Portugal’s Air Force has cancelled a series of public events scheduled at its air bases throughout the country over the next few weeks.
The official reason is that “the situation internationally and in Ukraine obliges FAP (the Portuguese Air Force) to guarantee greater operational response capacity”.
But tabloid Correio da Manhã tabloid runs with the headline: “Air Force confesses it closed its bases due to fear of attacks”.
The reality is somewhere in the middle. Yes, General Cartaxo Alves – the Chief of Staff of FAP, did say that Portugal could “run risks” if the Air Force went forwards with the “Open Bases” initiative – scheduled for this month and October – and there could be “some possible attacks as have already occurred in Europe” – but he did not appear to show any kind of fear.
Other media outlets interpret the moves as Portugal’s air force simply acting in line with the armed forces in other countries by increasing readiness levels, and intensifying military training.
“We are living a situation in Europe that we are all familiar with”, said the general yesterday as the ‘main story’ (from the point of view of the government) was the €45 million ‘deal’ forged between Portugal and Sweden for the supply of four KC390 Embraer military aircraft, assembled in this country.
“(Portugal is) at the tip of Europe, but security affects us all – not just in our waters, but in other areas”. General Cartaxo Alves added that “all” European air festivals have been cancelled this year. “These decisions are not taken in isolation”.
The “Open Bases” initiative is hugely popular, attracting crowds of spectators every year. It involves opening various air force bases to the public, “to demonstrate capacities” and hold a number of activities, like traditional “baptismal flights”, in which citizens have the opportunity to fly in an Air Force plane. It also coincides with the annual ‘Tiger Meet’ of NATO forces in this country, and as such takes personnel away from military duties, which are now seen to be much more important.
Festivals cancelled are those planned for Monte Real, Montijo and Beja air bases, as well as an event in the Campo de Tiro of Alcochete air base, and one on Porto Santo island, in Madeira.
The Tiger Meet meantime continues at Beja’s Base Aérea n.º 11 until the end of this month. It involves 3,000 military from 14 countries and 70 planes from 19 squadrons.
sources: Correio da Manhã/ Expresso/ Observador
