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103 Squadron (Portugal)
Encyclopedia
The 103 Squadron "Caracóis" (Esquadra 103) is a jet
advanced training squadron
of the Portuguese Air Force
. Prior to 1978, the "Caracóis" also received following designations: 22 Squadron, Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem (EICP) and Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem de Aviões de Combate (EICPAC).
and operational transition training.
and later that same year with the delivery of the first jet fighters, the F-84G Thunderjet
, in service with the Portuguese Air Force
(PoAF). These aircraft were assigned to then-Air Base No. 2 (BA2), Ota
, to equip the first jet fighter squadron, the 20 Squadron. That same year a new Flight
(Esquadrilha de Voo sem Visibilidade, VSV) was created and integrated in the 20 Squadron to train in the flight by instruments and the operational conversion on a twin-seen jet of the new pilots for the single-seat F-84. With the formation of a second jet fighter squadron, the 21 Sqn., in 1954, the VSV Flight became more independent.
In 1955, the 22 Squadron, the third squadron of the 201st Operational Group of Air Base No. 2, was created and equipped with the totality of the existing T-33 fleet and a small detachment of F-84G — resulting in the T-33A being finally assigned to an independent squadron of its own. The primary mission of this squadron was to provide the conversion and transition training for jet fighters to pilots who had experience with conventional aircraft, like the F-47D Thunderbolt
and SB2C Helldiver
. This training consisted of about 40 hours of flight in basic flying, acrobatic flying, formation, flight by instruments, navigation, and night flight, and also the conversion to the F-84G before the pilots were assigned to an operational fighter squadron.
In 1956, with the complete conversion of the pilots of the last conventional fighter squadron, the 22 Sqn. mission was changed from the conversion of pilots to jet fighters, to the instruction of pilots, thus adopting the new designation of Pilot Complementary Instruction Squadron .
On August, 1957, the squadron was then transferred to then-Air Base No. 3 (BA3) and assigned to the PoAF's Directorate of Instruction (DINST). The trainee-pilots where then transferred directly from the Pilot Basic Instruction Squadron , which was equipped with the T-6 Texan
. The training in T-33A also was changed from 40 to 80 hours of flight and trips of navigation instruction to other countries were added.
On December, due to logistic-administrative reasons, the EICP adopted the designation of Combat Aircraft Piloting Complementary Instruction Squadron , so that the subsidy of operational pilots in jet aircraft was also attributed to the squadron's instructors, also adding to the instruction subsidy.
On September, 1960, the squadron was transferred back to Ota, and with the disbandment of the 20 and 21 Squadrons, the totality of the F-84G fleet was also assigned to EICPAC. This resulted in the squadron being organized in two independent Flights, having only the command of the squadron as common between them. The T-33 Flight continued with the mission of complementary instruction while the F-84 Flight had as mission the operational conversion of pilots for the F-86F Sabre
. However, with the beginning of the conflict in Africa
, the F-84 were transferred to new squadrons in the colonies, along with many of its pilot-instructors.
On November, 1974, the squadron was transferred to Air Base No. 5
, in Monte Real
; by then with more than 90 hours of flight training.
In 1978, with the organic restructure of the Air Force, the squadron's designation is changed to 103 Squadron, while not losing the previous designation of EICPAC)
During July, 1980, the 103 Sqn. starts to receive the T-38A Talon
, until then operated by the 201 Squadron. This resulted in the EICPAC being organized, by the second time, in two independent Flights. The T-38 Flight was dependent of the Operational Command (COFA) while the T-33 Flight continued under the command of the DINST.
In 1987, the 103 Squadron is transferred to Air Base No. 11, in Beja
. On January, 1990, the Operational Introduction Course is implemented in the T-38 Flight, to provide operational introduction to the pilots trained in the United States
, helping in their integration with the combat squadrons.
With the beginning of the retirement of the T-33 in 1988, the T-38 started replacing it in the main course of complementary instruction of combat aircraft. By 1991 the retirement of the T-33 was completed.
On June, 1993, the T-38 was retired and by November the 103 Squadron started its first course in the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet.
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
advanced training squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
of the Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
. Prior to 1978, the "Caracóis" also received following designations: 22 Squadron, Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem (EICP) and Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem de Aviões de Combate (EICPAC).
