List of Portuguese Air Force aircraft squadrons and flights, past and present.
| Name | Native name | Active | Base | Aircraft | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mozambique Expeditionary Flight | Esquadrilha Expedicionária a Moçambique | 1917–1918 | Mocimboa da Praia Airfield, Mozambique | Farman F.40 (3x) | The first Portuguese operational unit of military aviation. Participated in the East African campaign of World War I | |
| Angola Expedicionary Flight | Esquadrilha Expedicionária Angola | 1918–1921 | Lubango, Angola | Caudron G-4 (9x) | Transferred to Huambo. Transformed in the Angola Group of Aviation Flights (GEAA) in 1921 | |
| "Republic" Group of Aviation Flights | Grupo de Esquadrilhas de Aviação "República" (GEAR) | 1919–1927 | Amadora Airfield | Breguet 14, SPAD S.VII, | AVRO 504K (May 1924) used by Cintra Flying School till 1934 | The first operational unit of military aviation created in European Portugal. Transformed in the Information Aviation Group (GAI) in 1927 |
| Mix Depot and Aviation Flight | Esquadrilha Mista de Aviação e Depósito (EMAD) | 1920–? | Tancos Airfield | SPAD S.VII | ||
| Angola Group of Aviation Flights | Grupo de Esquadrilhas de Aviação de Angola (GEAA) | 1921–? | Huambo, Angola | Caudron G-4, Caudron G-3, Breguet Br.14-A2 (12x) | ||
| Fighter Flight No. 1 | Esquadrilha Nº1 de Caça | 1926–1927 | Tancos Airfield | Breguet 14 | Transformed in the GIAPC in 1927 | |
| Independent Combat and Protection Aviation Group | Grupo Independente de Aviação de Protecção de Combate (GIAPC) | 1927–? | Tancos Airfield | Fighter unit | ||
| Information Aviation Group | Grupo de Aviação de Informação (GAI) | 1927–1938 | Amadora Airfield | Reconnaissance unit | ||
| Independent Bombardment Aviation Group | Grupo Independente de Aviação de Bombardeamento (GIAB) | 1927–1940 | Alverca | Strategic bombing unit. Transferred from Amadora | ||
| Independent Assault Aviation Flight | Esquadrilha Independente de Aviação de Assalto | 1939–1941 | Granja do Marquês | Breda Ba-65 (10x) | Ground attack unit | |
| Day Bombardment Group | Grupo de Bombardeamento de Dia | 1938–1940 | Ota Airfield | Junkers Ju 52/3m (10x) | Strategic bombing unit | |
| Day Bombardment Group | Grupo de Bombardeamento de Dia | 1940–? | Ota Airfield | Junkers Ju 86K-7 (10x) | Strategic bombing unit | |
| Night Bombardment Group | Grupo de Bombardeamento de Noite | 1940–? | Ota Airfield | Junkers Ju 52 (10x) | Strategic bombing unit | |
| Fighter Flight | Esquadrilha de Caça | 1940–? | Ota Airfield | Gloster Gladiator II (15x) | Air defense | |
| Expeditionary Fighter Flight No. 1 | Esquadrilha Expedicionária de Caça Nº 1 | 1941–? | Rabo de Peixe Airfield, Azores | Gloster Gladiator II | Air defense and patrol squadron. Transferred from Tancos | |
| Expeditionary Fighter Flight No. 2 | Esquadrilha Expedicionária de Caça nº2 | 1941–? | Achada, Azores | Gloster Gladiator II | Air defense and patrol squadron. Transferred from Ota | |
| Mohawk Flight | Esquadrilha Mohawk | 1941 | Ota Airfield | Curtiss 75A-4 Mohawk | Air defense. Squadron code XY | |
| Expeditionary Fighter Flight No. 3 | Esquadrilha Expedicionária de Caça Nº 3 | 1941–? | Rabo de Peixe Airfield, Azores | Curtiss 75A-4 Mohawk | Air defense | |
| 4 Flight | Esquadrilha 4 | 1943–? | Ota Airfield | Bell P-39L Airacobra | Air combat squadron. Also designated as Airacobra Squadron/Flight. Squadron code "OK" | |
| SU Flight | Esquadrilha SU | 1943–1944 | Ota Airfield | Hawker Hurricane IIC | ||
| TY Flight | Esquadrilha TY | 1943–1944 | Ota Airfield | Hawker Hurricane IIB | ||
