Portuguese Air Force
How Portuguese Air Force TB-30 training course has evolved
Joe Campion visits Esquadra 101 ‘Roncos’, the main hub of Portuguese pilot training, as its students embark on a new syllabus
Portugal’s SAR AW101 Merlin lifesavers
Covering an area of more than two million square miles, Portugal’s Merlin rescue helicopters have a huge task on their hands. Davide Daverio looks at their vital search and rescue role
Esquadra 802: Inside the world’s last operational de Havilland Chipmunk squadron
After more than 70 years of military service, the Chipmunk basic trainer is still flying high in Portugal, as AirForces Monthly discovered
Portuguese Air Force F-86 Sabre
On September 18, 2022 at Monte Real AB annual open gates day, a newly restored F-86F Sabre was presented in silver with red nose, wing and tail tips, as per the colour scheme of the short-lived Esquadra 52 “Galos” (Roosters)…
EXCLUSIVE: Flying mountain operations with AW119s from Portugal’s Esquadra 552
We joined the Portuguese Air Force’s Esquadra 552 ‘Zangões’ for a mountain flying exercise. The unit has proven the relevance of training exercises – battling major wildfires
Portugal orders six Black Hawks to help fight fires
Six Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks have been ordered by the Portuguese Air Force to provide additional support to the country’s resources in fighting rural wildfires
Portugal’s first KC-390 enters final phase of testing
The first of five Embraer KC-390 Millennium tanker-transports for the Portuguese Air Force has entered its final phase of testing ahead of its planned arrival in Portugal
Inside ESQ601: Portugal's P-3C CUP+ Squadron
With the aging Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion commonly being replaced by the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, Joe Campion reports on how the Portuguese Air Force and its fleet prove the maritime patrol legend is still worthy of its role
Unit report: On patrol with Portugal's P-3C fleet
The Portuguese Air Force’s P-3C maritime patrol aircraft is the workhorse of the country’s search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, an adaptable platform that can be rapidly configured for each mission set
Unit Report: Portugal's Falcões & Jaguares
As the Portuguese Air Force celebrates its 70th anniversary, Esquadra 201 and 301, operating the F-16A/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcon, continues to be the tip of the spear. Key's Josef Campion visits the two units in Monte Real