Natal Air Force Base (Parnamirim Airport)

Natal Air Force Base (ALA10) is a Brazilian Air Force facility located in Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, 18 km from downtown Natal. Established in 1942 as Parnamirim Airport, the site functioned as a transit point for aircraft traveling between South America and West Africa during World War II. Between 1943 and 1945, the base was used jointly by the Brazilian Air Force, the United States Army, the United States Navy, and the Royal Air Force. During this period, maintenance and security installations were managed by the U.S. Army in the South Atlantic (USAFSA). The facility shared infrastructure with Augusto Severo International Airport until May 2014.

The base is operated by the Brazilian Air Force and hosts several aviation and support units. The 1st Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group operates C-95BM and CM Bandeirante aircraft, while the 2nd Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group utilizes A-29A Super Tucano aircraft. Rotary-wing units stationed at the base include the 1st Squadron of the 8th Aviation Group, operating H-36 Caracal helicopters, and the 1st Squadron of the 11th Aviation Group, which uses H-50 Esquilo helicopters. The 2nd Squadron of Air Transportation operates a fleet of C-95B and BM Bandeirante, C-97 Brasília, and C-98A Caravan aircraft.

Support and specialized operations are conducted by the 3rd Squadron of the 1st Communications and Control Group, which employs radar and air defense equipment. Historically, the base has hosted various aircraft types including the B-25J Mitchell, B-26B Invader, T-27 Tucano, F-47 Thunderbolt, MS-760 Paris, T-6G Texan, and AT-26 Xavante.