| VX Flight | Esquadrilha VX | 1943–1944 | Ota Airfield | Hawker Hurricane IIC | ||
| XZ Flight | Esquadrilha XZ | 1943–1944 | Tancos Airfield | Supermarine Spitfire I | Air defense squadron. Transferred to Ota as XZ 3rd Squadron | |
| Information and Reconnaissance Group | Grupo de Reconhecimento e Informação | 1943–1952 | Tancos Airfield | Westland Lysander IIIA | Reconnaissance and liaison squadron | |
| 1st Flight / MR Flight | Esquadrilha 1 / Esquadrilha MR | 1944–? | Ota Airfield | Supermarine Spitfire V | Air defense squadron | |
| 2nd Flight / RL Flight | Esquadrilha 2 / Esquadrilha RL | 1944–? | Ota Airfield | Supermarine Spitfire V | Air defense squadron | |
| Independent Fighter Aviation Squadron / VX Flight | Esquadrilha Independente de Aviação de Caça (EIAC) / Esquadrilha VX | 1944–1946 | Portela Airfield | Hawker Hurricane IIC | Air combat squadron | |
| ZE Flight | Esquadrilha ZE | 1944–? | Ota Airfield | Bristol Blenheim, Supermarine Spitfire, North American T-6 Texan | ||
| GL Flight | Esquadrilha GL | 1944–? | Tancos Airfield | Hawker Hurricane | ||
| Squadron 41 | Esquadra 41 | 1947–1952 | Lajes Air Base | SB-17G Flying Fortress, Douglas C-54 Skymaster, SC-54/HC-54 Searchmaster | Search and rescue and maritime patrol squadron | |
| RV Flight | Esquadrilha RV | 1942–1948 | Espinho Airfield | Hawker Hurricane | ||
| Independent Fighter Aviation Group | Grupo Independente de Aviação de Caça (GIAC) | 1948–1952 | Espinho Airfield | Hawker Hurricane | Air defense squadron. Merger of squadrons VX and RV | |
| Training and Transport Flight | Esquadrilha de Treino e Transporte (ETT) | 1947–1952 | Granja do Marquês Airfield | Avro Anson T.1, Avro 626 | Training and transport. Replaced by PoAF's 1st Transport Squadron | |
The basic aircraft unit of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) is the squadron (Portuguese: Esquadra), which is under the command and part of an operational group (Portuguese: Grupo Operacional). These operational groups are dependent of an air base and commonly use a numerical designation related to the air base's own numerical designation. (Example: Grupo Operacional 11 is dependent of Air Base No. 11.)
Since the Air Force's reorganization of 1978, squadrons have used a three digit designation, with some squadrons starting to adopt this designation system in 1977. The first digit indicates the squadron's primary mission, while the second digit indicates the type of aircraft operated, and with the third digit being a sequential number.
Primary mission designation:
1 – Instruction squadron;
2 – Fighter squadron;
3 – Attack squadron;
4 – Reconnaissance squadron;
5 – Transport squadron;
6 – Maritime patrol squadron;
7 – Search and Rescue squadron;
8 – Special function squadron;
Designation of the type of aircraft operated by the squadron:
0 – Fixed-wing aircraft;
1 – Mixed;
5 – Rotary-wing aircraft;
Until 1977, and prior to this designation system, the PoAF used both numerical designations and names for its flying squadrons. Names were almost exclusively used for small local liaison and transport units and dedicated training squadrons.
The squadrons that used a numerical designation received it based on the air base or base airfield number at which they were based in addition to a sequential number. In example, 51 and 52 Squadron were based at Air Base No. 5 and 122 Squadron was based at Air Base No. 12. Units based at base airfields (Portuguese: Aeródromo Base) received a zero as an additional digit in their numeric designation to help differentiate them from units based at air bases. In example, 501 Squadron was based at Base Airfield No. 5.
