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Portugal and
Spain visit 2006 |
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15-05 Visit Montijo |
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Montijo air base is located near the city of Montijo, on the left bank of the Tagus river, facing Lisbon. Several squadrons from the Portuguese Air Force as well as
the Portuguese Navy are based at this large base. The Air Force stationed four operational flying units at Montijo; 501 Squadron, 504 Squadron, 601 Squadron and 751 Squadron. The Navy stationed their Esquadron Helicopters, operating
the Lynx Mk.95 helicopters, at Montijo. After reporting at the gate we were sent to the main building where we were greeted by our guide Lt Mirande. |
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We started our visit at 751 Squadron to have a look at the EH-101. The EH-101's of 751 Squadron are primarily used for Search and Rescue missions. The regular status is 30 minutes, on request 15 minutes.
In case of events 2 minutes and off duty 45 minutes. At the moment 10 out of the 21 EH-101 are delivered, the Puma's are at the moment only operational at the Azores. Ones the unit there is transited to the EH-101 all flying with the
Puma will stop. With the EH-101 being fully automated the job of the crew has become easier, its now possible to let the chopper fly it self to a gps coordinate, which makes the SAR more effective. A other big plus is the longer range
and on station time of this chopper |
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We continued our visit past the herc's for a quick foto before going to the Lynx squadron fore some action shots of a Lynx. At the P-3 the platform we saw two old friends who just left for the Portuguese
Air Force P-3C 300 and 307.
501 Squadron - "Bisontes" (Bisons) operates the C-130 H and H30 (long version) of the Hercules. There Primary Mission is tactical air transport operations. With a secondary Missions including; search and rescue operations, general air
transport operations and provide support for fire fighting operations |
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601 Squadron "Lobos" (Wolves) operates the P-3P Orion and P-3C cup II, being delivered from the Dutch navy. Primarily to execute maritime surveillance
missions and detection, tracking and attack of submarines and surface warships. They are also used for search and rescue missions and mining operations. Technically also
based at Montijo is 504 Squadron "Linces" (Lynxes). The unit operates the Falcon 20 en 50 in the VIP transport role. Mostly the aircraft operate out of the airport of
Lisbon. |
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Squadron 501 - "Bisontes" (Bisons) |
Squadron 504 - "Linces" (Lynxes) |
Squadron 601 - "Lobos" (Wolves) |
Squadron 751 - "Pumas" (Pumas) |
MARINHA (NAVY AVIATION)
Portugal's navy regained an aviation element in 1993 when its Esquadrilha de Helicopteros de Marinha - or naval helicopter flight - was formed to operate the Super Lynx MK95.
After evaluation of the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite, an order was placed with Westland for 5 Super Lynx helicopters in 1989.
They are shore-based at the air force's Montijo airbase and deploy at sea aboard the navy's Vasco da Gama guided missile frigates.
The pilots and maintenance engineers were then trained on the type by the Royal Navy and Westland Helicopters. The EHM unit which operates the Super Lynx was officially formed in September 1995. |
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| We would like to thank the following persons for their help in arranging the visit; the Public relation office's of the Portuguese Air Force and Navy. The officers who took the time for our visit
and Lt Miranda who escorted us during the visit. |
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