Misplaced Pages

#797202

144-473: The origin of the Lajes Field dates back to 1928, when Portuguese Army Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Gomes da Silva wrote a report on the possible construction of an airfield in the plainland of Lajes, for that branch's aviation service ( Portuguese : Aeronáutica Militar ). However, the location of Achada on the center of the island was chosen instead at the time for the construction of the field. In 1934,

288-601: A horse artillery battery. The Portuguese Army underwent a major reorganization in 1807, being focused mainly on the territorial military division of the country, for recruitment, mobilization and training purposes, taking advantage of the data obtained in the 1801 census about the number and distribution of the Portuguese population. The country was divided into three grand military divisions (North, Center and South), these being in turn subdivided into 24 recruiting districts called Ordenança brigades. This geometrical division

432-419: A sergeant-major . The Ordenanças system would cover virtually all available manpower of Portugal and become part of the basis of the Portuguese military organization until the 19th century. Its efficiency would soon be evidenced by its important contribution to the raising of the expeditionary army that would fight the 1578 Moroccan campaign . During the reign of Sebastian, Portuguese land forces also adopted

576-619: A British second in command or vice versa. The Militias were augmented with newly raised special units, including the infantry and cavalry regiments of the Royal Commerce Volunteers, the 1st and 2nd battalions of national artillerymen of Lisbon, the 1st and 2nd battalions of national caçadores of Lisbon and the Battalion of the Royal Volunteers of Oporto. Active units of Ordenanças were also raised, including

720-651: A cavalry regiment). Since the 17th century, several military academies had been established in several parts of the Overseas for the training of the members of the local military forces. In 1792, the Real Academia de Artilharia, Fortificação e Desenho (Royal Academy of Artillery, Fortification and Drawing) was established in Rio de Janeiro – on the exact model of the Royal Academy of Fortification of Lisbon – for

864-586: A character of a kind of a civil war, with the forces loyal to the Portuguese Government fighting the separatist army whose leaders and officers were also mostly Portuguese. By 1823, the resistance of the Portuguese loyal forces was concentrated in some coastal cities, especially those of Salvador of Bahia and Montevideo (presently the capital of Uruguay), all under siege of the Brazilian separatist forces. Despite repelling successive attacks by

1008-541: A deep reformation of the military higher education also occurred. The previous Royal Academy of Fortification, Artillery and Design was transformed into the new Escola do Exército (Army School) , intended to train the Army officers and also to train civil engineers. The old Royal Academy of the Navy was replaced by the new Escola Politécnica (Polytechnic School), intended to serve as an undergraduate preparatory establishment for

1152-435: A detachment of Squadron 301 - equipped with Fiat G.91 fighter-bombers - starts to be based at Lajes, this being augmented and becoming Squadron 303 "Jaguares" in 1981. The M w 7.2 Azores Islands earthquake affected Terceira Island. Damage to Lajes Field was minimal, but Portuguese communities throughout the island suffered extensive damage. Military personnel responded with food, shelter, equipment, and manpower. In

1296-487: A guerrilla warfare in several regions of the country until around 1838. The Article 9 of the Concession of Evoramonte established that all regiments and corps loyal to Michael should peacefully disband themselves. This meant in practice the dismantling of the "old" Portuguese Army, as most of its centuries-old regiments were disbanded. The victorious Liberals regime then raised a "new" Portuguese Army built essentially from

1440-578: A long history, directly connected to the history of Portugal since its early beginnings. The Portuguese Army has its remote origins in the military forces of the County of Portugal that allowed its ruler, Afonso Henriques , to obtain its independence from the Kingdom of León and to enlarge its territory in the 12th century. The victory of the Portuguese forces in the Battle of São Mamede , on 24 June 1128,

1584-564: A mid Atlantic safe haven. In 2009 Lajes provided rescue support of shipping lanes across the Atlantic, a safe haven for medical or mechanical emergency situations in aircraft crossing the Atlantic, and support for the USAF's continuing campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan . Fighter, tanker and transport planes frequently stopped there, either east or westbound. The next decade expects to see a rise in

SECTION 10

#1732787140798

1728-407: A military framework for the Portuguese population and to create a nationwide standardized system of military training and mobilization. It was organized into 250-man companies , each headed by a captain , assisted by an alferes ( ensign ) and a sergeant . The several Ordenanças companies of a city, town or municipality were grouped into captaincies, each headed by a captain-major , assisted by

1872-590: A much reduced scale, with relevant changes to be implemented from March 2014. In addition to the 65th Air Base Wing, other units at Lajes Field include the U.S. Army Military Traffic Management Command's 1324th Military Port Command in the nearby port of Praia da Vitoria, U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command ’s 729th Air Mobility Support Squadron, Detachment 6 of the Air Force Public Affairs Agency , Detachment 250 - Air Force Office of Special Investigations , DLA Disposition Services , and

2016-667: A newly raised volunteers corps (the Corps of Royalist Volunteers ), that included around 40 battalions and a number of independent companies of cavalry and caçadores . The army raised by the Liberals to fight the Miguelites came to be known as the "Liberator Army" ( Exército Libertador ). It started to be raised from the military units stationed in the Azores (the first portion of the Portuguese territory under Liberal control), including

2160-473: A reduction of more than 400 military personnel and 500 family members by the end of fiscal year 2014. This force reduction is estimated to garner a cost savings of $ 35 million annually. The base supports NATO and non-NATO armed forces assets crossing the Atlantic for transport, VIP, exercise, relief or humanitarian duties. The civilian terminal also plays an important role in support of passenger and cargo airliners, executive, corporate and private jets flying to

2304-937: A regiment of light troops of infantry and cavalry. William, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe was appointed to the new rank of Field Marshal General ( Marechal-General ) to command the Army in that campaign and, at the same time, to reorganize it. With the end of the War, the Army was again reduced. By 1764, the first line of the Army included 27 infantry regiments (three of them permanently deployed in Brazil), 10 regiments of cavalry, two regiments of dragoons, four regiments of artillery, one regiment of foreign infantry (the Royal Foreigners Regiment) and one regiment of light troops (the Royal Volunteers Regiment). Additionally, there were two regiments of infantry of

2448-766: A series of military set backs, losing several territories in Africa, in Asia and in America . On 1   December 1640, the Portuguese revolted and restored their full independence, under the leadership of the Duke of Braganza , who was crowned as King John IV of Portugal . The Portuguese Restoration War then started, with the Portuguese Army defeating the Spanish Army in a series of military campaigns, until achieving