| Name | Native name | Nickname | Active | Base | Aircraft | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Transport Flight | 1ª Esquadra de Transportes | 1952–1953 | Portela Airfield | C-54 Skymaster | Transport flight, replaced by 1st Military Air Transport Grouping | ||
| 1st Military Air Transport Grouping | 1º Agrupamento de Transportes Aéreos Militares | 1953–1961 | Portela Airfield | C-54 Skymaster | Transport unit, replaced by 81 Squadron | ||
| 2nd Military Air Transport Grouping | 2º Agrupamento de Transportes Aéreos Militares | 1960–1961 | Air Base 6, Montijo | DC-6 | Transport unit, replaced by 82 Squadron | ||
| 81 Squadron | Esquadra 81 | 1953–1972 | Portela Airfield | C-54 Skymaster | Transport squadron, re-designated as 131 Squadron | ||
| Liaison and Training Flight | Esquadrilha de Ligação e Treino | Air Base 2, Ota | Avro Anson T.1, T-6 Texan, Miles Magister I | ||||
| 10 Squadron | Esquadra 10 | 1952–1956 | Air Base 2, Ota | F-47D Thunderbolt | Transferred to Tancos Air Base in 1955 | ||
| 11 Squadron | Esquadra 11 | 1952–1956 | Air Base 2, Ota | F-47D Thunderbolt | Transferred to Tancos Air Base in 1955 | ||
| 41 Squadron | Esquadra 41 | 1952–1976 | Air Base 4, Lajes | SB-17G Flying Fortress, Douglas C-54 Skymaster, SC-54/HC-54 Searchmaster | Search and rescue and maritime patrol squadron. Replaced by 42 Squadron and 503 Squadron Golfinhos | ||
| 20 Squadron | Esquadra 20 | 1953–? | Air Base 2, Ota | F-47D Thunderbolt, T-33 Shooting Star | Air combat and training squadron. First squadron of the Portuguese Air Force to be equipped with jet aircraft | ||
| 21 Squadron | Esquadra 21 | 1954–196? | Air Base 2, Ota | F-84G Thunderjet | Air combat squadron | ||
| 22 Squadron | Esquadra 22 | 1955–1956 | Air Base 2, Ota | F-84G Thunderjet, T-33 Shooting Star | Air combat and advanced combat training | ||
| Composite Squadron | Esquadra Mista | 1954–? | "Sacadura Cabral" Naval Air Station, Montijo | G-44 Widgeon, T-6 Texan, SB2C Helldiver | |||
| Anti-Submarine Operational Training Squadron | Esquadra de Intrução Operacional Anti-Submarino | ? | "Gago Coutinho" Aviation School, São Jacinto | SB2C Helldiver | |||
| Elementary Flying Training Squadron | Esquadra de Instrução Elementar de Pilotagem (EIEP) | 195?–1974 | "Gago Coutinho" Aviation School, São Jacinto (later Air Base 7) | Tiger Moth, DHC-1 Chipmunk | Re-designated as 21 Squadron | ||
| Liaison and Training Flight | Esquadrilha de Ligação e Treino | 1955–1955 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Airspeed Oxford, Piper L-21 | |||
| Composite Squadron | Esquadra Mista | 1956–1959 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Airspeed Oxford, Piper L-21, Junkers Ju 52 | Portuguese: Esquadra Mista | ||
| Complementary Flying Training Squadron | Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem (EICP) | Caracóis (Snails) | 1956–1957 | Air Base 2, Ota | T-33 Shooting Star | Re-designated as Fighter Aircraft Complementary Flying Training Squadron (EICPAC – Esquadra de Instrução Complementar em Aviões de Caça) | |
| 103 Squadron / Fighter Aircraft Complementary Flying Training Squadron | Esquadra 103 / Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Aviões de Caça | 1957–1977 | Air Base 5, Monte Real | T-33 Shooting Star | Training and fighter operational conversion. Re-designated as 103 Squadron | ||
| Heavy Aircraft Navigation and Complementary Training Squadron | Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem e Navegação em Aviões Pesados (EICPNAP) | 1959–1963 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Junkers Ju 52 | Heavy aircraft navigational and complementary training squadron | ||
