“As soon as the problem is identified, we have one of two possibilities: either we do nothing, or we try to help. And the Air Force takes a step forward because it does not want things to remain the same. Because it wants to offer its assistance. We know that there are many who also want things to stay the same. But we, in National Defense, are on the right side of history at this step,” stated Nuno Melo.
The official and president of the CDS-PP was speaking at the ceremonial opening of the academic year at the Air Force Academy, held at Air Base No. 1 in Sintra, Lisbon district.
Nuno Melo expressed confidence that “many lives will be saved because of this effort, yet another, by the Portuguese Air Force.”
At a time when the suitability of these means for medical emergency missions has been publicly debated, Nuno Melo responded to the criticisms, rejecting any “preference for any type of equipment” since “in this matter, he is not an expert.”
“We live in a country where everyone is an expert. Everyone knows everything. And, apparently, they know a lot about helicopters. And I confess that I do not,” he quipped.
The official defended that his decisions are based on “technical opinions” and insisted that the Air Force already performs such missions in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos.
“I want to emphasize that the Air Force now, regarding this medical emergency, takes another step forward. And it does so selflessly and dispassionately, placing highly qualified and trained pilots, crews, doctors, and nurses at the service of the Portuguese people,” he stated.
Nuno Melo then addressed directly the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Cartaxo Alves, thanking him for his “commitment” and “spirit of mission” in this matter.
On Tuesday, in Oeiras, Nuno Melo had already defended that the Black Hawk helicopters that will be acquired by the Air Force can be used for medical emergencies, detailing that, this year, these aircraft have already landed in 25 helipads across the country.
The minister was reacting to a report that, citing the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), stated that the four Black Hawks the Air Force is going to acquire can only land at one of the seven hospital helipads authorized to receive medical emergency air transports, due to their length.
Nuno Melo explained that the authority with the competence to certify these helicopters is the National Aeronautical Authority, and that military equipment is exempt from the civil dimension, over which the ANAC operates.
The official also assured that “the National Aeronautical Authority has already certified these helicopters to land at all these sites,” detailing that this body also regulates which spaces military helicopters can land in if necessary.
Highlighting the branch’s “technical expertise” in several of its missions, including fighting forest fires or drug trafficking, Nuno Melo praised the Air Force for exploring new dimensions, namely space, through the Portuguese-Spanish project “Atlantic Constellation.”
This partnership aims to build satellites in Portugal that can be sold, with the minister emphasizing that this is an opportunity that will generate “highly qualified jobs, much better paid” and “bring financial return to the national economy.”
“At the moment we are witnessing what many call the third and fourth space race. And what matters to us is to know that, because of this, because of what we are doing in National Defense, through the Air Force, Portugal is at the forefront of this space race. And it is not fiction,” he stated.
Nuno Melo also addressed the students present, emphasizing that he knows they are “harassed every day” by private sector companies to leave the Air Force because of their highly specialized skills, but appealed for them to remain in the military branch, “which embodies the Portuguese nation.”
[Updated at 20:28]