2592-672: A single mixed unit operating both C-212 and Aérospatiale Puma, the 711 Squadron "Albatrozes" ( Albatrosses ). The resident Portuguese 711 Squadron was deactivated on 30 November 2006. With this act the long-serving Aerospatiale Puma was retired from service. The Puma helicopters were replaced by the modern AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin : the Portuguese government purchased twelve units for SAR, CSAR and Fisheries enforcement. Air Base No.4 received three Merlins on permanent detachment from Esquadra 751 "Pumas" from Air Base No.6 at Montijo , near Lisbon. They saw immediate service starting 1 December 2006. However, maintenance problems developed in

2736-494: A subordinate unified command in the Azores called U.S. Forces Azores (USFORAZ). A small staff of United States Army , United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps personnel composed the joint staff of USFORAZ, serving as the liaison between the U.S. and the Portuguese in the Azores. In the late 1950s, USAF air refueling/tanker aircraft were stationed at Lajes to provide inflight refueling for U.S. aircraft transiting

2880-581: Is centered on the 1995 Agreement on Cooperation and Defense (ACD). For 50 years, Lajes Field in the Azores has played an important role in supporting U.S. military aircraft (its importance such that the US had a contingency plan in 1975 to stimulate Azores independence in the event of a Communist takeover of Portugal ). Most recent missions are engaged in counter-terrorism and humanitarian efforts, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Portugal also provides

3024-521: Is considered the seminal event for the foundation of an independent Portugal, leading to Afonso Henriques to style himself as Prince. The Portuguese forces were also involved in the Reconquista , successively advancing south to reconquer territories occupied by the Moors and expand the territory of Portugal. On 25 July 1139, the Portuguese troops obtain a spectacular victory over five Moorish kings in

SECTION 20

#1732787140798

3168-878: Is raised to the status of Kingdom, with the whole Portuguese Monarchy becoming the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves . As a retaliation against the Napoleonic invasion of the Portugal, the Portuguese forces in Brazil invaded and conquered the French Guiana in 1808 . In 1811, the Portuguese Army in Brazil invaded the Banda Oriental (present-day Uruguay), to retake Portuguese claimed territories that were under Spanish occupation. In 1816,

3312-750: Is the home of the 65th Air Base Group , which in turn is subordinate to the United States Air Forces in Europe . The group provides base and en route support for the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO, and other authorized aircraft transiting the installation. Due to the global economic crisis, the US government decided to reduce the military contingent at Lajes to no more than 170 active duty personnel. Families will relocate stateside or elsewhere, several buildings, dorms and homes will be made redundant. This much reduced effective will still be responsible to keep Lajes operational mission active although at

3456-572: Is the land component of the Armed Forces of Portugal and is also its largest branch. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. With its origins going back to the 12th century, it can be considered one of the oldest active armies in the world. The Portuguese Army is commanded by the Chief of Staff of the Army (CEME), a subordinate of

3600-674: The 5 October 1910 revolution that abolished the Portuguese Monarchy and replaced it with the First Portuguese Republic . In 1917, both Portugal and the United States joined World War I on the side of the Allies . During World War II , Portugal remained neutral until 1944, when it allowed the United States to establish a military base in the Azores. Both countries remained on the same side during

3744-595: The Battle of Corunna , the Portuguese Army was reconstituted under the initiative of the Secretary of War Pereira Forjaz and re-trained by the British under the direction of Lieutenant General William Beresford . Most of the 1807 organization was retained, but with the addition of the newly raised independent battalions of caçadores , that would become famous in the Peninsular War. These were formed mainly by

3888-526: The Battle of Ourique , after its end proclaiming Afonso Henriques as King of the Portuguese . Under the Treaty of Zamora , signed on 5 October 1143, Portugal was officially recognized as an independent Kingdom. In 1147, an important step in the Reconquista is done, with the conquest of the city of Lisbon to the moors. The Portuguese part of the Reconquista would finally come to an end in 1249, with

4032-597: The Bermudas and Lajes before going on to Craw Field (Kenitra Air Base) at Port Lyautey. The United States and the United Kingdom transferred control of Lajes back to Portugal in 1946. The Portuguese redesignated Lajes as Air Base No. 4 and assigned it to the air branch of the Portuguese Army. However, talks between the U.S. and Portugal began about extending the American stay in the Azores. A temporary agreement

4176-597: The Cold War , with both Portugal and the United States becoming founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. The harmonious relationship between Portugal and the United States was strained during the 1960s and 70s. Amid a wider global trend of decolonization , the Portuguese colonies of Angola , Mozambique , and Guinea-Bissau , all in Africa, began to demand independence from Portugal. The strain in relations

4320-480: The Defense Commissary Agency . Lajes Field is also the home of the 65th Communication Squadron, which provides communication in the form of High Frequency Global Communications Systems (HFGCS), ground radio, ground radar, SatCom (Satellite Communications), and cryptography to the base. Civilian operators may use Terceira Airport/Lajes Air Base after requesting a landing permit according to

4464-482: The Exército (Army). The high command structure of the new military organization had a Council of War ( Conselho de Guerra ) as the supreme military body of the country. The Monarch delegated most of his military roles in this council, including the responsibility for military organization, commission of officers, military operations planning, building of fortifications and military justice. The role of Captain-General of

Lajes Field - Misplaced Pages Continue

4608-604: The Liberal Wars , a civil conflict that opposed the Miguelites (Absolutists) led by King Michael I to the Liberals led by his brother Peter (ex- Peter I of Brazil and ex- Peter IV of Portugal , defending the rights of his daughter, the Queen Mary II ). The Portuguese Army divided itself by the two sides, although most of its units aligned on the side of Michael. The Miguelite forces were occasionally referred as

4752-575: The Patuleia . The Royalist Army ( Exército Realista ) that fought on the Miguelite side resulted essentially from the reorganization of the Portuguese Army established by King Michael I in 1829. The main changes implemented in this reorganization were the formal disbandment of the military units that joined the liberal side, the change of the line regiments designation system (the units ceased to be identified by numbers and come to be again designated by

4896-805: The Portuguese forces invaded again the Banda Oriental , defeating the forces of Artigas in a series of battles. Banda Oriental is then annexed to the Portuguese Crown as the Brazilian Cisplatine Province . After the declaration of the Independence of Brazil in September 1822, by the Portuguese Prince heir Peter , the Portuguese Army fought the brief Brazilian War of Independence . This war assumed

5040-786: The Seven Years' War , fighting the Spanish in the European theater ( Iberian Peninsula ) and in the South American theater . In 1707, with the Portuguese Army engaged in the War of the Spanish Succession, King John V decreed a reform of the military organization. Within the scope of this reform, the paid terços were transformed in infantry regiments, with the designation of their commanding officers changed from mestres de campo to colonels. The change of designations

