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History
of Air Base 4
(From the Air Base 4 web site: http://www.lajes.af.mil/history.html
Jump to:
Introduction
The
Origins of Air Base 4
World
War II
U.S. Enters the Azores
Santa
Maria
Green and White Project
Post-War
Berlin Airlift
The
Growth of Lajes Field
Arab-Israel Conflict, 1973
Air
Rescue Mission
Distinguished
Visitors
Humanitarian Efforts
Silk
Purse
Lajes
enters the 1990s
The
Gulf War
Conclusion
Introduction
Since its discovery
in the early 15th century, the Portuguese Azores have played an important part
in oceanic navigation. The Azores were a logistical point for the discovery of
new worlds, a port of call for ships engaged in trade between Europe, America
and India, and a place to lay anchor for the galleons bringing the wealth of the
Americas back to the old world. The Azores, located 900 miles from the coast of
Portugal and 2,000 miles from America, became a bastion of Portuguese power
protecting lines of communications to its newly discovered lands. The Azores
became known as the gem in the Atlantic for ocean travelers. The advent of air
flight did not diminish the great role of these islands in the twentieth
century. Lajes Field on the island of Terceira became the air connection between
the old and new worlds - a crossroad in the Atlantic. Lajes Field was a new port
of call for weary air travelers and once again a bastion of power for the U.S.
global military mission. This is a brief history of Lajes Field from its
earliest days as a packed strip of earth, to its role in operational missions in
the 1990s.
The Origins of Air Base 4
Just as the Azores proved
to be an excellent stopover for shipping through the Atlantic, the Azores once
again proved to be a gem in the Atlantic during the early days of aviation. The
evolution of aeronautics during the first decades of the century proved to be an
exciting time. As aircraft technology improved and the accomplishments of
military aviators in World War I proved successful, it was not long before
aviators began to look across the great oceans as an obtainable goal. In May
1919, the first successful transatlantic flight took place from the United
States to the United Kingdom by three U.S. Navy "Curtiss Flyer" flying boats.
They used the Horta harbor on the Azorean Island of Faial as a stopover in their
flight. A few years later in 1926 the first commercial airline was flown from
the American continent to the Azores using a Fokker aircraft.
It is believed that the first interest in the
Azores as a mid-Atlantic landing strip came about because of an accident
involving a Polish airplane trying to cross the Atlantic in 1928. The Polish
aircraft crashed on Graciosa Island killing one of the two pilots. In that same
year the Portuguese government weighed the feasibility of constructing an
airfield on one of the islands of the Azores. Lieutenant Colonel Cifka Duarte, a
Portuguese aeronautics officer, was in charge of the study and decided upon
Achada, a tableland zone between the town of Angra and Lajes, for the airstrip.
The Junta Geral (the local administrative
board) of the Autonomous District of Angra Do Heroismo funded the airfield
project and carried out the necessary leveling work. Soon a small landing strip
of packed earth was created. On October 30, 1930, Captain Frederico de Melo, a
Terceira Island native son and a pilot, took off from this airfield flying an
AVRO single engine biplane. Within a few years after its completion, the Achada
airfield was condemned due to its inadequate dimensions and the adverse weather
conditions. However, the need for an airfield did not diminish.
Using a detailed report by Colonel Gomes da
Silva, another Terceira native, a different site was chosen on Terceira in 1934.
This site was the plain of Lajes, the present site of Air Base 4 and Lajes
Field. The Portuguese Military Service constructed a landing strip of packed
earth and a small group of support facilities.
World War II
As German forces
under Adolf Hitler made advances against the rest of Europe in 1939, beginning
World War II, many European countries were lining up for and against this act of
aggression. The Portuguese government saw neutrality as its best line of defense
against Germany. However in 1941, Portuguese officials recognizing the dangers
of the Azores in German hands, expanded the runway and sent additional troops
and equipment to Lajes including Gladiator aircraft. The Portuguese declared the
base capable of air defense on 11 July 1941. The military activities in the
Azores grew in 1942 as the Gladiators evolved into flying cover missions for
allied convoys, reconnaissance missions and meteorological flights. Also in July
1942, the first JU52 arrived flying cargo transportation missions.
Early in the war, the Allied Powers of Britain
and the United States recognized the potential of operating out of the Azores.
With German U-boats reeking havoc on transatlantic shipping, Britain saw the
need to conduct operations out of the Azores. As the U.S. became increasingly
involved in the war, it was looking for the fastest means to get men and
material to North Africa and Europe. The Azores offered that opportunity.
However, the Portuguese government remained neutral.
The British negotiated for the use of the
Azores with a 600-year-old treaty (1373 Treaty of Peace). Under an agreement
signed on 17 August 1943, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, president of the
Portuguese Council of Ministers, agreed to the British request for basing rights
"in the name of the alliance that had existed for over 600 years between
Portugal and Great Britain." The British were given use of the Azorean ports of
Horta, on the island of Faial, and Ponta Delgada, on the island of Sao Miguel,
and the airfields of Lagens Field on Terceira Island and Santana Field on Sao
Miguel Island.
The name Lagens Field was the original British
designation for Lajes Field. The U.S. used that name until 1950 when it became
Lages Field. It was not until 1953 when the name Lajes Field became the official
designation. For simplicity, Lajes Field will be the name used throughout this
history.
