Beja Airbase
Encyclopedia
Beja Air Base designated as Air Base No. 11 is one of the most important military airbase in Portugal
near the city of Beja, 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) north of Algarve. It is used by the Portuguese Air Force
and has two parallel runways in the 01/19 direction, the biggest being 3,500 meters long and 60 meters wide. The base is home to two training squadrons, one helicopter squadron and one maritime patrol
squadron.
, due to airspace limitations within West Germany
. Until 1993 it was used particularly for weapons training, and in 1987 the Portuguese Air Force's 103 Squadron
using Lockheed T-33
and Northrop T-38
aircraft was relocated from Montijo
. After their arrival, the base started to host a mixed array of fixed and rotary-wing trainers, as well as maritime patrol
aircraft.
s of the 103 Squadron which currently has operational 15 aircraft. The 552nd Squadron operates 12 Alouette III helicopters tasked with tactical transport for the army, helicopter pilot training and occasional search and rescue
. The Alouette helicopters made a total of 314,000 flight hours and are due to be replaced by Agusta AW109 or Eurocopter Colibri
by 2011. The 601st Squadron currently uses 7 P-3 Orion
aircraft which provide 24/7 search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare
cover.
Currently, construction of a civilian terminal is underway at Beja, the airport specifically aiming at low cost carriers.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
near the city of Beja, 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) north of Algarve. It is used by 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...
and has two parallel runways in the 01/19 direction, the biggest being 3,500 meters long and 60 meters wide. The base is home to two training squadrons, one helicopter squadron and one maritime patrol
Maritime patrol
Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....
squadron.
History
The base was established on 21 October 1964, originally built to serve as a training facility for the LuftwaffeLuftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
, due to airspace limitations within West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
. Until 1993 it was used particularly for weapons training, and in 1987 the Portuguese Air Force's 103 Squadron
103 Squadron (Portugal)
The 103 Squadron "Caracóis" 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 and Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem de Aviões de Combate...
using Lockheed T-33
T-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 Northrop T-38
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....
aircraft was relocated from Montijo
Montijo, Portugal
Montijo is a town in Montijo Municipality in Portugal.The town has a population of 25,719.-References:...
. After their arrival, the base started to host a mixed array of fixed and rotary-wing trainers, as well as maritime patrol
Maritime patrol
Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....
aircraft.
Current state
The base is now modern and well-equipped, employing around 1,000 personnel. It comprises two parallel runways running north/south (01L/19R, 19L/01R), the largest being 3450 metres (11,318.9 ft) in length and the other 2951 metres (9,681.8 ft) long. A third parallel runway/taxiway supports its helicopter facilities. Beja Air Base is one of the most important training facilities of the Portuguese Air Force and during 2008 operated over 70,000 flying hours. The first training phase comprises flying on Socata TB 30 Epsilon aircraft, while the final course is made on Alpha JetAlpha Jet
Alpha Jet has the following meanings:* Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, an advanced trainer aircraft* Freight trains on the Alphabet Route* αjet, Helios Airways name after rebranding...
s of the 103 Squadron which currently has operational 15 aircraft. The 552nd Squadron operates 12 Alouette III helicopters tasked with tactical transport for the army, helicopter pilot training and occasional search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
. The Alouette helicopters made a total of 314,000 flight hours and are due to be replaced by Agusta AW109 or Eurocopter Colibri
Eurocopter Colibri
The Eurocopter EC120 Colibri is a 5-seat, single-engine, single main rotor, light helicopter. Jointly designed and developed by Eurocopter, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation , Harbin Aviation Industries Ltd and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd at Eurocopter France's...
by 2011. The 601st Squadron currently uses 7 P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
aircraft which provide 24/7 search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
cover.
Currently, construction of a civilian terminal is underway at Beja, the airport specifically aiming at low cost carriers.
Tenant units
Portuguese Air ForcePortuguese 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...
- 101 Sqn. "Roncos" (Roars) — elementary and basic flying training
- 103 Sqn. "Caracóis" (Snails) — complementary flying training and operational transition training
- 552 Sqn. "Zangões" (Drones) — tactical air transport operations and complementary flying training in helicopters
- 601 Sqn. "Lobos" (Wolves) — maritime patrol squadron