Santa Cruz Air Force Base (Bartolomeu de Gusmão Airport)

Santa Cruz Air Force Base is located in the Santa Cruz district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 54 km from the city center. Originally established as Bartolomeu de Gusmão Airport, the facility was constructed in 1936 to support rigid airship operations by Deutsche Luft Hansa. The site initially comprised an airfield, a hydrogen factory, and a dedicated railway branch-line. Civil operations at the site ceased in 1937. The facility was commissioned as a Brazilian Air Force installation on February 12, 1942, and designated as Santa Cruz Air Force Base on January 16, 1943.

Infrastructure at the facility includes a hangar built to accommodate rigid airships, which was designated a National Heritage Site in 1999.

The Brazilian Air Force operates the installation, which hosts multiple aviation and support units. The 1st Fighter Aviation Group (1ºGAvC) consists of the 1st and 2nd Squadrons, which operate F-5EM and FM aircraft. Maritime and reconnaissance roles are conducted by the 1st Squadron of the 7th Aviation Group (1°/7°GAv), using P-3AM Orion aircraft and Elbit RQ-1150 Heron systems. The 3rd Squadron of the 8th Aviation Group (3°/8°GAv) operates H-36 Caracal helicopters. Ground-based air defense is provided by the 1st Squadron of the 1st Communications and Control Group (1º/1ºGCC), which utilizes radar and communications equipment.