On 8 October 1943, the British disembarked at
Angra, unloaded equipment and supplies, and trucked them over a narrow, rough
road a distance of 11 miles to what would become known as Lajes Field. The
British built hangars, developed a large power plant, and set up living
quarters. Their main task was preparing a surface that allowed heavy aircraft to
land.
The British brought 60,000 U.S.-supplied
Marston mats (standardized, perforated steel plates 10 feet long and 15 inches
wide, pierced by 87 holes per plate) to Lajes. When these mats were linked
together, an all-weather, heavy-aircraft surface 150 feet wide and 5,000 feet
long was created. Just two weeks after their arrival, British bombers (Hudsons,
Lancasters, Flying Fortresses, Yorks, and Wellingtons) began to operate against
German U-boats around a 500-mile radius of the Azores. This central part of that
ocean known as the "Black Pit" or the Azores Gap had been out of range of
British and U.S. land-based air cover. The Azores permitted British aircraft to
extend the scope of their vigilance in the protection of Allied shipping in the
Atlantic.
The first U-boat "kill" came when a B-17 from
Squadron 220 of the Number 247 Group Royal Air Force, Coastal Command attacked
an exposed submarine on 9 November 1943 just one month after British Forces
arrived at Lajes Field. The contributions of the Azores and the three British
anti-submarine squadrons at Lajes were one of the turning points in the Battle
of the Atlantic in 1943.
In 1942, 5,480,000 tons of shipping had been
lost in the North Atlantic alone. In the last quarter of 1943 with the British
conducting operations out of Lajes, only 146,000 tons of shipping were lost. The
British U-boat hunters sank 53 submarines and frightened away many others from
safe refueling areas. The Battle of the Atlantic was virtually over.
U.S. Enters the Azores
The British
use of the Azores was only one half the contribution Lajes Field had during
World War II. As early as May 1941, the U.S. recognized the importance of the
Azores as a staging post for bombers and air transports to Europe. However,
Portuguese neutrality prevented its use. After the British Forces arrived at
Lajes Field, Portugal did grant permission for a handful of U.S. military
advisors to give technical assistance to the British at Lajes Field.
On 1 December 1943, British and U.S. military
representatives at Lajes Field signed a joint agreement outlining roles and
responsibilities for U.S. military presence at Lajes Field. The plan set forth
guidelines for U.S. ferried and transport aircraft to make a limited number of
landings at Lajes Field. In return, the United States agreed to assist the
British in improving and extending existing facilities at Lajes. On 9 December
1943, the first U.S. bomber, a B-17, was ferried through Lajes Field. As
Portuguese approval looked imminent, the U.S. designated Lajes Field as Station
Number 15 in the North Atlantic Wing.
Finally on the last day of 1943, Premier
Salazar gave his consent to the arrangement with the understanding the Americans
would be under British control. It has been said that America came into the
Azores "through the back door." The first American unit, the 96th Naval
Construction Battalion (a non-combatant force of 600 technicians) arrived at
Angra Harbor on 9 January 1944 aboard the SS Abraham Lincoln. This unit was
largely responsible for the development of the harbor basin in Praia, the
unloading of vessels, the laying down of the gasoline pipeline in Praia Bay and
the construction of two taxiways adjacent to the runway.
Eight days later, the 928th Engineer Regiment
and 801st Engineer Battalion (U.S. Army) with 800 more personnel arrived aboard
the SS John Clark with 4,064 tons of machinery and building material with the
mission to "build an air base." In addition to construction of facilities,
roads, a fuel tank farm, supplying water, and power plant generation, the army
engineers constructed three paved runways in an "A" shaped form. One of these
runways was over 10,000 feet long, the longest in the world at this time. On 24
January 1944, Colonel Albert D. Smith assumed command of all U.S. Army Forces in
the Azores. Wind, rain, and mud - common in the Azores in January - severely
tested the frail pup tents that were first used by the Navy men. The Army units
then erected pyramidal tents, but these were replaced as rapidly as possible by
Nissen huts and later by wooden structures.
The U.S. engineers could not have accomplished
the amazing feat of building an air base without the help of the Portuguese.
Portuguese workers worked side by side with U. S. engineers during the building
of Lajes including the massive construction of the runways.
Transient aircraft through Lajes Field began
immediately after the agreement was signed. In fact the first regularly
scheduled cargo plane under Air Transport Command control to use Lajes Field
carried five sets of pontoons, shipped at the urgent request of Lt. Gen. Mark
Clark, Deputy Commander Allied Forces in North Africa, together with other cargo
for the Mediterranean theater.
Air Transport Command traffic through Lajes
Field increased from approximately 90 planes in January 1944 to more than 600
planes in June 1944. By the end of June 1944 more than 1,900 American aircraft
had passed through this Azorean base. In order for aircraft to operate on
schedule, a 45-minute period was the average time limit allowed to service the
aircraft after landing at Lajes. Incoming planes were met and dispatched with as
much haste as possible as American facilities for messing and billeting were
neither sufficient nor adequate during the early days of 1944. If mechanical
trouble prevented planes from leaving on time, personnel were accommodated in
tents in the British area. The crews usually preferred to sleep in their planes.
This all changed by mid-to late-1944, when Army engineers completed messing and
billeting facilities.
