircraft. The Brazilian Army maintains the 4th Aviation Battalion (4° BAvEx) at the installation, which utilizes HM-1 Pantera, HM-2 Black Hawk, and HM-4 Jaguar helicopters.

The infrastructure supports fixed-wing transport and rotary-wing operations. Aircraft currently hosted at the installation include the Sikorsky H-60L Black Hawk, CASA C-105A Amazonas, Embraer C-97 Brasília, and Cessna C-98A Grand Caravan for the Brazilian Air Force. Army aviation assets at the site include the Eurocopter HM-1 Pantera, Sikorsky HM-2 Black Hawk, and HM-4 Jaguar. Previously, the base hosted aircraft such as the AT-26 Xavante, H-34 Super Puma, C-115 Buffalo, C-95B Bandeirante, F-5EM, and HM-3 Cougar.