United States stations F-16 fighters and refuelling planes at Azores airbase
Activity similar to that pre last year’s attacks on Iran nuclear bases
Reports coming in from plane spotters around the Azores airbase (Base das Lajes) on Terceira Island describe a flurry of activity as fighter jets, refuelling planes and transport planes have all suddenly appeared – reminiscent of the military build-up that took place last June, ahead of the United States’ attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
SIC Notícias uploaded clips and photographs last night showing the new arrivals at the airbase used by America, suggesting there are now 15 planes: 10 Boeing PC-46 (military refuelling and transport), one Boeing C-17 “capable of transporting large military cargo”, and four F-16s from the South Carolina National Air Guard.
SIC adds: “It is presumed that, similar to a similar operation last June, which preceded the United States’ attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, there are approximately 400 US military personnel in the Azores.
“The KPC-46 refueling aircraft are expected to refuel at Lajes Air Base, while the four F-16 fighter jets should take off immediately” following a repair that is apparently needed to one of them.
State news agency Lusa meantime reports that it has contacted the Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defence “to obtain clarifications on the movements detected at Lajes”.
A brief message from the Pentagon read in response: “U.S. European Command regularly receives U.S. aircraft and military personnel in transit, in accordance with access, base, and overflight agreements entered into with allies and partners. Given the operational security of U.S. assets and personnel, it is not possible to disclose further details at this time.”
Equally contacted by Lusa for a comment, the Portuguese ministry of foreign affairs has declined, while the defence ministry “has not responded”.
Geopolitical ‘observer’ and digital creator Rui Duque has since taken to social media to suggest Lajes airbase is “experiencing unprecedented activity in the recent history of transatlantic logistics (…) This volume of air traffic far exceeds routine operations or scheduled exercises. The concentration of resources in Lajes indicates a clear strategic preparation (…) In the language of military strategy, a mobilization of this magnitude is an indicator that something is about to happen in the international geopolitical chess game.
Duque adds that “the full reactivation of Lajes’ capacity reaffirms the base as the mandatory point of passage for any projection of force toward Europe or the Middle East.”
https://www.portugalresident.com/united-states-stations-f-16-fighters-and-refuelling-planes-at-azores-airbase/