| Parachute Troops Transport and Training Squadron | Esquadra de Treino e Transporte de Tropas Paraquedistas (ETTTP) | 1963–1971 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Junkers Ju 52 | Transport and training squadron. Replaced by 32 Squadron | ||
| 1 Basic Flying Training Squadron | Esquadra de Instrução Básica de Pilotagem nº 1 (EIBP 1) | 1964–? | Air Base 7, São Jacinto | T-6 Texan | Basic flight training | ||
| 2 Basic Flying Training Squadron | Esquadra de Instrução Básica de Pilotagem nº 2 (EIBP 2) | Panchos (Panchos) | 1963–1977 | Air Base 1, Sintra | Cessna T-37C | Elementary flight training squadron. Two flights: Esquadrilha n° 1, "Feras" (Beasts), and Esquadrilha n° 2, "Águias" (Eagles). Re-designated as 102 Squadron | |
| Heavy Aircraft Complementary Training Squadron | Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Aviões Pesados (EICAP) | 1960–? | Air Base 4, Lajes | C-47 Dakota, C-54 Skymaster | |||
| 61 Squadron | Esquadra 61 | 1956–1977 | Air Base 6, Montijo | PV-2 Harpoon, P2V-5 Neptune | Anti-submarine and maritime patrol squadron. Maintained several temporary Neptune detachments in Africa until the end of the Colonial War | ||
| 62 Squadron | Esquadra 62 | 1956–1961 | Air Base 6, Montijo | PV-2 Harpoon | Anti-submarine, maritime patrol and ground attack. Deployed to Africa | ||
| 50 Squadron | Esquadra 50 | 1958 | Air Base 2, Ota | F-86F Sabre | Reformed as 51 Squadron | ||
| 51 Squadron | Esquadra 51 | Falcões (Falcons) | 1959–1978 | Air Base 5, Monte Real | F-86F Sabre, Fiat G.91, T-38A Talon | Aircraft assigned to the squadron used a blue tail scheme. Re-designated as 201 Squadron | |
| 52 Squadron | Esquadra 52 | Galos (Roosters) | 1959–1961 | Air Base 5, Monte Real | F-86F Sabre | Aircraft assigned to the squadron used a red tail scheme | |
| 82 Squadron | Esquadra 82 | 1961–1972 | Portela Airfield | DC-6 | Transport squadron. Re-designated as 132 Squadron | ||
| 91 Squadron | Esquadra 91 | 1961–1975 | Air Base 9, Luanda | PV-2 Harpoon, Fiat G.91R/4 | Ground attack and reconnaissance | ||
| 92 Squadron | Esquadra 92 | Elefantes (Elephants) | 1961–1974 | Air Base 9, Luanda | Nord Noratlas | ||
| 93 Squadron | Esquadra 93 | Magníficos (Magnificences) | 1961–? | Air Base 9, Luanda | F-84G Thunderjet, B-26 Invader | ||
| 94 Squadron | Esquadra 94 | Moscas (Flies) | 1963–1975 | Air Base 9, Luanda | Alouette II and Alouette III | Helicopter squadron | |
| 103 Squadron | Esquadra 103 | 1962 | Air Base 10, Beira | PV-2 Harpoon | Ground attack and reconnaissance squadron. Activated on February 1 and re-designated as 101 Squadron on November 19, 1962 | ||
| 101 Squadron | Esquadra 101 | 1962–? | Air Base 10, Beira | PV-2 Harpoon | Ground attack and reconnaissance squadron | ||
| 102 Squadron | Esquadra 102 | 1962–? | Air Base 10, Beira | Nord Noratlas | |||
| Liaison and Training Squadron | Esquadra de Ligação e Treino | Air Base 10, Beira | Auster D.5, T-6 Texan | ||||
| Operational Squadron | Esquadra Operacional | Base Airfield 3, Negage | Dornier Do 27 | Portuguese: Esquadra Operacional do Aeródromo Base Nº 3 | |||
| Airplane and Helicopter Mix Training Squadron | Esquadra Mista de Instrução de Aviões e Helicópteros (EMIAH) | 1965–1968 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Alouette II and Alouette III | |||
| 121 Squadron | Esquadra 121 | Cafeteiras (Coffee pots) | 1965 | Air Base 12, Bissau | Dornier Do 27 | Forward air controller, liaison and close air support squadron | |
| 121 Squadron | Esquadra 121 | Tigres (Tigers) | 1966 | Air Base 12, Bissau | Fiat G.91 | Close air support and air defense squadron | |