5184-713: The United States Army as one of its important logistical hubs for sending military equipment between the United States and Europe. The American military said it would return to using this port over the next few years, reinforcing military cooperation between the two countries. Between April and June 2024, the Portuguese Navy's submarine NRP Arpão included military personnel from the United States, Canada and Denmark in its crew during several surveillance operations on Russian ships, having even sailed under Arctic ice.  In addition to surveillance missions,

5328-567: The artillery , in 1449, the role of Vedor-Mor da Artilharia (Superintendent of the Artillery) is established by King Afonso V , with the responsibility for the procurement and conservation of the artillery. After a number of previous failed attempts, King Sebastian established the foundations of a standing army , with the creation of the Ordenanças in 1570. The Ordenanças was a militia -type territorial organization aimed to provide

5472-736: The conquest of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415. Organization of the Portuguese military developed during the Middle Ages, leading to a more complex structure and the consequent creation of new command offices. Thus, in 1383, the office of Constable of Portugal was created, replacing the Alferes-Mor as the head of the military. The Constable was assisted by the Marshal of Portugal. Other Portuguese important military offices that existed were those of fronteiro-mor (theatre commander of

5616-530: The terço (modeled after the Spanish tercio ) as its main infantry formation. In 1578, for the Moroccan campaign, four provincial terços were raised through the Ordenanças system, another one was drawn from young nobles volunteers and a further three were made up of foreign mercenaries. Each of these terços was made of 12 companies and around 3000 men ( pikemen , arquebusiers and musketeers ), under

5760-561: The "Royalist Army". The Liberals raised the so-called "Liberator Army", made up mainly of newly raised units, but also incorporating some units of the regular Army that passed to their side. Both the Miguelite and the Liberal armies were referred as the "Rebel Army" by their respective opponents. The war ended formally on 26 May 1834, with the capitulation of Michael I in the Concession of Evoramonte . Miguelites partisans continued, however,

5904-655: The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas , which stipulated that the Portuguese were only allowed to set up colonies in the Old World (aside from Brazil , which the treaty failed to account for), leaving the New World open to Spanish colonization . Despite the lack of colonies, a small number of Portuguese individuals did settle in North America prior to the 19th century. Unlike other European colonial powers such as France and Spain , Portugal did not intervene on behalf of

Lajes Field - Misplaced Pages Continue

6048-519: The 16 national legions for the defense of Lisbon (each with three battalions) and a number of Ordenanças artillery companies for the garrison of fortresses, these being mainly employed in the Lines of Torres Vedras . The Portuguese Royal Court and Government install themselves in Brazil from 1808, with Rio de Janeiro becoming the de facto capital of the Portuguese Empire. In 1815, Brazil

6192-589: The 25 comarcas . This system of forces – approved by the Portuguese Cortes (Parliament) in 1642 – had one of the most advanced organizations of the time, including three lines or classes of troops. The organization of the forces established at this time would remain almost unchanged until the disbandment of the Army in 1837, after the end of the Civil War. The first line was made up of the paid troops (professional troops), which included terços of infantry and independent companies of horse ( cuirassiers and carabineers ). The paid infantry soldiers were recruited among

6336-489: The Achada airfield was condemned due to its inadequate dimensions and adverse weather conditions, resulting in the construction of a landing strip of packed earth and a small group of support facilities by the Portuguese military at Lajes. During World War II , the designation of the airfield was changed to Air Base No.4 and the Portuguese government expanded the runway, sending troops and equipment to Terceira, including Gloster Gladiator fighters. The military activities in

6480-418: The Americas, that would form the Portuguese Empire . Among these many campaigns were the wars for the control of Morocco , the wars with the Ottoman Empire for the control of India and the Indian Ocean, the war with the Persian Empire for the control of the Persian Gulf and participation in the Abyssinian–Adal war in support of the Ethiopian Empire . The role of the ground forces was more important in

6624-415: The Arms of the Kingdom was created to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Army, at the same time presiding over the Council of War. Under the Captain-General, there was a military territorial organization that included a general officer governor of arms for each of the six provinces (Entre-Douro e Minho, Trás-os-Montes, Beira, Estremadura, Alentejo and Algarve) and under them, a military governor for each of

6768-407: The Atlantic Ocean. Some of the tanker units left Lajes by 1965, but others returned later, especially the USAF Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker . This transfer, coupled with the introduction of newer long-range aircraft, resulted in a gradual decline in Lajes traffic. The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and its successor, the Military Airlift Command (MAC), became responsible for USAF activities at

6912-454: The Azores grew in 1942, as the Gladiators began to be used to support allied convoys, in reconnaissance missions and on meteorological flights. In addition, the first Portuguese Junkers Ju 52 arrived in July 1942 to fly cargo missions. By 1943, the British and American armed forces were allowed basing rights in Portugal. Within a month of disembarking on Terceira in October 1943, the Royal Air Force had laid pierced steel planking to lengthen

7056-689: The Azores , with the remainder mostly coming from Madeira and Cape Verde , with very few of them coming from the Portuguese mainland. Most of these Portuguese immigrants settled in New England and ended up working in the whaling industry. The involvement of Portuguese immigrants in the whaling trade also led Portuguese American communities to spring up in the San Francisco Bay Area in California and in Hawaii (see also Portuguese immigration to Hawaii ). Some Portuguese immigrants settled in cities further inland, such as Springfield, Illinois . Today, there are over one million Americans of Portuguese descent. While prolific in some areas, Portuguese immigration

7200-422: The Azores Summit, where on March 16, 2003, Spanish Prime Minister, José María Aznar , UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair , President of the United States George W. Bush , and Prime Minister of Portugal, José Manuel Durão Barroso discussed the invasion of Iraq. The Portuguese Marine Corps of the Portuguese Navy together with the United States Marine Corps , has carried out several joint military exercises in

7344-457: The Azores before flying to their final destination at Port Lyautey (Kenitra), French Morocco . From their base with Fleet Air Wing 15 at Port Lyautey, the blimps of USN Blimp Squadron 14 (ZP-14 or Blimpron 14) conducted night-time anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to search for German U-boats around the Strait of Gibraltar using magnetic anomaly detection (MAD). In 1945, two ZP-14 replacement blimps were sent from Weeksville, North Carolina, to

SECTION 50

#1732787140798

7488-438: The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces for the operational matters and a direct subordinate of the Ministry of National Defense for all other matters. The CEME is the only officer in the Army with the rank of General ( Four-star rank ). Presently, the Portuguese Army is an entirely professional force made of career personnel ( officers and NCOs ) and of volunteer personnel (officers, NCOs and enlisted ranks ). Until

7632-410: The Dutch invaders not only from Brazil, but also constituted the bulk of the expedition to Africa that expelled the Dutch from São Tomé Island and from Angola , restoring Portuguese sovereignty in those territories. In the early 18th century, the Portuguese Army participated in the War of the Spanish Succession on the side of the Grand Alliance forces. In the middle of the century, it took part in

