Santa Cruz Air Force Base — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Santa Cruz Air Force Base, coded SNZ, is a Brazilian military installation located in the Santa Cruz district of Rio de Janeiro state, though administratively and operationally its aviation activities are more closely associated with São Paulo region defense operations within Brazil's air force network. Primarily serving the Brazilian Air Force, the base supports military training, transport, and defense operations, with limited civil aviation activity handled alongside its core military functions. SNZ's dual-use character is common among Brazilian air bases, which often accommodate both national defense needs and occasional civilian or cargo flights. The base reflects Brazil's broader strategy of maintaining strategically located air force installations near major population and industrial centers along the country's southeastern coast.