Lajes Field supports combat power

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mark Graff
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Lajes Field demonstrated its ability to support combat power at Open House 2012 here Aug. 5. The base, officially known as Portuguese Air Base Number 4, is jointly operated by the United States and Portuguese Air Forces.

United States Air Force aircraft on static display were two F-15E Strike Eagles, one KC-135 Stratotanker and one C-5 Galaxy, were on hand for this year's event, among other Portuguese Air Force aircraft. While here, the aircraft and crews also conducted various training and equipment certifications with 65th Air Base Wing personnel.

Lajes Field regularly supports these kinds of aircraft, said Col. David Parr, 65th Air Base Wing vice commander.

"Those aircraft on our ramp are a representative sample of the combat power that comes through Lajes everyday. We've got fighters, cargo planes, refueling planes - everything - coming through Lajes Field and we stop at nothing to support these aircraft and their missions," said Parr.

Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Lajes Field, although located on the small island of Terceira, plays an important role in the big picture.

With Air Force aircraft moving between home stations and areas of operation, locations like Lajes Field are ideal for transiting aircrews to stop at when in need of crew rest, refueling or mechanical repairs.

"I've participated in several movements across the Atlantic and Lajes almost always is one of our diverts," said Capt. Jacob Rieth, an F-15E weapons systems officer, with the 492nd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath.

"You have to have some place to stop in the middle of the Atlantic. And there's really not a whole lot of options (in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean)," said Rieth.

Lajes Field is strategically important, said Major Joe Okasinski, 65th Operations Support Squadron director of operations.

"This location provides two strategic pieces. One is the ability to move fighters across the ocean," said Okasinski, a KC-135 pilot by trade. "When it comes to refueling, members of this wing play a direct role in supporting our mission to move iron to the fight."

The other strategic piece, said Okasinski: supporting USAFE and joint operations in Europe and Africa.

"We provide a strategic foothold in the northwest Africa and the western European areas.

We have an ability to support maritime operations throughout the north and central Atlantic and support other contingency operations," said Okasinski.

In addition, the base provides an alternate landing location for aircraft encountering any number of issues preventing further travel, said Master Sgt. Mark Gilbert, a C-5 Galaxy loadmaster with the 337th Airlift Squadron from Chicopee, Mass.

"It's really important to have places like this to refuel or if you're having mechanical difficulties. If not, you're out of luck," said Gilbert.