In celebration of the Portuguese Air Force 's 72nd anniversary, the 30th anniversary of their F-16 operations and the city's centenary, a week long show had been staged on the waterfront of the city of Portimao in the Algarve.
https://youtu.be/kPGFqBSxX2o
(Interesting footage with Portuguese language)
Static displays included Chipmunk, Alphajet, Alouette aircraft and an F-16 for public access.
Sunday late afternoon (7th) saw displays by C-130H Hercules 16806 [497C84] as' Herky64' which had routed low level down the west coast from its base at Montijo in Lisbon.
Newly delivered EH-60A Blackhawk 29801 [497FA1] as 'Panter 70' with Augusta AW-119 29702 [497C52] as 'Koala 35' routed down from Beja to the municipal airfield at Portimao, which is usually inundated with flights for the resident parachute clubs, before their seafront display of their 'search and rescue' specialists.
SCRAMBLE reported in late 2022 that Portugal had agreed an agreement for six secondhand U.S. military EH-60A for its' Fire & Rescue Service. 29801 (ex. 87-24669) was the first to be handed over in late 2023.
The helicopter display was followed by one of the new EMB-390 transports no. 26901 [497CDC] as 'Rhino 01'which had also routed down from its base at Beja.
A second A-119 29704 as 'Koala 37' departed Portimao at the end of the flying display back to Beja.
In the finale of events a fantastic display of illuminated drones outlined F-16 and F-35 shapes in the night sky.
Displaying in the afternoon over Lisbon harbour naval base from the nearby Montijo air base were Falcon FA50 17401 as 'Lince31' and C-295 Persuader 16703 [497C93] as 'Snout 56'
Hopefully some lucky FC'ers on holiday in the Portugal may have photos to share.
