“We cannot take risks, but the main reason is the great commitment to follow a path that all our allies in Europe have also followed, which is the cancellation of these activities,” stated Air Force Chief of Staff Cartaxo Alves when asked about the suspension of the ‘Open Bases’ initiative.
Alves spoke during a joint visit by the Defense Ministers of Portugal and Sweden, Nuno Melo and Pål Jonson, to Squadron 506 of the Portuguese Air Force at Air Base No. 11 in Beja.
Cartaxo Alves highlighted that Portugal could “take risks” if the Air Force was involved in a major operation like “Open Bases,” scheduled for this month and October, which could lead to “potential incidents” similar to those experienced in Europe.
Security concerns in Europe impact “everyone,” regardless of Portugal’s peripheral location, he noted.
“If we look at Europe, how many European festivals have been canceled this year?” he asked, immediately answering: “All of them.”
“Therefore, these decisions are not made solely by individual countries but are analyzed among partners,” he assured.
The “Open Bases” initiative involves opening several Air Force bases across the country to the public for demonstrations and various activities, including the traditional “flight baptisms” where citizens get to fly in military aircraft.
The Chief of Staff further explained that the increased “operational involvement” in recent times, such as support for Ukraine and emergency medical transport within the country, also contributed to the cancellation of the events.
“We now have almost all NATO combat squadrons here for a major exercise starting this week and ending on the 30th. Thus, there is additional operational commitment beyond the usual activities,” Alves said.
He referred to the ‘Tiger Meet,’ one of NATO’s main annual exercises.
“We align with all our allies and countries, meaning these activities have been canceled, leading to increased operational commitment and training,” he emphasized.
The last base to host this initiative was Air Base No. 1 in Sintra, which took place on the 6th and 7th of this month. Activities also occurred at the Ota, Ovar, and Lages bases in the Azores earlier this year.
The scheduled events at the Monte Real, Montijo, and Beja air bases, at Maneuver Aerodrome No. 3 on Porto Santo island in Madeira, and at the Samora Correia Shooting Range in Alcochete, have been canceled.
