301 Squadron (Portugal)

Last updated
301 Squadron
Esquadra 301
Portuguese Air Force, Lockheed Martin F-16A Block 20 MLU, 15113 (35801034836).jpg
Portuguese Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16A Block 20 MLU
Active1978
CountryFlag of Portugal.svg  Portugal
Branch Air Force
Air Base Air Base 6 (1978–1993)
Air Base 11 (1993–2005)
Air Base 5 (2005–present)
Nickname(s)Jaguares (Jaguars)
Motto(s)De nada a forte gente se temia (The Strong People Nothing Feared)
Mascot(s) Jaguar
Commanders
Current
commander
Maj. Duarte Freitas
Insignia
BadgeJaguar's head
Aircraft flown
Attack Alpha Jet (1993–2005)
Fighter Fiat G-91 (1978–1993)
F-16 Fighting Falcon

The 301 Squadron "Jaguares" (Esquadra 301) is a fighter squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF).

Contents

Roles and missions

The 301 Squadron has the mission of executing operations of air defense and conventional attack in all-weather conditions.

History

Activated with the designation 301 Squadron in 1978, the origins of the "Jaguares" squadron dates back to the former Portuguese Air Force squadrons that operated the Fiat G-91 Gina between 1965 and 1993. During the Portuguese Colonial War these squadrons executed more than 13,000 operational missions, with five aircraft having been shot down by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) and surface-to-air missiles (SAM).

In August 1974, in the post-revolution period, the transfer of the Fiat G-91 aircraft from Air Base 5, in Monte Real, and of all air bases in the Portuguese African colonies to Air Base 6, in Montijo was initiated. The 62 Squadron was then created to operate the Fiat G-91.

With the reorganization of the Air Force's aerial units, in 1978, the squadron's designation was changed to 301 Squadron, thus assigning as its primary mission the execution of operations of close air support (CAS), air interdiction (IA) and tactical air reconnaissance, as well as its secondary mission the execution of actions of tactical air support for maritime operations (TASMO) and of air defense operations (DCA).

On June 27, 1993, with the last flight of the Fiat G-91 in service with the Portuguese Air Force, and the subsequent retirement of this aircraft, as well the recent restructuring of the PoAF, the 301 Squadron was transferred to Air Base 11, in Beja, having been equipped with the ground-attack aircraft Alpha Jet A. This aircraft's first flight was conducted on October 6, 1993, by of Major Lopes da Silva.

During the joint exercise COMAO (Composite Air Operations), on September 5, 2005, the 301 Squadron reached the 20,000 flight hours with its Alpha Jet fleet. Shortly after, on November 20, 2005, the "Jaguares" conducted their last operation flight with the Alpha Jet.

On November 25, 2005, the 301 Squadron was transferred to Air Base 5, in Monte Real, and equipped with the modernized F-16 MLU, being the first flight squadron of the Portuguese Air Force to operate exclusive this version of the fighter.

Aircraft

Achievements

Deployments

Exercises

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat G.91</span> Italian jet fighter-bomber aircraft

The Fiat G.91 is a jet fighter aircraft designed and built by the Italian aircraft manufacturer Fiat Aviazione, which later merged into Aeritalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet</span> French light attack fighter

The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced jet trainer co-manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier Flugzeugwerke of Germany. It was developed specifically to perform trainer and light attack missions, as well as to perform these duties more ideally than the first generation of jet trainers that preceded it. Following a competition, a design submitted by a team comprising Breguet Aviation, Dassault Aviation, and Dornier Flugzeugwerke, initially designated as the TA501, was selected and subsequently produced as the Alpha Jet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lajes Field</span> Portuguese Air Force base near Lajes, Terceira Island, Azores

Lajes Field or Lajes Air Base, officially designated Air Base No. 4, is a multi-use airfield near Lajes and 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island in the Azores, Portugal. It is home to the Portuguese Air Force Base Aérea N º4 and Azores Air Zone Command, a United States Air Force detachment unit, and a regional air passenger terminal. Located about 3,680 km (2,290 mi) east of New York City and about 1,600 km (990 mi) west of Lisbon, Portugal; the base sits in a strategic location midway between North America and Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romanian Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of Romanias military

The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) (Romanian: Forțele Aeriene Române) is the air force branch of the Romanian Armed Forces. It has an air force headquarters, an operational command, five airbases and an air defense brigade. Reserve forces include one air base and three airfields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portuguese Air Force</span> Aerial warfare branch of Portugals armed forces

The Portuguese Air Force is the aerial warfare force of Portugal. Locally it is referred to by the acronym FAP but internationally is often referred to by the acronym PRTAF. It is the youngest of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asas de Portugal</span> Military unit

The Asas de Portugal was a flight demonstration team created in 1977 integrated with Esquadra 103 of the Portuguese Air Force. It was Portugal's national aerobatic flying team and flew two ex-German Air Force Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">201 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Portuguese military unit

201 Squadron "Falcões" is a fighter squadron of the Portuguese Air Force, operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">302 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Military unit

The 302 Squadron "Falcões" / "Águias Reais" is an attack and air defense squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) disbanded in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">304 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Military unit

The 304 Squadron "Magníficos" is an attack and air defense squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) disbanded in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">103 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Military unit

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 (EICP) and Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem em Aviões de Combate (EICPAC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monte Real Air Base</span>

Monte Real Air Base, officially designated as Air Force Base No. 5, is a Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) air base located in Monte Real, Leiria, Portugal. Its mission is to guarantee the readiness and deployment of the air force units based there. Since its opening in October 1959, the base has been home to the air force's jet fighter aircraft, with several of the units based there being equipped with F-86F Sabre, Fiat G.91, T-33 Shooting Star, T-38 Talon and A-7 Corsair II aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">501 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Transport squadron of the Portuguese Air Force

The 501 Squadron "Bisontes" is a transport squadron of the Portuguese Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">502 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Military unit

The 502 Squadron "Elefantes" is a transport squadron of the Portuguese Air Force. Its primary mission is tactical air transport and has the secondary mission of providing additional pilot training in multi-engine aircraft and in navigation, search and rescue, and general air transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LTV A-7P Corsair II</span> Type of aircraft

The Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) operated 50 LTV A-7 Corsair II aircraft in the anti-ship, air interdiction and air defense roles between 1981 and 1999. The Portuguese government acquired the Corsair II to replace the PoAF's North American F-86 Sabre fighters, with two orders being placed for a total of 50 A-7P and TA-7P. As part of the program one TA-7C belonging to the United States Navy was also loaned to the PoAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">101 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Military unit

101 Squadron "Roncos" is a flight training squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF), based at Sintra Air Base (BA1), with the mission of providing elementary and basic flight training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">601 Squadron (Portugal)</span> Air force squadron and its operations

601 Squadron "Lobos" is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF), currently based at Beja Air Base. It operates the Lockheed P-3C CUP+ Orion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">102nd Squadron (Portugal)</span> Military unit

102 Squadron "Panchos" was an elementary flight training squadron of the Portuguese Air Force disbanded in 1992. Formed in 1962, the squadron administered air force training and performed at air shows throughout Portugal. Between 1963 and its disbandment in 1992, the squadron lost nine pilots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sud Aviation Alouette III in Portuguese service</span>

The Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) has operated Sud Aviation Alouette III light utility helicopters since 1963. The Portuguese government originally purchased 142 helicopters to replace the Sud Aviation Alouette II and for use in the roles of tactical transport, medical evacuation, and flight training, with several being adopted for combat air support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amendola Air Base</span> Airport

Amendola Air Base is a military airfield of the Italian Air Force. It is the home of 32nd Wing.