A FAB e o 1º grupo de aviação de caça na Segunda Guerra Mundial: o processo de profissionalização da aviação militar no Brasil

Abstract

This research discusses the influence of the employment of the Brazilian Air Force, through the 1st Fighter Aviation Group, in its process of professionalization. Through the qualitative method of investigation, an exploratory and qualitative research of bibliographic sources on the topic was carried out, with historical, conceptual, theoretical and opinion data. It showed the challenges that surrounded the creation, in 1941, of the Brazilian Air Force, through the merger of military aviation from the Navy, Army and civil aviation from the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, magnified by Brazil’s entry into World War II. It dealt with the normative contents that surrounded the creation and the first restructurings carried out in FAB. It unveiled the form and acquisitions of air means, human resources training and everything that surrounded the sending of the 1st Gp Av Ca to the European theater of operations, fighting enemies in the skies of Italy. It made a comparison between all structures that FAB had in its first decade, especially after the end of World War II, demonstrating major changes occurred in its organization until the end of 1950, including regarding preparation and education of its personnel. It concluded by demonstrating that contact from members of 1st Gp Av Ca with what was most advanced in terms of training, employment procedures and air tactics, through USAAF, had a great influence on FAB’s professionalization process during researched period.