By using Lajes Field in the Azores it was
possible to reduce flying time between the United States and North Africa from
70 hours to 40 hours. This considerable reduction in flying hours enabled
aircraft to make almost twice as many crossings per month between the United
States and North Africa and demonstrated clearly the geographic value of the
Azores during World War II and throughout Lajes history.
From November 1943 to June 1945, 8,689 U.S.
aircraft departed from Lajes including 1,200 B-17 and B-24 bomber aircraft being
ferried across the Atlantic. Cargo aircraft flights carried vital personnel and
equipment to North Africa, the United Kingdom and, after the allied gained a
foothold on mainland Europe, to Orly Field near Paris. Flights returning from
Europe carried wounded servicemen. Medical personnel at Lajes handled
approximately 30,000 air evacuations en route to the United States for medical
care and rehabilitation. The United States, however, needed a second base. Prior
studies revealed Santa Maria Island as the best choice. President Salazar
allowed the United States to construct a supplementary base on the island of
Santa Maria.
Santa Maria
Even before the
agreement for U.S. use of Lajes Field, military planners always had thought
about another site in the Azores to construct an air base. One such site
considered was Santa Maria Island. In June 1944, Premier Salazar granted the use
of Santa Maria Island to US under the strictest secrecy. On 4 August 1944, the
1391st Army Air Force Base unit was activated at Santa Maria. Construction of
what would become known as one of the best overseas facilities in Air Transport
Command started in September 1944. A civilian construction company under
direction of Army Corps of Engineers undertook what was called project 111. To
uphold the base's secrecy and for diplomatic purposes Pan American Airlines
fronted the construction of Santa Maria Air Base for the US Army Air Force. The
base along with the three A shaped runways were completed on 15 May 1945.
Movement of Air Transport Command operations to Santa Maria from Lajes Field
commenced in April 1945.
On 16 April 1945, a new wing was created called
the Central Atlantic Wing of the North Atlantic Division under Air Transport
Command. Brig Gen. A. D. Smith became its commander. This Wing included all
installations, bases and facilities used by Air Transport Command in the Azores.
The 1391st Army Air Force Base Unit was discontinued and was redesignated as
Headquarters, Central Atlantic Wing at Santa Maria Army Air Base. The new field
replaced Lajes as the main base for passenger and cargo planes routed through
the Azores, although U.S. operations at Lajes Field never ceased. Santa Maria's
tactical value was limited because the war in Europe ended a week before the
field was completed. However, operations began in time for the new base to play
a highly important role in troop redeployment and the evacuation of wounded
soldiers.
Green and White Project
The end
of the war in Europe brought about a rapid demobilization of troops and
equipment from Europe. With the war over, the post European operations mission
of the two Azorean bases became known. Santa Maria would serve the enormous
number of transport aircraft moving passengers and cargo back to the United
States. The Green Project, as it was called, moved over 50,000 veterans of the
war back home through Santa Maria. From May until September 1945, more than
7,000 C-54s transited through Santa Maria. Lajes, on the other hand,
participated in the White Project servicing tactical aircraft from the European
Theater to the Pacific Theater. Lajes set a record during the White Project when
600 U.S. aircraft landed in a single day.
Post-War
The United States and
the United Kingdom transferred control of both Lajes and Santa Maria bases to
Portugal on 2 June 1946. The preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Portugal
regarding bases in the Azores was terminated. The Portuguese resdesignated Lajes
as Air Base 4 and assigned it to the air branch of the Portuguese army whereas
Santa Maria was relinquished to civil control. However, talks between the U.S.
and Portugal began about extending the American stay in the Azores.
It had become clear that U.S. flights across
the Atlantic could not be abruptly halted. The decision was made by the
Portuguese government on 10 July 1946 that if the Americans were to remain in
the Azores it must be at Lajes Field. On 1 September 1946, the 1391st Army Air
Force Base Unit and the Azores Base Command was transferred from Santa Maria
Island to Lajes Field.
Nine days later a temporary agreement was
reached between the U.S. and Portuguese governments giving the U.S. military
rights to Lajes Field for an additional 18 months. In turn, the United States
was required to maintain services and support operations at the base "in
collaboration with and under the superintendence of the Portuguese authorities."
The relationship between the Portuguese and
U.S. still exists today. Lajes Field remains Portuguese Air Base 4 under the
direction of Headquarters Azores Air Zone commanded by Portuguese brigadeiro
(equal to a U.S. two-star general). The U.S. military resides at Lajes under
tenancy status. Although the Portuguese Air Force at Air Base 4 have a rich
history conducting search and rescue missions, maritime patrol and medical
evacuation, this history will focus on U.S. military activities at Lajes Field.
Berlin Airlift
With the end of
World War II, Germany was occupied by the four victorious allied powers. The
city of Berlin also was divided, although it was 110 miles within the Soviet
occupied area. Trying to force the Western Powers out of the city, the Soviet
Union cut land routes between West Germany and Berlin. Two million West
Berliners were cut off from supplies. On 26 June 1948, the U.S. and Britain
began airlifting supplies to the city, beginning Operation Vittles. The
operation lasted until 30 September 1949 when the Soviets reopened land routes.
The Berlin Airlift became the largest humanitarian airlift in history and was a
significant test for the young U.S. Air Force and the first major conflict of
the cold war.
