Bettering bilateral relations: American and Portuguese military leaders foster relationships

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. George Tobias
  • 65th ABW Pubic Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Top Portuguese military officers and noncommissioned officers, stationed on Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal, paid a visit to Lajes Field hosted by the 65th Air Base Wing Jan. 5 and 7. 

Jan. 5, Sergeant Major Paulo Reis Costa of Regimental Garrison Number 1 in the City of Angra, toured Lajes Field at the invitation of Chief Master Sgt. Douglas McIntyre, 65th Air Base Wing command chief, as a way to thank the Portuguese army garrison for a visit hosted by the Sgt. Maj. Costa for Lajes Field NCOs last March. 

On Jan. 7, Col. Peggy Poore, 65th ABW commander, invited Col. Leonardo Oliveira, Head Quarters Azorean Air Zone chief of staff; Col. Luis Ruivo, Air Base Number 4 commander; Col. Jose Abracos, RG1 commander; and CDR. Joao Goncalves, Port Captain for Angra and Praia, to Lajes Field to show the mission of the 65th ABW and how the U.S. Air Force operates. 

"It was an awesome event," said Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Rita, 65th ABW Political Affairs. "[The Portuguese military] were very impressed with our operations." 

Everywhere they went, it was impossible not to see the pride and dedication of the Airmen stationed here. The groups were taken to see a wide range of operations done here, from the 65th Medical Group where they got to see how a U.S. Air Force medical team works and how it partners with the local community, to the 65th Operations Support Squadron, where they could see how flight operations are handled and how the base works with the Portuguese air force as well as civilian aviation. 

"I really appreciated the visit to the [American] side of [AB4]," said Colonel Abracos. "Mutual knowledge is a fundamental basis for good cooperation."

These visits are an example of the strong bilateral relations Lajes Field shares with the local community and military was a chance for the Airmen of Lajes Field to interact with members of the Portuguese army, navy and air force.