7776-430: The Expeditionary Division to Algarve, the Staff of the Azores Division, the staffs of the two foreign brigades, the Queens Own Lancers Regiment (British), the Navy's Regiment (British), the Queen's Own Grenadiers Regiment (Irish), the Scottish Fusiliers Battalion (British), the British Volunteers Battalion (British), and the 1st and 2nd Queen's own light infantry regiments (mainly French and Belgians). The transformation of

7920-414: The Great of Russia to protect neutral shipping, which was often interrupted and seized by the Royal Navy during the war. While the Portuguese military did not participate in the war, some of the aforementioned Portuguese settlers in the Thirteen Colonies did fight, such as the "Virginia Giant" Peter Francisco , a soldier of the Continental Army who was born in the Azores . In 1791, Portugal became

8064-484: The Legion of Light Troops and a second artillery regiment. The existing line infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments were kept, but became numbered instead of being designated after their garrison places or the name of their commanding officers as they were previously. Lisbon's inhabitants also became eligible to be drafted for the Militias, with two regiments being created in the city (the regiments of Royal Volunteers of Foot Militias of Eastern and Western Lisbon). The Army

8208-407: The Liberal forces landed at Mindelo (near Oporto) in July 1832 – initiating the campaign in Mainland Portugal – they included more than 7000 men, most of them being foreigners. By July 1833, the Liberator Army included the Imperial Staff, the inspections generals of the Cavalry, Engineers and Artillery branches, the governments of arms of the Douro Province and of the fortresses of Oporto, the staffs of

8352-411: The Liberal regime raised the new National Guard. The NatioGuard was however not part of the Army, being instead subordinated to the civil administrative authorities. Despite the new regime initially given a high importance, the National Guard turned out to show herself inefficient, undisciplined and highly politicized, being involved in a number of conspiracies and coups, eventually losing the confidence of

8496-416: The Liberator Army into the new Portuguese Army occurred by the organization established in July 1834. By this organization, the Army included the General Staff, the Staff Corps, the Engineering Corps (including a staff and the Sappers Battalion), the Artillery Corps (including a grand staff and two regiments), six regiments of cavalry, 12 regiments of infantry, four regiments of light infantry or caçadores and

8640-419: The Liberator Army. The Militias and Ordenanças were also expressly extinguished, thus ending the traditional Portuguese military territorial organization originated in the 16th century. This extinction was mainly related with political reasons, as those organizations were considered traditionalists and far aligned with the Miguelites. To serve as second-line troops, partially replacing the previous organizations,

8784-916: The National Institute of Statistics, in 2022 the USA was the 4th customer of Portuguese exports , with a share of 7% of the total, and occupied the 8th position in terms of imports (3.28% of the total). In 2021, the value of Portuguese exports to the United States was 4,490 million dollars and that of imports reached 2,340 million dollars. Most of the products exported by Portugal to the United States of America are chemical products, mineral fuels, machinery, plastics and rubber, electronical equipment, textile materials, wood and cork, common metals and minerals, and ores. Conversely, groups of products made up of mineral fuels, agricultural products, machinery and apparatus, vehicles and other transport material, chemical products, plastics and rubber, optical and precision instruments, and common metals stand out in terms of American exports to Portugal. The Government of Portugal

SECTION 60

#1732787140798

8928-425: The Navy . Each of these regiments (with exception of the foreign regiment) corresponded to a specific district from where their soldiers were recruited. In 1790, Queen Maria I decreed the creation of the Academia Real de Fortificação, Artilharia e Desenho (Royal Academy of Fortification, Artillery and Drawing), in Lisbon , for the higher education and training of the Army officers. The main purpose of this Academy

9072-409: The Portuguese Army in disarray. Under French occupation, the Army was disbanded and its most important units were integrated into the Portuguese Legion raised by order of Napoleon , that would fight for him in the campaigns of Germany, Austria and Russia . Reconstituted and integrated into the Anglo-Portuguese Army , led by the British General Arthur Wellesley , the Portuguese Army performed well in

9216-420: The Portuguese Army, including the lack of light infantry troops. This led to the inclusion of a caçadores (light infantry) company in each of the infantry regiments and the raising of the elite Legion of Light Troops in 1796. This Legion was an experimental all-arms unit, that included an infantry battalion (occasionally referred as caçadores ), three cavalry squadrons (occasionally referred as hussars ) and

9360-423: The Portuguese Crown by Philip II of Spain in 1580, consolidated after the defeat of the Portuguese resistance, led by António of Portugal , in the War of the Portuguese Succession . These events originated the 60-year-long Iberian Union , period in which the interests of Portugal became subordinated to those of Spain, causing a sharp decline in its economical, political and social might. With Portugal subject to

9504-428: The Portuguese General Carlos Lecor ) on 8 March 1824. With the presence of the Royal Court and of a high number of Portuguese Army officers that accompanied it, the military organization of Brazil is developed, with its ground forces now being frequently referred as the " Army of Brazil " (while the Portuguese Army in Europe was referred as the "Army of Portugal" or the "Army of the Kingdom"). The Army of Brazil would be

9648-404: The Portuguese Minister of National Defence, José Alberto Azeredo Lopes and the Ambassador of the United States in Portugal, Robert A. Sherman , signed a new deal to strengthen cooperation in search and rescue missions in North part of Atlantic Ocean. On the US side, maritime and air search and rescue will be the responsibility of the United States Coast Guard , on the Portuguese side it will be

9792-406: The Royal Police Guard of Oporto , the Royal Corps of Engineers, the Queens Own Volunteers Regiment, the National Volunteers (one national corps on horse, five national mobile battalions, two national fix battalions, four provisional battalions and one public employees battalion), the Royal Arsenal of the Army, the Ouro Train, the Oporto Veterans (two companies), the Military General Depot, the Staff of

9936-429: The Salazar Government's dictatorial rule over Portugal. In 1961, the Portuguese Air Force EICAP (heavy aircraft advanced training unit) was transferred to Lajes, operating Douglas C-47 , Douglas C-54 and later CASA C-212 Aviocar . During the Portuguese Colonial War , from 1961 to 1975, the Air Force Hospital at Lajes operated as the main centre for treatment and rehabilitation of mutilated and heavy burned soldiers of

10080-420: The Spanish Army invaded Portugal with the aid of France, with the Portuguese Army facing the invaders in the War of Oranges . The refusal from Portugal to antagonize Britain, its old ally, and to adhere to the Continental System , led to the start of the Peninsular War , with the French Army invading Portugal in 1807. The French invasion obliged the strategic transference of the Portuguese Crown to Brazil and put