Although the Berlin Airlift is thought of as
strictly a U.S. Forces in Europe operation, it was also a significant event for
Lajes Field. Throughout Operation Vittles, C-47, DC-4 and C-54 aircraft
transited Lajes Field en route to Germany. Lajes played one of the many
supporting roles that lead to the success of the Berlin Airlift. More than 3,000
aircraft passed through Lajes during Operation Vittles. Lajes Field also
supported Vittles personnel returning from airlift duties. Thousands were put up
in base billeting and many base agencies were open 24 hours a day.
Perhaps one of Lajes Field's greatest
contributions to the airlift was in maintenance and repair of Vittles aircraft.
During the airlift, Lajes Field maintenance crews were often taxed with the task
of keeping several C-47 and DC-4 aircraft flying. Maintenance crews were noted
for quick turn-around of aircraft and in making repairs and obtaining parts.
Lajes Field supported the airlift until its end in 1949. The station was never
the same after.
At this time officials realized that Lajes was
an important strategic link to counter Soviet aggression during the Cold War.
This was seen in March 1949, when four KB-29 tankers staged from Lajes to refuel
a B-50, (the Lucky Lady II) on the first non-stop around the world flight. Were
the Berlin Airlift and the Lucky Lady II support a vision of the future use of
Lajes Field? Major General Laurence S. Kuter, then commander of the Military Air
Transport Service (MATS), thought so as he recommended open negotiations with
Portugal for long-term rights to Lajes on 28 November 1949.
Expiration of the 1946 agreement was December
1949. General Kuter argued that by allowing the United States use of Lajes,
Portugal would be contributing to the success of the North Atlantic Treaty
Orgainization (NATO) of which Portugal was a founding member. During the
negotiations, U.S. rights to facilities at Lajes were extended for two more
years. Finally, on 6 September 1951, the Portuguese government announced in
Lisbon a new treaty with the United States concerning use of the Azores based on
NATO requirements. This 1951 treaty has been the foundation of all Lajes Field
agreements since then.
The Growth of Lajes Field
The 1950s were a time when the world was faced
with a communist threat and the Cold War was in its infancy. To meet the needs
of this growing threat, the young U.S. Air Force positioned aircraft in Western
Europe as a deterrent.
Small airfields in Europe became large air
bases, and the flow of aircraft, personnel, and material was continuous across
the Atlantic. The importance of Lajes as a mid-Atlantic refueling station proved
valuable. This was a great time of expansion for Lajes Field. The mission,
personnel, and the base were growing, but as Lajes Field entered the decade of
the 1950s, the 1605th Air Base Group was heading the U.S. military activities in
the Azores. U.S. Air Force leaders felt a wing would be the best organization to
keep pace with the growth.
On 11 August 1952, Headquarters Atlantic
Division initiated correspondence to Headquarters, Military Air Transport
Service requesting that the 1605th Air Base Group be permitted to enlarge to
Wing status. The justification for this was that the group organization was
unrealistic and inadequate to effectively accomplish the mission of the Azores
Air Transport Station (as Lajes was referred to). Also, Headquarters Atlantic
Division felt that the location of the Group in a foreign country involved
problems of liaison with local government and military activities and that the
prestige of the Command would be greatly enhanced by the establishment of a
Wing. Permission was granted and on 1 February 1953, the 1605th Air Base Group
was redesignated as the 1605th Air Base Wing.
This was not the only change in U.S. military
leadership in the Azores. On 16 March 1953, the Commander-in-Chief, U.S.
Atlantic Command organized a subordinate unified command in the Azores called
U.S. Forces Azores (USFORAZ) and assigned the commander 1605th Air Base Wing
commander over all U.S. Forces Azores. A small staff of Navy, Army and Air Force
personnel comprised the joint staff of USFORAZ. The command was responsible for
contingency planning. As the local representative for the U.S. Ambassador to
Portugal, COMUSFORAZ was, and still is today, the liaison between the U.S. and
the Portuguese in the Azores. The command mission was established to support
allied forces in the area, to assist in local defense, if requested, and to
protect and evacuate U.S. citizens from the Azores, Europe, Africa, and
Southwest Asia, or other areas of the world. The commander of U.S. Forces Azores
assumed operational control of assigned U.S. military forces in the Azores
region.
The U.S. Air Force was not the only military
organization established at Lajes during the 1950s. A U.S. Army Port Battalion
assumed control over the loading and unloading of supplies in Praia Bay in 1952.
Two U.S. Navy units also came aboard. The Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA),
activated in 1954, provided high frequency communications to naval and other
Department of Defense forces operating in and through the Azores area. The Naval
Air Facility, established in 1957, supported naval aviation operations through
the Azores operational area. (For a more detailed look at each of these units
see pages 27-30.)
In February 1952, a precedent was established
with the appearance of six Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-36 aircraft en route to
a training mission in Europe. While it was not the first time SAC aircraft
transited Lajes, it certainly was the largest seen at that time. It prompted a
re-study of Lajes ability to support SAC units. It led to the establishment of
an attached SAC liaison operations office at Lajes Field that coordinated SAC
aircraft movements with the Lajes base command. Beginning 3 January 1958, a
rotational SAC provisional tanker force was established at Lajes flying KC-97
tanker aircraft. The primary purpose of this assignment was to provide en route
refueling support to SAC aircraft transiting the Atlantic Ocean. Tanker units
from the states rotated at Lajes for 90 days at a time. However, as SACs
intercontinental ballistic missile program grew during the 1960s, its reliance
on overseas basing diminished. Also longer-range bomber and tanker aircraft
lessened the need for deployed tanker units. Subsequently, the SAC tanker units
left Lajes in 1964.
