US defence department suggests it is all “routine”
Lajes air base in the Azores has recently received 12 refuelling aircraft from the US Air Force.
Sources from the US Department of Defence have yet to comment on whether the presence of these aircraft is related to the situation in the Middle East.
On Thursday, eight US Air Force refuelling aircraft were at the Lajes base, according to photographs posted on a social media page dedicated to aviation in the Azores.
According to Lusa’s observations on site, there are currently 12 refuelling aircraft at the facility.
When asked about the presence of these aircraft in Lajes, a source from the United States Department of Defence said only that “the US European Command routinely hosts US military aircraft (and personnel) temporarily, under base access and overflight agreements with allies and partners”.
“We will share additional information at the appropriate time.”
Lusa has specifically asked whether the presence of this number of aircraft in Lajes is usual and whether it is related to the situation in the Middle East.
The state news agency also asked whether the plan involves an increase in military aircraft movement at the base.
This far, there have been no answers.
It is now a full week since Israel launched its latest war against Iran, on the basis of the perceived threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme. One of Iran’s main uranium production sites, Fordo, requires deep-penetrating munitions, which only the United States have, and which would require the US getting further involved in the conflict.
Up till today, the US position is that it will take a position “within the next two weeks”.
Lajes is a strategic base for the US, sited as it is midway between America and Europe. In the relatively recent past, presidents have suggested dramatically ‘scaling down’ at Lajes. Fortunately, considering the current context, that did not happen.
Source material: LUSA