10224-417: The Spanish kings, the early 17th century was a period of neglect of the Portuguese military. Portuguese forces were mobilized to fight for Spain in its campaigns in several theatres. By contrast, almost no military support was received from Spain for the defense of the Portuguese Empire, which came under successive attacks by Spain's enemies, in particular the English and the Dutch. As a result, Portugal suffered

10368-699: The U.S. as well as obtain military equipment for the Portuguese Armed Forces, including two A-7P Corsair II squadrons and the co-finance of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft under the Peace Atlantis I program. In August 2010, Portuguese news agencies advised for the termination of the F-22 Raptor plan to use Lajes as a platform for Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) training over the Atlantic Ocean. DoD sources were cited as

10512-461: The United States access to Montijo Air Base and several ports. Portugal was also, along with the United States, one of the founding members of NATO . Portugal defines itself as "Atlanticist" emphasizing its support for strong European ties with the United States, particularly on defense and security issues. The Government of Portugal has been a key ally in US, supporting efforts in Iraq, and hosting

10656-599: The United States and NATO's war fighting capability. In addition, a small commercial aviation terminal handles scheduled and chartered flights from North America and Europe, especially mainland Portugal. It also supervises commercial air traffic with the other islands in the Azorean archipelago and trans-Atlantic refuelling and stopovers for commercial airlines, executive and corporate jets, air cargo haulers, small private aircraft, governmental flights, humanitarian missions, and other flights. Azores Aerial Detachment: Lajes Field

10800-550: The United States during the American Revolutionary War . This was because of the aforementioned lack of Portuguese colonies in North America and also because of the historic alliance between Portugal and Britain, dating back to the 14th century . Portugal remained neutral throughout the conflict, eventually joining the First League of Armed Neutrality , a league of European states organized by Catherine

10944-594: The access to the Army School and also to the Naval School . Portugal%E2%80%93United States relations Portugal–United States relations are bilateral relations between Portugal and the United States. Despite various attempts to set up colonies in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia , the Kingdom of Portugal never held any long-lasting or significant colonies in North America due to

11088-684: The agreement was signed. By the end of June 1944, more than 1,900 American airplanes had passed through this Azorean base. Using Lajes Field, the flying time relative to the usual transatlantic route between Brazil and West Africa was nearly cut in half from 70 to 40 hours. Lajes Field was one of the two stopover and refueling bases for the first transatlantic crossing of non-rigid airships (blimps) in 1944. The USN sent six Goodyear -built K-ships from Naval Air Station South Weymouth in Massachusetts to their first stopover base at Naval Station Argentia , Newfoundland and then on to Lajes Field in

11232-692: The area. On 1 December 1943, British and U.S. military representatives at RAF Lajes Field signed a joint agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and United States Navy (USN) at Lajes Field. The agreement established guidelines and limitations for the ferrying of aircraft to Europe via Lajes Field. In return, the US agreed to assist the British in improving and extending existing facilities at Lajes. Air Transport Command transport planes began landing at Lajes Field immediately after

11376-587: The authorities and be disbanded in 1847. As early as 1835, the new organized Army sends an expeditionary division to Spain, to support the Spanish liberals and their Queen Isabel II, in the Carlist War . For several years, the Portuguese Army would also be involved in a number of internal civil conflicts that erupted as remnants of the Liberal Wars. These included the Revolution of Maria da Fonte and

11520-408: The auxiliary troops were recruited among the orphans, farmers and married men, these only being paid if engaged in campaign. Its officers were taken from the paid troops. Initially, the auxiliary troops were organized in independent companies, several of which were grouped under the command of each of the 25 military governors of comarca . In 1661, the role of governor of comarca was disbanded, with

11664-686: The bad weather. Occasionally, for certain military campaigns, like the siege of Lisbon , the Portuguese forces were reinforced by Crusaders from the Northern Europe, who happened to be passing by the Portuguese coasts, on their way to the Holy Land . With the resettling of the territories conquered to the Moors and the establishment of new towns and municipalities , these increased their contribution of municipal contingents of horse ( cavaleiros vilãos ) and foot troops. The municipal military service

11808-439: The base, and for a while the 1605th Military Airlift Support Wing acted as USAF host unit. Lajes Field also played a crucial role in Cold War politics. From 1932 to 1968, Portugal was under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar , yet the U.S. Government maintained friendly relations with his Estado Novo government, especially after 1943. The Cold War military importance of Lajes Field outweighed considerations about

11952-709: The biennial Northern Viking exercise. Lajes Field services aircraft from various nations, including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela. The airfield was an alternative landing site for the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter and also now plays as the number one diversion airport for medical or mechanical emergency diversion situations for all types of aircraft. An annual average of 50 aircraft of all types divert to Lajes as

12096-404: The cadet sons of all classes, except orphans and farmers, while the soldiers of horse were recruited only among the cadet sons of the nobles, and usually volunteered to serve for six years. The officers were all recruited among the nobles. Initially, 10 paid terços were raised, besides the already existing terço of the Navy . With the course of the war, additional paid terços were raised, with

12240-599: The campaigns of Morocco, that were fought mainly on land. A great part of the other overseas campaigns occurred at sea and so were led by the Portuguese Navy , but the ground forces had also an important role as boarding forces during naval battles and as landing forces in amphibious operations. In Europe, Portuguese ground forces engaged in the War of the Castilian Succession . Reflecting the importance of

12384-472: The command of a brigadier . The auxiliary terços however remained with the same designation and organization until 1796, when these followed the model of the infantry of the line, being transformed into militia regiments. In the scope of the Fantastic War , the Army increased in size with the inclusion of two battalions of Swiss troops (latter merged into a single foreign regiment) and the raising of

12528-409: The command of a colonel . In respect of the Portuguese cavalry of the time, it included the acorbetados (heavy armored cavalry) and the ginetes (light cavalry). The advanced organization of the Portuguese forces, however, was not sufficient to avoid the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir with the death of the young and childless King Sebastian. His death soon led to the takeover of

12672-485: The companies of auxiliary troops being grouped into 25 auxiliary terços . Finally, the third line was made up of the rebuilt Ordenanças . These were intended to include all the eligible men of the country, serving as a recruitment depot to provide men to the first and second lines of the army. Besides the role of recruitment depots, its units could occasionally be actively employed in the garrison of fortresses or in local defense roles. The Ordenanças continued to follow

12816-696: The complete recapture of the Algarve . The Portuguese ground forces of that time were initially formed by military contingents provided by the landlords ( lords of the manors and of the Church ), called the mesnadas . Later, to these were added the knights of the military orders (initially the Knights Templars and later also the knights of the Hospital , of Saint James of the Sword and of Aviz ) and

