Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force (Portuguese: Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branches were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces" in 1941. Both air branches transferred their equipments, installations and personnel to the new force.
| Brazilian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Força Aérea Brasileira | |
Emblem of the Brazilian Air Force | |
| Founded | 20 January 1941 |
| Country | Brazil |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 80,937 personnel (2018) 676 aircraft (2020) |
| Part of | Brazilian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Brasília |
| Patron | Alberto Santos-Dumont Eduardo Gomes |
| Motto(s) | Portuguese: Asas que protegem o País "Wings that protect the country" |
| March | Hino dos Aviadores |
| Anniversaries | 22 May (anniversary) 22 April (fighter aviation day) |
| Engagements | Contestado War Lieutenants Revolts Bombing of São Paulo Constitutionalist War World War II Lobster War Cold War Três Passos Guerrilla Caparaó Guerrilla Araguaia Guerrilla War Operation Traira Operation Restore |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
| Minister of Defence | José Múcio |
| Commander of the Air Force | Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin flash | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | AMX A-1, A-29 Super Tucano |
| Electronic warfare | EMB 145 AEW&C, EMB-145 RS |
| Fighter | F-5EM Tiger II, F-39 Gripen NG |
| Helicopter | AS332 Super Puma, EC 135, UH-60 Black Hawk, EC725 Super Cougar |
| Patrol | P-3 Orion, EMB 111, IAI Heron |
| Reconnaissance | EMB 110, AMX RA-1, Learjet 35, Hermes 450, Hermes 900, IAI Heron |
| Trainer | F-5FM Tiger II, AMX A-1B, AT-27 Tucano, AT-29 Super Tucano, T-25 Universal, HB350B Esquilo |
| Transport | C-390 Millennium, Caravan II, EADS CASA C-295, Airbus A319, EMB 190, EMB 500, ERJ 135, EMB 110, EMB 120, EMB 145 |
| Tanker | C-390 Millennium, Airbus A330 MRTT |
| Brazilian Air Force of the Brazilian Armed Forces |
|---|
| History and future |
| Air and space command |
| Aircraft |
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According to Flight International (Flightglobal.com) and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Brazilian Air Force has an active strength of 80,937 military personnel and operates around 715 aircraft. The Brazilian Air Force is the largest air force in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest in the Americas after the United States Air Force.