| 121 Squadron | Esquadra 121 | Roncos (Roars) | 1967–? | Air Base 12, Bissau | T-6 Texan | Forward air controller and close air support squadron | |
| 122 Squadron | Esquadra 122 | Canibais (Cannibals) | 1969–? | Air Base 12, Bissau | Alouette III | Close air support and tactical transport squadron. Alouette III armed with 20 mm cannons. Two flights: Canibais and Lobo Mau (Big Bad Wolf) | |
| 123 Squadron | Esquadra 123 | 1969–? | Air Base 12, Bissau | Nord Noratlas, Dornier Do 27 | |||
| Liaison, Training and Rescue Squadron | Esquadra de Ligação Treino e Socorro (ELTS) | 1970–? | Portela Airfield | C-47 Dakota, C-45 Expeditor, Max Holste Broussard | Liaison, transport and search and rescue squadron | ||
| 31 Squadron | Esquadra 31 | Tigres (Tigers) | 1970–? | Air Base 3, Tancos | T-6 Texan, Dornier Do 27, Auster D.5 | Liaison, reconnaissance and close air support squadron. Mix Operational Squadron (Portuguese: Esquadra Operacional Mista) | |
| 32 Squadron | Esquadra 32 | 1971–1978 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Junkers Ju 52, Nord Noratlas | Transport aircraft squadron | ||
| 33 Squadron / Helicopter Complementary Training Squadron | Esquadra 33 / Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Helicópteros (EICH) | Zangões (Drones) | 1968–1978 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Alouette II, Alouette III | ||
| 402 Squadron | Esquadra 402 | Saltimbancos (Mountebanks) | 1969–1975 | Base Airfield 4, Henrique de Carvalho | Alouette III | ||
| 403 Squadron | Esquadra 403 | 1971–? | Base Airfield 4, Henrique de Carvalho | PV-2 Harpoon, C-47 Dakota | |||
| 501 Squadron | Esquadra 501 | Tigres (Tigers) | 1969–? | Base Airfield 5, Nacala | T-6 Texan, Dornier Do 27 | Close air support and reconnaissance squadron | |
| 502 Squadron | Esquadra 502 | Jaguares (Jaguars) | 1969–? | Base Airfield 5, Nacala | Fiat G.91R/4 | Close air support, air defense, and reconnaissance squadron | |
| 503 Squadron | Esquadra 503 | Índios (Indians) | 1967–1975 | Base Airfield 5, Nacala | Alouette III | ||
| 601 Squadron | Esquadra 601 | Venenosos (Poisonous) | Base Airfield 6, Nova Freixo | T-6 Texan | Liaison and close air support squadron | ||
| 701 Squadron | Esquadra 701 | Muskardos | Base Airfield 7, Tete | T-6 Texan, Dornier Do 27, Cessna 185 | Liaison and close air support squadron | ||
| 702 Squadron | Esquadra 702 | Escorpiões (Scorpions) | 1969–? | Base Airfield 7, Tete | Fiat G.91R/4 | Close air support, air defense, and reconnaissance squadron | |
| 703 Squadron | Esquadra 703 | Vampiros (Vampires) | Base Airfield 7, Tete | Alouette III, SA 330 Puma | Transport and MEDEVAC squadron | ||
| B-26 Detachment | Destacamento B-26 | Diabos (Devils) | 1970 | Air Base 12, Bissau | B-26 Invader | Operational testing of the B-26 in tropical environment | |
| 801 Squadron | Esquadra 801 | Base Airfield 8, Lourenço Marques | C-47 Dakota | Transport squadron | |||
| 802 Squadron | Esquadra 802 | Pegasos (Pegasus) | Base Airfield 8, Lourenço Marques | T-6 Texan | Close air support | ||
| 131 Squadron | Esquadra 131 | 1971 | Portela Airfield | DC-6 | Transport squadron | ||
| 132 Squadron | Esquadra 132 | 1971–1976 | Portela Airfield | Boeing 707-3F5C | Transport squadron | ||
| 21 Squadron | Esquadra 21 | Magos (Wizards) | 1974–1976 | Air Base 2, Ota | DHC-1 Chipmunk | Elementary flight training squadron | |
| 701 Squadron | Esquadra 701 | Jakarés (Alligators) | 1975–1994 | Air Base 2, Ota | Cessna Skymaster FTB-337G | Liaison and transport. Re-designated as 505 Squadron | |
| 42 Squadron | Esquadra 42 | 1976–1977 | Air Base 4, Lajes | SA 330 Puma | Search and rescue squadron. Re-designated as 752 Squadron | ||