Tactical Air Command also established a
rotational tanker unit in the late 1950s along with a liaison office of its own.
This liaison office coordinated TAC aircraft movements through the area en route
to and from training exercises. TAC tanker units were flying the KB-50 tanker
aircraft. These tanker units left Lajes in 1965, however, the liaison office
remained at Lajes until 1992.
To illustrate the increase in mission, in 1952,
4,059 aircraft departed from Lajes. By 1959, there was a 300 percent increase in
air traffic with 16,360 aircraft departures. The increase in mission performance
directly influenced manning levels at Lajes. At the start of 1952 there was
1,020 U.S military personnel at Lajes Field. In 1959, this number reached 3,020
U.S. military personnel. This increase in personnel served to support the
increasing use of Lajes Field. Lajes had been instrumental in providing support
to many exercises and operations in the 1950s and 1960s. Exercises with names
such as Spearhead (1960), Long Thrust (1961) and Big Lift (1963) continued to
bring many aircraft and troops through Lajes. Many operations supported both UN
and NATO. The operations included the 1958 U.S peace efforts in Lebanon, and the
1961 United Nations peace initiative in Congo.
One obstacle facing the 1605th Air Base Wing in
1953 was most facilities were temporary structures that were built during World
War II. Nissen Huts and Wooden barracks that clearly were not meant for long
term use were showing signs of deterioration. The growth of personnel also had
an impact on the base.
The extremely outdated barracks had been built
during World War II by the British and were merely livable as quarters, due to
an unequal distribution of space, little or no closet room, and generally
overcrowded conditions. The adjoining latrines were equally antiquated, and were
serving as many as 50 to 100 airmen in an area hardly large enough to normally
accommodate 10 to 12 airmen.
Other base facilities were facing the same
problems. A massive construction project began in the 1950s. Most of the base
facilities of Lajes today were originally constructed during that period.
A short list of the construction projects
included new barracks, docks, power plant, transmitter site, and facilities to
support SAC training missions and accommodations for the Port Battalion. A new
headquarters building was occupied in 1953. A 300-bed hospital was ready for use
in 1956 along with new maintenance hangers and the 15-hydrant fuel system. The
liquid fuel bulk storage facility was completed in 1958, increasing the fuel
handling capacity at Lajes to deal with the increase in transiting aircraft.
Since 1948, dependents were permitted in the
Azores, but the base had no decent family housing during the early 1950s. To
accommodate the families, the construction of family units began in 1953 (Upper
T housing area). Also, many landowners in the village of Lajes built new units
to rent to Americans. Many U.S. contract construction workers and military
personnel obtained permission from landowners on Santa Rita Hill, adjacent to
the base, to construct their own houses. These homeowners then paid rent to the
landowner. Through the years these houses were bought and sold over and over
again. In 1963, houses were constructed on the area known as Lower T today.
By the mid-1960s, SAC and TAC tanker rotational
tanker units at Lajes stopped. This coupled with newer aircraft such as C-135,
C-130 and C-141 with overflight capabilities caused a gradual decline in Lajes
traffic. There were only 5,559 departures in 1965. This led to a new mission for
Lajes Field. General Howell Estes, commander of Military Airlift Command (MAC)
was concerned about the appearance of MAC aircraft. In 1966, General Estes gave
the 1605th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS) the job of
restoring C-118s from the 439th Military Airlift Group, Rhein Mein Germany that
were used for medical air evacuations.
The CAMS personnel completely refurbished five
C-118s from nose to tail including painting, reupholstering, and installing new
fittings and parts to a like new condition. Also, in 1966, General Estes
initiated "Project Shape-Up" which called for Lajes to repair and improve the
interior appearance of McGuire AFB based C-135s. Fifteen C-135s at a rate of one
per week flew into Lajes for refurbishment in 1966.
Lajes, however, couldn't escape the decline in
mission aircraft transiting the airfield. In 1967, a rotational P-3 mission was
established by the Naval Air Facility. The sortie rates generated by the Navy
were exceeding those of the Air Force during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The
Department of Defense made plans to transfer U.S. military command at Lajes to
the Navy in 1974. But before the change occurred, a significant world event
would have another profound impact on the status of Lajes Field.
Arab-Israel Conflict, 1973
On 6 October 1973, the countries of Egypt and
Syria launched an attack on Israel. The Soviet Union took up the task of
resupplying the aggressors in this conflict that became known as the Yom Kippur
War. President Richard Nixon vowed U.S. help to the Israelis. On 12 October
1973, the Military Airlift Command received orders to move supplies and
ammunition to Israel. U.S. allies in Europe, fearful of losing oil supplies from
the Arab oil producing nations, denied the U.S. use of air bases for the
operation.
Only Portugal agreed to cooperate fully with
the airlift giving U.S. landing rights at Lajes Field. Within two days of
receiving the orders (14 October 1973), the first flight unloaded in Israel.
