711 Squadron (Portugal)
Encyclopedia
The 711 Squadron "Albatrozes" (Esquadra 711) is an aircraft squadron of the Portuguese Air Force
. The squadron's primary mission is Search and Rescue
and is the only squadron in the Portuguese military to operate both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft
.
Secondary missions
, the 503 "Golfinhos" and 752 Squadron "Pumas", respectively operating the CASA C-212 Aviocar and SA 330 Puma
. On October 19, 1993, with the merger of these two squadrons the 711 Squadron was activated.
On November 30, 2006, the Helicopter Flight of the 711 Squadron was deactivated and the Azores Aerial Detachment of the 752 Squadron was activated with the entry in service of the AgustaWestland EH101
and subsequent replacement of the SA 330 Puma.
With further changes in the operational structure in Azores, the squadron was temporarily deactivated on April 11, 2007, being replaced by a detachment of the 502
Squadron in the missions executed by its fixed-wing aircraft.
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
. The squadron's primary mission is Search and Rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
and is the only squadron in the Portuguese military to operate both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
.
Roles and missions
Primary mission- Search and rescue
Secondary missions
- Tactical air transport
- General air transport
History
Until 1993, two search and rescue squadrons were based at Lajes Air Force Base, AzoresAzores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
, the 503 "Golfinhos" and 752 Squadron "Pumas", respectively operating the CASA C-212 Aviocar and SA 330 Puma
Aérospatiale Puma
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
. On October 19, 1993, with the merger of these two squadrons the 711 Squadron was activated.
On November 30, 2006, the Helicopter Flight of the 711 Squadron was deactivated and the Azores Aerial Detachment of the 752 Squadron was activated with the entry in service of the AgustaWestland EH101
AgustaWestland EH101
The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use. The helicopter was developed as a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the UK and Agusta in Italy...
and subsequent replacement of the SA 330 Puma.
With further changes in the operational structure in Azores, the squadron was temporarily deactivated on April 11, 2007, being replaced by a detachment of the 502
502
Year 502 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Avienus and Probus...
Squadron in the missions executed by its fixed-wing aircraft.
External links
- 711 Squadron information at the Portuguese Air Force official website
- List of commanders of the 711 Squadron