12960-609: The court to Rio de Janeiro in 1810 and returned with it to Lisbon in 1822. The U.S. and Portugal fought together in the First Barbary War (1801–1805) against the Barbary corsairs in an effort to reduce piracy and disruption of trade on the Mediterranean Sea . Increased Portuguese immigration to the United States began in the early nineteenth century. Approximately 70 percent of these immigrants came from

13104-484: The direction of Headquarters Azores Air Zone commanded by Portuguese Air Force brigadeiro (equal to a U.S. two-star general). In 1947, the Portuguese Esquadra 41 started to operate from Lajes, equipped with Boeing SB-17 , Grumman HU-16 Albatross , Douglas C-54 Skymaster and, later Sikorsky H-19 helicopters. In 1952, the U.S. Air Force activated the 57th Air Rescue Squadron at Lajes Field, where it

13248-419: The duration of the war. However, for merely tactical purposes, the companies of horse were occasionally grouped in temporary formations ( troços ), each under the command of a commissioner general (senior officer of cavalry). The second line was made up of the auxiliary troops that formed the reserve of the Army, being able to assume the same role as the troops of the first line, if necessary. The soldiers of

13392-408: The early 1990s, conscripts constituted the bulk of the Army personnel, with a cadre of career officers and NCOs responsible for their training. Conscription was however gradually reduced since the middle 1990s, until being finally formally abolished in 2004. As 2014, the Portuguese Army employed 5,667 career personnel and 10,444 volunteers, this representing a total of 16,111 military personnel. Of

13536-701: The elite 5th Caçadores Battalion, that had been deployed to garnish the Fortress of São João Baptista in Terceira island . In August 1829, these forces were able to win the Battle of Praia da Vitória , an attempt of the Miguelite Navy to disembark troops and retake Terceira island. The initial Liberal forces in Azores were soon joined by Liberals evaded from the Miguelite army, by exiled Liberal volunteers and by foreign volunteers and mercenaries (mainly French, English, Belgians, Polish, Irish and Scottish). When

13680-596: The final victory in 1668. At the same time, the Portuguese defeated the Dutch in a series of overseas campaigns, recovering most of its territories in Africa and South America. At the moment of the Restoration of Portuguese independence, the country's ground forces were reduced to around 2000 ill-equipped men. The Ordenanças had been neglected and virtually disappeared. A new military organization had then to be built. By this time, ground forces started to be referred to as

13824-521: The first neutral nation to establish diplomatic ties with the United States, leading to the arrival of an American legation headed by David Humphreys in Lisbon. Consular relations with the Portuguese island territories of Madeira and the Azores were established in 1790 and 1795 respectively. When the Portuguese court fled to Brazil during the Napoleonic Wars , the American legation followed

13968-466: The following international missions: The technical-military cooperation ( cooperação técnico-militar or CTM) are the military missions permanently maintained by Portugal in several members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries to train and support their national armed forces. Currently, the Portuguese Army maintains elements deployed in the following CTM missions: The Portuguese Army has

14112-490: The forces operating in a province), of Coudel-Mor (superintendent of the cavalry ) and of Anadel-Mor (superintendent of the shooters). The Anadel-Mor , by himself, superintended the commanders ( anadéis ) of the king's crossbowmen , of the horse crossbowmen and of the municipal crossbowmen. With the start of the maritime expansion of Portugal in the 15th century, the country's land forces focused on overseas campaigns intended to conquer new territories in Africa, Asia and

14256-549: The full implementation of the 1807 reorganization and left the Portuguese Army practically dismantled. The military resistance to invaders began to be carried away mainly by the initiative of the Militias and local Ordenanças , which launched a guerrilla war on the rearguard of the French forces, managing to cut their lines of communications and to isolate many of their units. A number of voluntary and irregular units were raised on

14400-662: The gradual stabilization of the Constitutional Monarchic regime after the Liberal Wars and with no imminent perceived immediate threats against the Portuguese European territory, the Army will focus on internal security duties and in the organizations of military expeditions to overseas. The first major re-organization of the Army after its transformation from the previous Liberator Army, occurred as soon as 1837. The cavalry started to be organized in eight regiments, of which four would be of lancers and

14544-892: The initiative of local military, administrative and even ecclesiastical authorities, including the Volunteers Regiment raised by the Governing Board of Portalegre , the Transtagana Legion raised by the corregedor of Beja and the Academic Battalion raised by the University of Coimbra . Another important voluntary unit, the Loyal Lusitanian Legion , was raised in England with Portuguese émigrés . In 1809, following

14688-529: The island or beyond as the central location in the Azores group of islands makes it an ideal spot for refuelling or stopover. In the past five years, large Antonov An-124 and An-225 aircraft have been seen frequently transporting outsized cargo for destinations in North and South America. Lajes provides support to 15,000 aircraft, including fighters from the US and 20 other allied nations. The geographic position has made this airbase strategically important to both

14832-508: The knights of the border towns. These contingents were collectively referred as the Hoste , which was under the supreme command of the Monarch, but who often delegated his command in the Alferes-Mor (High Standard-bearer). These forces also included bands of irregular riders ( latrones ) of some warlords , which attacked the moor fortresses by surprise, usually taken advante of the night or of

14976-614: The large airlift during the Gulf War . On the first day of the deployment over 90 aircraft transited Lajes. Strategic Air Command (SAC) created a provisional tanker wing , the 802nd Air Refueling Wing (P) Provisional, at Lajes to support the airlift. At the height of the operation a peak of 33 tanker aircraft and 600 troops deployed to Lajes. Soon after the Gulf War ended, Lajes command changed from Air Mobility Command , to Air Combat Command . In 1993, squadrons 503 and 752 are merged in

15120-655: The last few years, the Portuguese and American military have carried out several missions in Eastern Europe, namely in Romania and Lithuania . In 2023, Portuguese Paratroopers participated with the 82nd Airborne Division in the International Exercise "Operation Toy Drop 23", in Fort Liberty , North Carolina . At the end of the year, the portuguese Port of Setúbal began to be used by

15264-729: The last years. The annual Real Thaw military exercise of the Portuguese Air Force counts with the participation of the American Air Force since 2013. The United States Department of Defense has supported the last depolyments of Portuguese Army soldiers during the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, with 15 International MaxxPro and 7 Oshkosh M-ATV to protect the Kabul International Airport . Over

15408-755: The local Portuguese Viceroys and governors, who, as military commanders, had also the title of captains-generals. In the late 18th century, the larger contingents of first line troops were in Brazil (12 infantry regiments, three infantry regiments deployed from Portugal, three artillery regiments, one dragoon regiment, one cavalry regiment, the Viceroy Cavalry Guard and a Legion of Light Troops ), in India (two infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, one cavalry regiment and two legions of sepoys ) and in Angola (an infantry regiment, an artillery regiment and