During the initial 48 hours of the historic Operation Nickel Grass airlift, an
unprecedented 136 landings and 88 departures were directed, managed, and
supported by Lajes Field. C-141s and C-5s flew a distance of about 6,500
nautical miles, landing to refuel only at Lajes. The airlift lasted until 14
November 1973 and resulted in the delivery of 22,395 tons of cargo. There were
312 C-5 and 845 C-141 transiting aircraft through Lajes during the operation.
Lajes Field went into 24-hour operations to support the aircraft and personnel.
The Yom Kippur War ended with a cease-fire
between the warring nations. Operation Nickel Grass sustained Israel and
outperformed the Soviets supply effort to Egypt and Syria. Soviet transport
aircraft (AN-12 and AN-22) moved 15,000 tons of cargo, but only had to cover a
distance of 1,700 miles.
This airlift had a two-fold affect on the U.S.
Air Force. First, the Air Force modified the C-141 fleet for mid-air refueling
and renewed interest in the C-5s aerial refueling capability. The second
confirmed the importance of the Air Force maintaining basing facilities at Lajes.
In January 1974, the Department of Defense reconsidered the U.S. Navy command at
Lajes Field. The 1605th Air Base Wing earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit
Award for its effort during Operation Nickel Grass.
Air Rescue Mission
The early 1970s also marked the end of an era
at Lajes when the 57th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron was inactivated on 1
December 1972. The U.S. air rescue mission had been at Lajes since 1948 with the
activation of Flight B, 7th Air Rescue Squadron. In 1952, the unit designation
changed to the 57th Air Rescue Squadron. The Air Rescue Squadron mission was to
intercept lost or damaged aircraft and bring them back to Lajes.
It also performed search and rescue for downed
aircraft and ocean-going vessels. Through the years the Rescue Squadron flew
SB-17s, C-54s, SH-19s helicopters, and C-130s. The Squadron generated thousands
of sorties and hundreds of saves throughout its history. One of those saves
included rescuing 48 lives from the Portuguese ship SS Arnel that hit the rocks
off Santa Maria in 1959. In the 1960s, the rescue squadron supported the Gemini
and later Apollo Space missions. When the 57th was inactivated at Lajes, the
Portuguese Air Force took up the air rescue mission. Also, Navy P-3 assisted in
search and rescue missions.
Distinguished Visitors
From its earliest days Lajes had the pleasure
of hosting many distinguished visitors. Its proximity made Lajes a desired
location for dignitary and statespersons to stop, refuel, and rest. President
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first American president to stop at Lajes in 1960,
but almost every President since has made an appearance (See Chronology). Lajes
has also been on the forefront of world history.
In 1945, peace delegates from Europe and Africa
stopped en route to the San Francisco Peace Conference. In 1979, President Jimmy
Carter and Egypt's Prime Minister Anwar Sadat stopped at Lajes en route to
high-level Middle East peace talks. Perhaps one of the most talked about visits
was in December 1971 when President Richard Nixon met with French President
Georges Pompidou for a high-level conference in the City of Angra.
The most recent visitor was the First Lady of
the United States, Hillary Clinton, who visited the base and gave a speech to
Team Lajes. In addition to kings, queens and other heads of state, Lajes hosted
commanders from all major commands, Air Force, NATO and other allied military
leaders. All distinguished visitors were and still are given full honors.
Comments on the service provided and the support were always positive.
It was not always the serious visitor who
stopped at Lajes Field. USO tours were a popular entertainment treat for U.S.
service members separated from family back home. Many entertainers stopped to
give shows at Lajes. Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and other performers and musical
groups performed to make the troops laugh, and forget about life for a while.
Humanitarian Efforts
On 1 January 1980, an earthquake measuring 7.0
on the Richter scale struck Terceira Island. Damage to Lajes Field was minimal,
however there was extensive destruction to Portuguese communities throughout the
island. Military personnel responded with food, shelter, equipment and manpower.
The 1605th Air Base Wing Crisis Action Team
became the focus for disaster relief operations by all U.S. forces and a
coordination point with Portuguese military and civil authorities. Teams of U.S.
Air Force, Army, Navy, civilian and dependent personnel were organized and
dispatched into the communities hardest hit by the quake.
These teams were engaged in clearing roads,
digging through rubble and helping Portuguese families move their belongings to
protected shelters. The base set up the gymnasium as a reception point for
displaced Portuguese and American families. Dining facilities went on 24-hour
operation feeding earthquake victims and emergency relief volunteers. Temporary
housing was provided on base in dormitories.
By 15 January, 150 families were housed in base
facilities. Heavy equipment was used extensively by Civil Engineers to
supplement the Portuguese machines that were clearing roads, moving rubble,
toppling dangerous structures and in other ways facilitating the emergency
operations. Base civil engineers provided generators to restore power to the
Angra hospital, Angra bakery, and the Praia telephone system. For two weeks,
U.S. forces assisted disaster recovery until Portuguese agencies had a firm hand
on the situation.
The 1980 earthquake was just one of the many
relief efforts made by the American personnel in the history of Lajes Field. In
1963, six weeks of severe wind prevented Portuguese supply ships from reaching
Santa Maria Island. The 1605th Air Base Wing coordinated to divert a C-124 to
Lajes where it was loaded with five tons of food. The C-124 then airdropped the
food to Santa Maria helping the residents survive until the next shipment
arrived. In 1964, a series of earthquakes struck the island of Sao Jorge
destroying homes and leaving thousands of people homeless. Many Sao Jorge
residents made their way to Terceira Island.
