- Monte Real Air Base
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Monte Real Air Base IATA: none – ICAO: LPMR Summary Airport type Military: Air Force Base Operator Portuguese Air Force Location Monte Real, Portugal Built 1959 In use 1959 - present Occupants 51st Operations Group Elevation AMSL 187 ft / 57 m Coordinates 39°49′42″N 008°53′15″W / 39.82833°N 8.8875°W Runways Direction Length Surface ft m 01/19 8,078 2,462 Concrete
Monte Real Air Base (Air Force Base No. 5) (ICAO: LPMR) in Monte Real, Leiria, Portugal, was initially opened on October 4, 1959. The mission of this Air Base is to guarantee the readiness and deployment of the air force units attributed to it, and several operational Squadrons have already been based there, equipped with F-86 Sabre, Fiat G.91, T-33 Shooting Star, T-38 Talon and A-7 Corsair II aircraft.History
In 1958, the 51st squadron was formed as the first of two F-86 Sabre squadrons of the new Operational Group 501. Operational Group 501, the second fighter group in the Portuguese Air Force, was founded at Air Base 2 but then moved to Air Base 5 after the completion of construction at Monte Real.
Adopting the motto "Alcança Quem Não Cansa," the pilots of Operational Group initially formed two squadrons: the 51st Squadron "Falcões" (Falcons) and the 52nd Squadron "Galos" (Roosters). Together the squadrons totaled nearly 50 F-86F combat aircraft. On the 4th of October, 1959, the President of the Republic Admiral Américo Tomás officially inaugurated Air Base 5.
On the 24th of December, 1981, a new chapter began at Air Base 5 with the arrival of first nine A-7P Corsair II fighter aircraft. The number eventually grew to 20, and these aircraft formed 302 Attack Squadron, taking on the symbols and traditions of the 51st Squadron "Falcões."
On the 28th of June 1984, during a meeting of the NATO Commission of Infrastructures in Brussels, the aerodrome of Monte Real was formally accepted as NATO infrastructure to be equipped with two attack squadrons of A-7P aircraft and a future interceptor squadron.
On the 25th anniversary of the inauguration of Monte Real Air Base, the 4th of October, 1984, the 304 Attack Squadron was officially activated and became the second attack squadron with A-7P aircraft. This squadron became the heir of the traditions, symbols, and deeds of the 93rd Squadron "Magníficos" (Magnificents), deactivated at Air Base 9, in 1973 in Luanda, Africa.
On the 4th of October, 1993, the 201 Squadron was reactivated and equipped with F-16s. This squadron resumed the mission of Air Defense, and inherited the traditions and symbol of the "Falcões."
On November 25, 2005, the 301 Squadron was transferred to Air Base 5 from Air Base 11 in Beja. The 301 Squadron received the first F-16AM (F-16A with the Mid-Life Update) for the Portuguese Air Force. The 301 Squadron maintained the symbol and traditions of the "Jaguares" (Jaguars).
Units
Monte Real Air Base hosts the 51st Operations Group (GO51). The GO51's operational fighter squadrons are:
- 201 Fighter Squadron "Falcões" (Falcons)
- 301 Fighter Squadron "Jaguares" (Jaguars)
Both squadrons fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
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