2021 Lifeguard Course for Military Personnel
Santiago Anacleto • June 4, 2021
As part of a partnership between the 751 Squadron “Pumas”, the Portuguese Air Force and the ISN, a lifeguard course for military personnel was created.
During the month of May, several members of the Portuguese Air Force attended the Lifeguard Course, held at Air Base No.6 in Montijo.
The objective of this course is to train military personnel in the skills of lifeguards, ensuring that all trainees are in the most physically and psychologically fit condition and providing them with the skills and techniques necessary to carry out their mission.
After training in closed swimming pools, the trainees move to the sands of Air Base No.6 in Montijo and face the cold temperatures of the Tagus River (Rio Tejo) while carrying out the various exercises.
View more
The 751 Squadron provides, in the first phase, support for a resistance exercise where trainees will be positioned underneath the EH-101 Merlin, while it hovers at a certain altitude, so that they can feel the effects of the downwash.
In the final phase of the course, 751 participates again by carrying out recovery exercises of the trainees, using the winch.
View more
See more photos here:
For years, the NRP Barracuda (S164) sailed silently in the waters of the Atlantic, carrying out surveillance missions and defending Portugal's maritime sovereignty. Today, it is anchored in time, transformed into Portugal's first submarine museum, allowing visitors to explore its interior and immerse themselves in the history of our Navy.
Between April 7 and 11, the Portuguese Army carried out Exercise BAMBARI 25 at the Santa Margarida Military Field, as part of the preparation of the 17th National Deployed Force (17th FND) that will be deployed to the Central African Republic (República Centro-Africana (RCA)). This force will be integrated as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (Missão Multidimensional Integrada das Nações Unidas para a Estabilização da República Centro-Africana (MINUSCA)).
Aviation and military photography requires a very specific set of tools, where speed, precision and reliability are essential. I recently had the opportunity to test Canon's latest flagship, the EOS R1, alongside a veteran that is still relevant today, the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L USM. The combination of these two pieces of equipment proved to be a top-notch solution for both fast action and low-light scenarios. Here's my experience and impressions of this setup.
Between March 17 and 21, 2025, the Santa Margarida Military Camp in Constância, Portugal, hosted the “STRONG IMPACT 25” multinational military exercise. This exercise brought together nearly 500 military personnel from Portugal, Spain and France, with the aim of training and improving field artillery and anti-aircraft capabilities when employed in high-intensity operations, as well as strengthening interoperability between allied forces.
Between February 4 and 14, Exercise AIRBORNE DAGGER 25 will take place, conducted by the Rapid Reaction Brigade (Brigada de Reação Rápida - BrigRR). The purpose of this exercise is to plan, train and exercise the technical and tactical procedures of an Airborne Operation at Brigade level. The operation includes the airdrop of personnel and material using two Portuguese Air Force tactical airlift aircraft, namely the C-130H from 501 Squadron - “Bisontes” and the KC 390 from 506 Squadron - “Rinocerontes”.
As part of the preparation for the European Union Battlegroup 2025-2/2026-1, the 10.5 Towed Field Artillery Group (No. 4 Artillery Regiment) of the Rapid Reaction Brigade has been involved over the last few days in the Training Field Exercise/Live Fire Exercise (FTX/LFX) phases of exercise TROVÃO 251
From November 18 to 29, the towns of Ponte de Sor, Bemposta and Santa Margarida hosted the first in a series of three exercises aimed at preparing the military for the reality they may encounter in a region affected by a crisis or conflict.
From October 22 to 27, the city of Guarda hosted the Portuguese Army Day Celebrations. These celebrations provided visitors with an immersive experience in the military universe, showcasing the Army's capabilities and the people who serve in it, promoting innovation, commitment to its history and numerous career opportunities.
Following tradition, on September 15 we headed to Monte Real for Open Base Day at Air Base No. 5, the home of fighter aviation. As part of the celebrations for the 72nd anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force, the base opened its doors to the public, showing the visiting public its unit and their missions. As has become customary, there was once again a spotters day where aviation and photography enthusiasts could get close to the action, the perspective from which this report was made.
From the 10th to the 12th of September, the MORSA-SATER Search and Rescue exercise took place once again, with the scenario being the crash of an aircraft. This “crash” led to the activation of the Air Search and Rescue System, a responsibility of the Portuguese Air Force established in Decree-Law 253/95 of September 30.