Open Day'23 - Aeródromo de Manobra Nº1 Maceda
As part of the celebrations for the 71st anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force, the bases in Portugal and the archipelagos opened their doors to the public, showing the units that exist there and their missions.
On July 16, it was the turn of Aeródromo de Manobra Nº1, located in Maceda, Ovar. This base currently has a permanent detachment from the 552 "Zangões" Squadron, which operates the AW 119 Koala helicopter and is responsible for ensuring Search and Rescue on the coast and in remote areas. AM1 is also home to the Air Force Dog Training Center which, since 1985, has been training Polícia Aérea dog units for a wide range of operations, from security to detecting explosives or drugs.
In the North Hangar, visitors were offered various exhibits from different units such as the Polícia Aérea, where all the material, individual light weaponry and collective heavy weaponry used by this force was on display, the OPSAS (Assistance and Rescue Systems Operator) who are responsible for responding to different types of emergencies within the airfield, among others. There were also various civilian exhibitors such as pilot training schools, the 509th Tigers simulation flight squadron and various local gastronomy businesses.
Also inside the hangar we had a stand from the Air Force recruitment center and an area dedicated to providing visitors with a VR experience.
In the morning, we saw the arrival of two Chipmunk MK20s from the Air Force Academy which, before landing, performed a flight demonstration.
Also in the morning, the AW119 Koala helicopter from the "Zangões" Squadron gave a Search and Rescue demonstration, where they simulated the rescue of a victim using the Quick Strop, which is a piece of equipment that allows a quick and safe way of removing the victim, but only if they are conscious and not seriously injured. After this demonstration, they passed through the taxiway and took the opportunity to greet the visitors present.
It wouldn't be a "party" at an Air Force base if there weren't flyovers by the F16s, which once again, with their speed and roar, gave the rest of us a view that always appeals to any Air Force admirer.
At the end of the day, military personnel from the Air Force Dog Training Center gave a demonstration of how well the human-dog duo works. Their level of harmony is tremendous and shows how "man's best friend" can provide support in the most diverse types of missions, from security and conflict management to the detection of explosives and drugs. At the end, there was a simulation of a hostile barricaded with a firearm, where the use of a canine unit had many advantages for the security team, whose mission was to stop the hostile without resorting to lethal force.
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