Roles and missions
Its primary mission is the complementary flying training on jet aircraftJet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
and operational transition training.
History
The origins of the 103 Squadron dates back to 1953 with the beginning of the operational service of the T-33A Shooting StarT-33 Shooting Star
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
and later that same year with the delivery of the first jet fighters, the F-84G Thunderjet
F-84 Thunderjet
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
, in service with the Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
(PoAF). These aircraft were assigned to then-Air Base No. 2 (BA2), Ota
Ota (Alenquer)
Ota is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Alenquer. It has a population of 1,198 inhabitants and a total area of 46.36 km².-Ota airport:...
, to equip the first jet fighter squadron, the 20 Squadron. That same year a new Flight
Flight (military unit)
A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. It usually comprises three to six aircraft, with their aircrews and ground staff; or, in the case of a non-flying ground flight, no aircraft and a roughly equivalent number of support personnel. In most usages,...
(Esquadrilha de Voo sem Visibilidade, VSV) was created and integrated in the 20 Squadron to train in the flight by instruments and the operational conversion on a twin-seen jet of the new pilots for the single-seat F-84. With the formation of a second jet fighter squadron, the 21 Sqn., in 1954, the VSV Flight became more independent.
In 1955, the 22 Squadron, the third squadron of the 201st Operational Group of Air Base No. 2, was created and equipped with the totality of the existing T-33 fleet and a small detachment of F-84G — resulting in the T-33A being finally assigned to an independent squadron of its own. The primary mission of this squadron was to provide the conversion and transition training for jet fighters to pilots who had experience with conventional aircraft, like the F-47D Thunderbolt
P-47 Thunderbolt
Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
and SB2C Helldiver
SB2C Helldiver
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a carrier-based dive bomber aircraft produced for the United States Navy during World War II. It replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless in US Navy service. Despite its size, the SB2C was much faster than the SBD it replaced...
. This training consisted of about 40 hours of flight in basic flying, acrobatic flying, formation, flight by instruments, navigation, and night flight, and also the conversion to the F-84G before the pilots were assigned to an operational fighter squadron.
In 1956, with the complete conversion of the pilots of the last conventional fighter squadron, the 22 Sqn. mission was changed from the conversion of pilots to jet fighters, to the instruction of pilots, thus adopting the new designation of Pilot Complementary Instruction Squadron .
On August, 1957, the squadron was then transferred to then-Air Base No. 3 (BA3) and assigned to the PoAF's Directorate of Instruction (DINST). The trainee-pilots where then transferred directly from the Pilot Basic Instruction Squadron , which was equipped with the T-6 Texan
T-6 Texan
The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
. The training in T-33A also was changed from 40 to 80 hours of flight and trips of navigation instruction to other countries were added.
On December, due to logistic-administrative reasons, the EICP adopted the designation of Combat Aircraft Piloting Complementary Instruction Squadron , so that the subsidy of operational pilots in jet aircraft was also attributed to the squadron's instructors, also adding to the instruction subsidy.
On September, 1960, the squadron was transferred back to Ota, and with the disbandment of the 20 and 21 Squadrons, the totality of the F-84G fleet was also assigned to EICPAC. This resulted in the squadron being organized in two independent Flights, having only the command of the squadron as common between them. The T-33 Flight continued with the mission of complementary instruction while the F-84 Flight had as mission the operational conversion of pilots for the F-86F Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
. However, with the beginning of the conflict in Africa
Portuguese Colonial War
The Portuguese Colonial War , also known in Portugal as the Overseas War or in the former colonies as the War of liberation , was fought between Portugal's military and the emerging nationalist movements in Portugal's African colonies between 1961 and 1974, when the Portuguese regime was...
, the F-84 were transferred to new squadrons in the colonies, along with many of its pilot-instructors.
On November, 1974, the squadron was transferred to Air Base No. 5
Monte Real Air Base
Monte Real Air Base 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...
, in Monte Real
Monte Real
Monte Real is a town and a parish in the municipality and District of Leiria. It covers an area of 12.23 km² and has a population of 2,778 people. Monte Real, which in English means Royal Mount, was once a municipality , before being anexed to Leiria municipality.Monte Real hosts an air base ....
; by then with more than 90 hours of flight training.