The 1605th Air Base Wing provided blankets,
mattresses, pillows, and sheets to Terceira's hospitals and relief centers.
Other MATS and Air National Guard units flew in clothing from California to
Lajes. The clothing was loaded onto U.S. Army Port landing crafts. These landing
crafts delivered the clothing to Sao Jorge. In addition, housing for 200
Portuguese families of Sao Jorge was provided by the U.S. Forces Azores through
a People-to-People project.
The housing was in the form of 100 Quonset huts
provided by the U.S. Navy. Recently, US Forces Azores coordinated with the
assistance of the 65th Air Base Wing, a Marine deployment for training to repair
flood damage on the island of Sao Miguel in 1998.
It was not only in times of trouble that the
U.S. personnel at Lajes assisted the local community. The People-to-People
program was a foreign aid program initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in
1956 made up of civic leaders and businesses. U.S. Forces Azores command
coordinated many of the People-to-People projects throughout the Azores Island.
Some of the projects included constructing
local water wells, stocking trout in Furnas lake on Sao Miguel Island, and
airlifting different breeds of livestock to the island. The Lajes Chapel Base
Charitable Organization has collected foodstuff and items for delivery to those
local families in need. In 1998, a Marine construction unit deployed to Lajes to
construct a fire training tower for local civil protection authorities.
The U.S. military has always tried to be a good
neighbor with our Portuguese host in good times and in times of trouble. In 1998
a precedent was establish when Lajes Field conducted an exercise (Strong Partner
I) with Portuguese military and civic authorities to practice relief efforts for
an earthquake. As seen with the 1980 earthquake, it was an all too real
situation and one in which preparedness could make the difference.
As Lajes entered the 1980s, a change in the
organizational structure of the Wing took place. On 1 January 1982, the 1605th
Air Base Wing was redesignated the 1605th Military Support Airlift Support Wing.
The major change involved reassigning the Air Terminal Operations section,
formerly under the 1605th Transportation Squadron, and the Wing Command Post and
Station Operations sections to aircraft maintenance squadron and redesignating
that squadron the 1605th Military Airlift Support Squadron.
This move would also take Lajes away from being
an en route aircraft maintenance facility to an en route support facility.
However, station air traffic continued along at a steady rate. Transiting
aircraft, crews and personnel participating in exercises such as Bright Star and
the annual REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) were still making their way
through Lajes.
The 1980s were also marked with a high
construction growth. A new addition was placed on the gymnasium and a new
commissary was built. In addition, many of those 1950s-era facilities were
refurbished. The construction of Beira Mar housing and new dormitories made life
at Lajes more comfortable.
Silk Purse
In the summer of 1984, Lajes undertook a new
mission. EC-135s began operating out of Lajes Field. This operation, known as
the Silk Purse Control Group, functioned as an airborne command post for U.S.
Commander-in-Chief of Europe. Along with the aircraft came U.S. European Command
battle staffs and flight crews from United States Air Forces in Europe.
Each crew included communication system
operators and aircraft maintenance personnel. Also, additional security forces
personnel were assigned to protect the area. The Silk Purse mission was highly
classified and little was known of its activities at Lajes, but overall its
mission was deterring aggression from the Soviet Union. After the collapse of
the Soviet Union the Silk Purse mission was deactivated and the last Silk Purse
mission rolled out in late August 1991.
Lajes enters the 1990s
The 1990s brought about the end of the Soviet
Union and the Cold War. However, this brought about many challenges to the
United States and the U.S. military. With global balance in disorder, many
nations were free to choose their own course of action. However, for some
nations this course led to disputes between neighbors and its own citizens. Also
with the demise of the Soviet Union, the U.S. military budget shrank. The U.S.
military was faced with reducing its force and infrastucture while at the same
time answering the world's call for help.
The Gulf War
The first such test of the 1990s was when Iraq
invaded its neighboring country Kuwait on 2 August 1990. Immediately the world
took action and began positioning forces in the Southwest Asia region to stop
this act of aggression beginning what became know as Operation Desert Shield. On
17 January 1991, the U.S. opened Operation Desert Storm with a massive bombing
campaign against Iraqi targets. This air war pounded Iraq for 39 days before the
ground troops came in to push the Iraqis back to their own borders in less than
100 hours.
Lajes supported the massive airlift during the
Gulf war. On the first day of the deployment over 90 aircraft transited Lajes.
Strategic Air Command staged a provisional tanker wing at Lajes to support the
airlift. At the height of the operation a peak of 33 tanker aircraft and 600
troops deployed to Lajes.
At one point during Operation Desert Shield
there was a maximum of 56 aircraft on the ramp - which included SAC, MAC, Guard,
Reserve, Marine, Navy, and several fighter aircraft drop-ins. Despite having the
airfield close to capacity, not one aircraft was refused landing or servicing.
During the entire Gulf War, Lajes provided quality en route support for over
12,000 aircraft operations.
Military Airlift Support Squadron personnel
handled over 15,000 tons of essential cargo needed for the war effort. With the
largest fuel disbursement facility in the Air Force, Lajes pumped five times the
normal amount of fuel. Fuels personnel issued over 40 million gallons of
petroleum products without a major safety incident or delay in aircraft
departures.
