Florianópolis Air Force Base

Florianópolis Air Force Base – BAFL is a base of the Brazilian Air Force, located in Florianópolis, Brazil.

It shares some facilities with Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport.

History
In 1923 the Brazilian Navy created at the present site of the Florianópolis Air Force Base the Center for Air Naval Aviation of Santa Catarina, operating amphibian aircraft.

Between 1927 and 1932, the then known as Campeche Field was also used by the French aviators of the Compagnie Générale Aéropostale for its operations in Florianópolis. Among them were Jean Mermoz, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Henri Guillaumet.

The Air Naval base existed until 1941, when the government changed its jurisdiction to the Brazilian Air Force. It was then that it received its present name.

During World War II the base was dedicated to missions of anti-submarine surveillance in the southern coast of Brazil.

Units
The following unit is based at Florianópolis Air Force Base:

Subordinated to the command of the 2nd Air Force (II FAe), which is dedicated to Search and Rescue, Rotorary Wings, and Maritime Patrol:
 * 2nd Squadron of the 7th Aviation Group (2º/7ºGAv), the Phoenix Squadron, using P-95A (Embraer EMB 111 Bandeirante Patrulha) aircraft for Maritime Patrol Missions.

The base also has a Cessna 208 Caravan for administrative functions.

Accidents and incidents

 * June 6, 1949: Brazilian Air Force, a Douglas C-47B-50-DK registration FAB-2023 flying from Florianópolis to Canoas Air Force Base flew into the side of a mountain shortly after take-off and flying into heavy overcast. All 28 passengers and crew died.
 * December 26, 2002: Brazilian Air Force, an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante registration FAB-2292 en route from São Paulo-Campo de Marte to Florianópolis Air Force Base, crashed while trying to carry out an emergency landing at Curitiba-Afonso Pena. Reportedly, both engines had quit. The airplane had taken off with insufficient fuel on board to complete the flight to Florianópolis. Three passengers and crew of the 16 aboard died.

Access
The base is located 14 km from downtown Florianópolis.