Portuguese SAR helicopter fleet

The Montijo air base is one of the most important air bases of the Portuguese Air Force. In fact, it is there where is based the C-130 fleet, the EH-101 fleet, as well as the P-3C fleet. An interesting fact: from its huge area we can see, on the oposite side of the Tagus river, the portuguese capital - Lisbon.

Recently, I had the opportuniy of visiting the unit which operates the EH-101 Merlin fleet - 751 Sqn. "Pumas -, whose main mission is conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations along the portuguese coastline and maritime area.

Portugal has received twelve EH-101 Merlin helicopters. The photo shows one of them prepared for a new mission. [click to enlarge].

Pedro Monteiro