Throughout the campaign, civil engineering
personnel worked over 9,450 man-hours to maintain an antiquated, 35-year-old
hydrant refueling system.
Throughout this period over 75,000 personnel
passed through Lajes Field. Over 10,000 of them were billeted during both
operations.
To accommodate them all, the base gymnasium was
converted into a 330-bed overflow facility. Services personnel ensured all
transitory aircrews and troop movements bound for the Gulf region had a clean
and comfortable place to sleep. The in-flight kitchen prepared over 18,000
flight meals and set up a 24-hour dining service operation for crews on call.
The 600 deployed personnel to Lajes were treated as part of Team Lajes. The
challenges of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were met head on with
determination and pride that far exceeded expectations. The 1605th Military
Airlift Support Wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its
support of the Gulf War.
Soon after the Gulf War ended, the Air Force
underwent a massive reorganization. The strategic and tactical assets of SAC and
TAC were combined to form Air Combat Command (ACC). MACs airlift operations and
SACs refueling capabilities were shaped into Air Mobility Command (AMC). The Air
Force was moving from composite wings to the whole wing concept. Lajes Field
underwent a significant change as a result.
The Lajes U.S. base command changed from the
1605th Military Airlift Support Wing to the 65th Support Wing in January 1992.
The Wing remained under Air Mobility Command, however plans were made to
transfer the Wing to Air Combat Command. On 1 October 1993, the transition from
AMC to ACC took place. Since the Americans first arrived at Lajes in January
1944, Lajes had been under the leadership of an airlift major command (ATC,
MATS, MAC, and AMC).
The Wing under ACC formed a more natural chain
of command. The commander of U.S. Forces Azores reports to U.S. Atlantic
Command, and ACC is a component of U.S. Atlantic Command. Along with the change
in command, the 65th Support Wing was redesignated the 65th Air Base Wing, the
designation of the unit today. AMC still kept a support squadron at Lajes to
coordinate AMC flights. The unit is the largest tenant unit at Lajes and is
designated the 629th Air Mobility Support Squadron.
The U.S. military was also downsizing its
forces. This had an impact at Lajes Field. The two Naval units, mainstays since
the 1950s, were both deactivated by 1994. Lajes U.S. military manning levels
dropped below 1,000. The lowest level since 1950.
The change in unit designation, major commands,
and personnel levels did not have an impact on the mission as was evident during
other operations of the 1990s. In every operation in Europe, Southwest Asia, and
Africa, Lajes played a supporting role. Those operations included:
Provide Comfort (1991) - Supported cargo
aircraft providing humanitarian relief for the Iraqi Kurds.
Restore Hope (1992-93) - Reception and
beddown of 12 KC-135s that formed a tanker task force providing a mid-Atlantic
air refueling station for cargo aircraft bound for and returning from Somalia.
Deny Flight (1993) - Already heavy with
Navy P-3 and C-130 deployments, the Wing received deployment orders for 6
KC-135Rs in support of Bosnia no fly zone.
Southern Watch (1994) - Hosted a 15
aircraft Tanker Task Force that supported increasing requirements of aircraft
patrolling southern Iraq.
Support Hope (1994) - Provided refueling
support to cargo aircraft supporting the humanitarian relief operation to
Rwanda.
Vigilant Warrior (1994) - Supported
transiting fighter aircraft in the protection of U.S. vital interests and the
promotion of Southwest Asia regional stability.
Joint Endeavor (1995) - Provided support
for transiting aircraft to the Bosnia Airlift.
Assured Response (1996) - During the
evacuation of American citizens from Liberia, Lajes hosted 8 Tanker Task Force
aircraft. Also, the last C-5 carrying U.S. Embassy personnel and equipment
landed at Lajes.
Operation Desert Thunder (1998) - The
629th Air Mobility Support Squadron turned around C-17s staging from Lajes
during the movement of equipment from Southwest Asia. The 629 AMSS was tasked
with preparing the C-17 for flight in one hour and 45 minutes. This unit not
only met the goal, but on several occasion had the aircraft ready to go in 39
minutes.
Today, Lajes continues to support transiting
aircraft during the course of Operations Joint Guard, Deny Flight, Provide
Comfort, and Southern Watch. Beginning in 1997, large fighter aircraft movements
called Air Expeditionary Forces filled the Lajes flightline. Lajes also has
hosted B-52 and B-1 bomber aircraft en route from global air missions. Lajes
also supports many routine NATO exercise, such as the biennial Northern Viking
exercise.
Supporting these missions and aircraft
movements represents a total Team Lajes effort. Team Lajes consists of the
dedicated men and women of all branches of the military services, the
hardworking Portuguese workforce, and the dependents who give much to the
success of Lajes. In 1997 and 1998, Lajes was recognized with many awards from
ACC and the Air Force. The most prestigious was the Air Combat Command nominee
for the 1998 Commander-In-Chief Installation Excellence Award and being chosen
as a runner-up at the Air Force level.
Conclusion
For 55 years, Lajes has been the Crossroads of
the Atlantic bridging the gap of the wide-open ocean expanse. In most
contingencies that required U.S. aircraft and allied forces to cross the
Atlantic, Lajes had a supporting role. From the B-17s and C-47s to B-1s and
C-17s, Lajes was and will continue to be the fueling station that gets the
aircraft and crews where they need to "fly, fight and win."
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