| 101 Squadron | Esquadra 101 | Roncos (Roars) | 1978–curr. | Air Base 11, Beja[1] | TB 30 Epsilon | Elementary and basic flying training squadron | |
| 102 Squadron | Esquadra 102 | Panchos (Panchos) | 1977–1992 | Air Base 1, Sintra | Cessna T-37C | Elementary flight training squadron | |
| 103 Squadron | Esquadra 103 | Caracóis (Snails) | 1955–curr. | Air Base 11, Beja | T-33 Shooting Star, T-38 Talon, Alpha Jet | Complementary flight training and operational transition training squadron | |
| 111 Squadron | Esquadra 111 | 1978–1993 | Air Base 3, Tancos | Alouette II, Alouette III, C-212 Aviocar | Fixed-wing multi-engine flight and helicopter flight instruction | ||
| 201 Squadron | Esquadra 201 | Falcões (Falcons) | 1978–1981 1993–curr. | Air Base 5, Monte Real | F-16 Fighting Falcon | ||
| 301 Squadron | Esquadra 301 | Jaguares (Jaguars) | 1978–curr. | Air Base 5, Monte Real | Fiat G.91, Alpha Jet, F-16 Fighting Falcon | ||
| 302 Squadron | Esquadra 302 | Falcões (Falcons) | 1981–1996 | Air Base 5, Monte Real | A-7 Corsair II | Attack and air defense squadron | |
| 304 Squadron | Esquadra 304 | Magníficos (Magnificences) | 1984–1999 | Air Base 5, Monte Real | A-7 Corsair II | Attack and air defense squadron | |
| 401 Squadron | Esquadra 401 | Cientistas (Scientists) | 1966–2011 | Air Base 6, Montijo | C-212 Aviocar | Photographic survey, reconnaissance, and maritime patrol squadron | |
| 501 Squadron | Esquadra 501 | Bisontes (Bisons) | 1977–curr. | Air Base 6, Montijo | C-130 Hercules | Transport squadron | |
| 502 Squadron | Esquadra 502 | Elefantes (Elephants) | 1978–curr. | Air Base 6, Montijo | C-212 Aviocar, C-295M | Tactical and general transport, maritime patrol, MEDEVAC squadron. Detachment operating from Lajes Air Base | |
| 503 Squadron | Esquadra 503 | Golfinhos (Dolphins) | 1977–1993 | Air Base 4, Lajes | C-212 Aviocar | Transport and maritime patrol squadron, initially designated as Maritime Patrol and Transport Squadron (Portuguese: Esquadra de Transporte e Patrulhamento Marítimo). Merged into 711 Squadron | |
| 504 Squadron | Esquadra 504 | Linces (Lynxes) | 1985–curr. | Air Base 6, Montijo | Dassault Falcon 20DC, Dassault Falcon 50 | VIP transport and medical evacuation squadron | |
| 505 Squadron | Esquadra 505 | Jakarés (Alligators) | 1994–2005 | Air Base 6, Montijo | Cessna Skymaster FTB-337G | Liaison and transport. Also designated as 505 Flight (Portuguese: Esquadrilha 505) | |
| 551 Squadron | Esquadra 551 | 1978–1986 | Air Base 6, Montijo | Alouette III | Tactical air transport | ||
| 552 Squadron | Esquadra 552 | Zangões (Drones) | 1978–curr. | Air Base 1, Sintra | AW119 Mk II Koala | Tactical air transport, helicopter flight training squadron. Search and rescue detachment operating from Ovar | |
| 711 Squadron | Esquadra 711 | Albatrozes (Albatrosses) | 1993–2008 | Air Base 4, Lajes | SA 330 Puma, C-212 Aviocar | Search and rescue and MEDEVAC squadron | |
| 751 Squadron | Esquadra 751 | Pumas (Pumas) | 1978–curr. | Air Base 1, Sintra | EH-101 Merlin | Search and rescue and transport squadron. Detachment operating from Lajes Air Base | |
| 752 Squadron | Esquadra 752 | Pumas (Pumas) | 1977–1993 2008–2011 | Air Base 4, Lajes | SA 330 Puma | Search and rescue and transport squadron. Merged into 711 Squadron | |
| 601 Squadron | Esquadra 601 | Lobos (Wolves) | 1986–curr. | Air Base 11, Beja | P-3 Orion | Maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare | |
| 802 Squadron | Esquadra 802 | Águias (Eagles) | 1977–curr. | Air Base 11, Sintra | Schleicher ASK 21, DHC-1 Chipmunk, LET L-23 | Air Force Academy flight instruction squadron | |