As the Portuguese Air Force celebrates its 70th anniversary, Esquadra 201 and 301, operating the F-16A/BM (MLU)Fighting Falcon, continues to be the tip of the spear. JOSEF CAMPION visits the two units in Monte Real. ALTHOUGH ESQUADRA 201 'Falcoes'(Falcons) and Esquadra 301 'Jaguares' have different backgrounds and origins, today, they have the same mission: to execute counter-air and attack operations for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). To be mission successful, both squadrons are focused on mission effectiveness, have an agile mindset and continuous improvement posture, and work as part of a wider highly skilled team at Base Area 5, Monte Real. The 201 squadron was stood up in 1958 to fly the F-86 Sabre - the first supersonic jet operated by the FAP which operated over former Portuguese territories in Africa from 1961-64. Almost two decades later, in 1980, the unit transitioned to the LTV A-7P Corsair II. Whilst the A-7 was designed as purely an air-to-ground aircraft, the FAP had to occasionally employ it in the air-to-air role, due to a lack of dedicated fighter aircraft. Alongside the air-to-ground capabilities, its mission sets included anti-surface(maritime) warfare. In 1994, with deliveries from the Peace Atlantis Foreign Military Sales program, Esq201 transitioned to the F-16A Blockl 5 OCU (operational capability upgrade)Fighting Falcon, regaining the air-to-air capabilities that had been missing since the retirement of the F-86. Since then, the F-16 has been the squadron's (not to mention Portugal's) main frontline weapon system in the air.
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