15552-527: The military intendancy. The infantry regiments would form six brigades grouped in three divisions, the light infantry regiments would form two brigades grouped in a light division and the cavalry regiments would form three brigades. Each province continued to have a military governor, that commanded the troops stationed there and that were not assigned to a special purpose division. The artillery, cavalry, infantry and light infantry regiments would be numbered. Despite several of these regiments originated from units of

15696-556: The names of their garrison places) and the creation of four regiments of caçadores from the four battalions of caçadores that remained loyal to Michael. The first line of the Army thus included eight cavalry, 16 infantry, four caçadores and three artillery regiments, the Engineers Battalion and the Telegraph Corps. The Militias and Ordenanças were maintained with the previous organization, but were joined by

15840-699: The next coming months which, coupled with a shortage of spare parts from the manufacturer, led to such a low serviceable rate forcing the Portuguese Air Force to pull the Merlin from service in the Azores. The last Merlin flew back to Montijo on 19 March 2009. In order not to compromise the SAR mission, the Portuguese Air Force decided to reactivate the Puma fleet: in July 2008 a formation of four Puma helicopters made

15984-550: The number fixed at 20, after the end of the conflict. The terços were the equivalent of the regiments of most of the non-Iberian European armies. Each terço was commanded by a mestre de campo (equivalent to colonel), assisted by a sergeant-major and a staff, with 10 companies and around 2000 men ( pikemen , arquebusiers and musketeers ). Despite the existence of plans for the creation of regiments of horse, grouping several companies of horse, these were never implemented and these companies continued to be independent units through

16128-423: The number of U.S. Department of Defense aircraft to transit Lajes supporting the newly created AFRICOM . In August 2006, Portuguese news agencies reported that both governments were in discussions for a new agreement that could allow the use of Lajes for the training of a permanent F-22 Raptor squadron. Since 1943, the use of Lajes by the U.S. military has allowed Portugal to strengthen diplomatic relations with

16272-521: The organization established by King Sebastian, with their basic units being the companies of 250 men, grouped in captaincies. In the city of Lisbon, whose inhabitants were exempt from being draft for the auxiliary troops, the Ordenanças had a special organization, constituting five terços commanded by colonels. The Restoration War also obliged the incorporation of foreign troops into the Army. In 1641, these included eight French regiments (five of light cavalry , one of carabineers , one of dragoons and

16416-593: The origin of the present Brazilian Army . With the end of the Peninsular War, the Army of Brazil is reinforced with military contingents sent from Portugal, one of the most important of these being the Division of Royal Volunteers , commanded by General Carlos Lecor. This Division was originally raised, by the request of the Duke of Wellington , to integrate its army in the Waterloo Campaign , but ended instead to be sent to Brazil. From 1828 to 1834, occurred

16560-646: The other of infantry), two Dutch cavalry regiments, one Irish infantry regiment, one Scottish infantry regiment and one Italian infantry regiment. Military forces were also organized in the overseas territories of Portugal, especially in Brazil , where the European Portuguese military organization with three classes of troops was replicated, although with local adaptations. In Brazil, terços of whites , Native Americans and blacks were raised. The Brazilian colonial forces successfully defeated and expelled

16704-420: The others of caçadores a cavalo (mounted rifles). The infantry ceased to have regiments and become organized in 30 independent battalions, of which 10 would be of caçadores (numbered 6 to 25) and the others would be of line infantry (numbered 1 to 5 and 26 to 30). The artillery started to include four regiments, one of which was of horse and mounted artillery and the others were of garrison artillery. In 1837,

16848-399: The plan cancelled due to budgetary constraints. This was regarded locally as a setback for the military environment at Lajes, as well as raising doubts from regional political forces who have concerns regarding the base future as well as the safety of the Azorean employed workforce. Portugal has explored contingencies in the event the United States military eventually abandons Lajes, including

16992-528: The possibility of entering an agreement with the People's Republic of China . On June 27, 2012, an airplane carrying Premier Wen Jiabao made a four-hour stop at Lajes during which time he toured the island. On 13 December 2012, the US Department of Defense announced, as part of a larger Air Force effort to shape the force, that Lajes Field will transition from an air base wing to an air base group with

17136-562: The previous Liberator Army, they received numbers identical to those once used by the old disbanded regiments to whom they were not related. Besides the previous referred corps and units, the Army also included the fortresses staffs, the secretariats, the academies, the Military College , the arsenals and trains, the Telegraph Corps, training depots, the Veterinary School, veterans, invalids and fortress garrisons. After

17280-686: The region. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact , and end of the Cold War, P-3 operations at Lajes declined, and the Naval Air Facility was inactivated in the late 1990s. Following the Portuguese Air Force reorganization of 1978, Lajes Air Base comes to have two resident flying units: Squadron 503 - equipped with CASA C-212 aircraft and Squadron 752 - equipped with Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopters. In 1980,

17424-564: The remainder of the Peninsular War. The first major battle of the Anglo-Portuguese Army was the Battle of Bussaco in 1810, the success of which gave the inexperienced Portuguese troops confidence in their abilities. The infantry and artillery went on to perform well up until the final Battle of Toulouse in 1814 when news arrived of Napoleon's abdication. The experience from the Roussillon campaign highlighted some gaps in

17568-695: The responsibility of the Portuguese Navy and Portuguese Air Force . Since the Carnation Revolution and the end of the Cold War, Portugal and the United States have remained close allies, fighting together in the NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina , the NATO intervention in Kosovo , the Iraq War , and the War in Afghanistan . The defense relationship between the United States and Portugal

17712-628: The rules inscribed in the AIP for Portugal, issued by the Portuguese Directorate of Civilian Aviation (INAC). Units based at Lajes Field. Those marked GSU and their subordinate units are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Lajes, report to a parent unit based at another location. US Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Air Mobility Command Portuguese Army The Portuguese Army ( Portuguese : Exército Português )

17856-529: The runway at Lajes Field, allowing the Royal Air Force to begin patrols. The first attack on a German U-boat was conducted in November, sinking the submarine; this attack was followed by a dozen more attacks on U-boats by the end of February 1944, after which German forces stayed clear of the British and American patrol areas. The Azores enabled British and American airmen to protect Allied shipping in

18000-404: The six Portuguese brigades, the civil departments of the Army (pay-office, health, military administration, general audit, catering, transports and permanent court-martial ), one cavalry regiment, seven line infantry regiments, four battalions of caçadores , the Artillery Staff, one artillery battalion, the Academic Artillerymen Volunteers Corps , the Artillerymen Conductors Company, the Corps of

18144-426: The summer of 1984, Lajes undertook a new mission known as " SILK PURSE ." Boeing EC-135s began operating out of Lajes Field as an airborne command post for the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Europe . Along with the aircraft came the U.S. European Command battle staff and flight crews from United States Air Forces in Europe. This mission was ended in late August 1991. In 1990, Squadron 303 was disbanded. Lajes supported

