Base Aérea Nº 10 (BA10) was established in February 1961 next to the strategic port city of Beira. It served as the operational heart and command centre for Air Region 3 (ZA3) during the Portuguese Colonial War.
Because Beira occupied a central location in Mozambique, the base acted as the primary staging ground for offensive aerial warfare. It bridged the logistical gap between the distant southern command center in Lourenço Marques and the intense frontline actions unfolding in the northern jungle provinces.
- The Jet Fighter Hub: BA10 was famously home to Esquadra 101, which operated the sleek Fiat G.91 R/4 jet fighter-bombers. These fast-attack jets were deployed daily to clear ambush points, provide close air support to ground forces, and deliver precision rocket and machine-gun strikes on FRELIMO bases.
- The Heavy Bombers: The base also hosted Esquadra 102, flying Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon and P2V-5 Neptune aircraft. These heavy patrol planes were specially modified to rain unguided saturation bomb runs over enemy strongholds across Cabo Delgado and Niassa.
- Paratrooper Logistics: Elite paratroopers (Pára-quedistas) used the base heavily to organize major combat jumps. From here, a massive fleet of transport aircraft shuttled troops directly into forward combat strips during large-scale actions like Operation Gordian Knot.
Following the Carnation Revolution in 1974, BA10 became a frantic air-evacuation zone for departing military personnel and civilians. After independence, the installations were transferred to the state and now function as Beira International Airport.