In 1978, with the organic restructure of the Air Force, the squadron's designation is changed to 103 Squadron, while not losing the previous designation of EICPAC)
During July, 1980, the 103 Sqn. starts to receive the T-38A Talon
T-38 Talon
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
, until then operated by the 201 Squadron. This resulted in the EICPAC being organized, by the second time, in two independent Flights. The T-38 Flight was dependent of the Operational Command (COFA) while the T-33 Flight continued under the command of the DINST.
In 1987, the 103 Squadron is transferred to Air Base No. 11, in Beja
Beja (Portugal)
Beja is a city in the Beja Municipality in the Alentejo region, Portugal. The municipality has a total area of 1,147.1 km² and a total population of 34,970 inhabitants. The city proper has a population of 21,658....
. On January, 1990, the Operational Introduction Course is implemented in the T-38 Flight, to provide operational introduction to the pilots trained in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, helping in their integration with the combat squadrons.
With the beginning of the retirement of the T-33 in 1988, the T-38 started replacing it in the main course of complementary instruction of combat aircraft. By 1991 the retirement of the T-33 was completed.
On June, 1993, the T-38 was retired and by November the 103 Squadron started its first course in the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet.
Aircraft
- F-84G Thunderjet 1955-1957 at Esquadra 22, 1960-1962 at EIPAC
- F-86F SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1956—1980) - T-33A Shooting StarT-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
(1953—1991)
RT-33A Shooting StarT-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
T-33AN Silver StarCanadair T-33|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* "Canada's Fab Four". Air Forces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK: Key Publishing Limited, August, 2003. ISSN 0955-7091.... - T-38A TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
(1980—1993) - Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet (1993—present)
- T-37C Tweet (1997—1998), flown by the aerobatic patrol Asas de PortugalAsas de PortugalThe Asas De Portugal is a flight demonstration team created in 1977 integrated with Esquadra 103 of the Portuguese Air Force. They are Portugal's national aerobatic flying team and fly two ex-Luftwaffe Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet...
Commanders
List of commanders of the 103 Squadron since the squadron's transference from Ota to Monte Real, in November 1974.- MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
PILAV Sérgio Carrilho da Silva Pinto (September, 1974 — January, 1975) - Captain PILAV José Arnaut Monroy (January, 1975 — June, 1975)
- Major PILAV José Vizela Cardoso (June, 1975 — January, 1979)
- Major PILAV Manuel Taveira Martins (January, 1979 — May, 1982)
- Major PILAV António Martins de Matos (May, 1982 — August, 1985)
- Major PILAV António Morgado (August, 1985 — November, 1987)
- Major PILAV José Ramos Tareco (November, 1987 — September, 1990)
- Major PILAV João Cordeiro (September, 1990 — June, 1992)
- Major PILAV António Afonso Allen Revez (July, 1992 — March, 1995)
- Major PILAV Joaquim Rodrigues Bentes (March, 1995 — September, 1997)
- Major PILAV Jorge Dias Teixeira (September, 1997 — September, 1998)
- Major PILAV Francisco da Costa Rovisco (September, 1998 — March, 1999)
- Major PILAV António Nascimento (March, 1999 — September, 2000)
- Major PILAV Teodorico Dias Lopes (September, 2000 — June, 2003)
- Major PILAV José Alves Gaspar (July, 2003 — February, 2006)
- Major PILAV Rui de Jesus Romão (February, 2006 — May, 2007)
- Major PILAV João Nunes Vicente (May, 2007 — present)
See also
- Flight military unitFlight (military unit)A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. It usually comprises three to six aircraft, with their aircrews and ground staff; or, in the case of a non-flying ground flight, no aircraft and a roughly equivalent number of support personnel. In most usages,...
- Phases of aircraft training
- Portuguese Air ForcePortuguese Air ForceThe Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
- 20 Squadron
- 101 Squadron
- 102 Squadron
- Asas de PortugalAsas de PortugalThe Asas De Portugal is a flight demonstration team created in 1977 integrated with Esquadra 103 of the Portuguese Air Force. They are Portugal's national aerobatic flying team and fly two ex-Luftwaffe Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet...
External links
- 103 Squadron information at the Portuguese Air Force official website
- 103 Squadron official website
- List of commanders of the 103 Squadron