18288-407: The superior Brazilian forces, but with no perspectives of receiving reinforcements, the Portuguese garrison of Salvador, under the command of General Madeira de Melo , evacuated the city and embarked in a Portuguese naval squadron, sailing to Portugal in July 1823. The Portuguese garrison of Montevideo was the last to resist in Brazil, only surrendering to the Brazilian forces (ironically, commanded by

18432-411: The sybmarine also participated in the Noble Shield 24 and Operation Brilliant Shield exercises. Also military exercises between the Special Actions Detachment and the US Navy SEALS were held in 2024 in Eastern Europe . The United States of America stands out as one of Portugal's main trading partners and is Portugal's largest trading partner outside the European Union . According to data from

18576-687: The three services of the Portuguese Armed Forces. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War , Lajes Field also supported Operation Nickel Grass U.S. airlift missions to Israel, highlighting the importance of the U.S. Air Force base at Lajes. Another important Cold War operation at Lajes was the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Facility Lajes (NAF Lajes), a tenant activity at the air base. NAF Lajes, and its associated Tactical Support Center (TSC)/Antisubmarine Warfare Operations Center (ASWOC), supported rotational detachments of U.S. Navy P-2 Neptune and later P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft that would track Soviet attack, guided missile , and ballistic missile submarines in

18720-447: The total military personnel, 2,669 were officers, 3,917 were NCOs and 9,595 were other ranks. Further, the Army also included 1,897 civilian employees. The national deployed forces ( forças nacionais destacadas or FND) are units or teams deployed by the Portuguese Armed Forces in foreign missions, mostly in the scope of NATO , the United Nations or the European Union. Currently, the Portuguese Army maintains forces or elements deployed in

18864-428: The training of the officers of the Army in Brazil, this being considered the oldest engineering school of the Americas. At the end of the 18th century, Portugal joined in the Revolutionary Wars , when it sent an expeditionary army to aid Spain against the Revolutionary French in the War of the Pyrenees (Roussillon campaign) . However, Spain made a separate peace with France and turned itself against Portugal. In 1801,

19008-475: The trans-Atlantic crossing from Beja to Lajes via Porto Santo Airport on Porto Santo Island and Santa Maria Airport on Santa Maria Island . Beginning in 1997, large scale fighter aircraft movements under the new USAF operating concept known as the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) filled the Lajes flightline. Lajes also has hosted B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bomber aircraft on global air missions, and also supported many routine NATO exercises, such as

19152-424: The transformation of previous irregular voluntary units and of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion. Six of these battalions were raised in 1808 by order of Secretary Pereira Forjaz, with six additional ones being raised in 1811. The lack of experienced Portuguese officers was mitigated by the inclusion of a number of British officers in the several Army units, in a way that most of them had a Portuguese commanding officer and

19296-415: Was available for use by those countries, and the use of Lajes was one of Portugal's primary contributions to the alliance. However, use of Lajes Field by the U.S. Department of Defense takes place under a U.S.-Portuguese Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), separate and in addition to NATO arrangements. In 1953, Admiral Lynde D. McCormick , the Commander-in-Chief , United States Atlantic Command organized

19440-416: Was based until inactivated in 1972. These units were responsible for the search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Atlantic between Europe and North America. In 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military alliance was established. Portugal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other western European countries were charter members of NATO. By reason of the NATO alliance, Lajes

19584-488: Was caused by the United States declaring its support for these independence movements, a move which greatly angered the Portuguese government. Following the Portuguese Colonial War , Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau all gained independence. The revolution brought down the dictatorial Estado Novo regime that had ruled over Portugal since 1933, beginning the country's peaceful transition towards democracy and allowing Portuguese-U.S. relations to be repaired. In 2017

19728-412: Was comparatively tiny when compared with the large number of German and Irish immigrants that came to the United States. The Portuguese government favored the Union during the American Civil War , providing assistance to the Union Navy during the conflict. Due to settling primarily in New England, most Portuguese Americans were Union soldiers. In 1911, the United States declared its support of

19872-403: Was established so that each Ordenança brigade would cover an identical population and would be responsible for the raising of a line infantry and two militia regiments. Each grand division then included eight line infantry regiments (grouped in four brigades), four cavalry regiments, one artillery regiment, eight militia regiments and four Ordenanças brigades. The South Division included further

20016-560: Was mainly done to match the names of the Portuguese units and military ranks with those of the foreign allied armies, following the standard designations used in most of Europe. By this time, each infantry regiment was tactically organized as single battalion , with a staff and 12 companies, one of these being of grenadiers . The new military organization also presaged the creation of regiments of cavalry and dragoons. Artillery regiments would also be formed later. The regiments of infantry, cavalry and dragoons were grouped in brigades , each under

20160-410: Was raised in Lisbon and added to the Army. The transference of the Portuguese Government and Crown to Brazil meant that some of the most important military officers were also transferred. Most of the remaining more experienced officers and best units of the Army were ordered by the French occupant authorities to form the Portuguese Legion and sent to France to fight for Napoleon. These events suspended

20304-417: Was reached between the U.S. and Portuguese governments giving the U.S. military rights to Lajes Field for an additional 18 months: the relationship between the Portuguese and American governments continues to this day, where the U.S. military resides under a tenancy status, and the Portuguese government retaining rights of ownership to the land and infrastructure. Lajes Field remains Portuguese Air Base 4 under

20448-475: Was regulated, with the establishment of a defensive service ( apelido ), an offensive service ( fossado ) and the possibility of the replacement of the presential military service by the payment of special taxes ( fossadeira ). In the 14th century, the Portuguese troops defeated Castilian invaders , obtaining a definitive victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. With the independence guaranteed, Portugal then began its worldwide overseas expansion, starting by

20592-482: Was the training of engineer officers , but it also the trained officers of the other branches of the Army. It replaced a number of previous military academies that had existed since the 17th century, being the direct ancestor of the present Portuguese Military Academy . Besides the Army in Europe, the armies of the Crown of Portugal also included military forces and garrisons in the Portuguese Overseas territories. These forces formed separate organizations subordinated to

20736-474: Was then to be composed of 24 infantry, 12 cavalry, four artillery and 48 militias regiments, the Legion of Light Troops, the 24 Ordenanças brigades, the Army military corps (Army Staff, Engineers, Fortresses Staff, Fortress fixed garrisons, Guides and Artificiers) and the Army civil corps (Treasury, Hospitals, Hospital Guardianship, Transportation and Army Police ). Shortly afterwards, a militia cavalry regiment (the Regiment of Royal Volunteers of Horse Militias)

#797202