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Azores Air Zone Command

MISSION


COMPETENCE

Mission

Plan, direct and control the readiness of weapon systems, when assigned, ensure respect for national sovereignty, under the terms provided for in applicable international agreements, during the stationing of foreign forces, plan, direct and control air activity, in its area of responsibility, for the execution of plans and directives approved by superiors, to ensure, under the terms established in the respective international agreements, relations with foreign forces stationed in base units in their hierarchical dependence, without prejudice to the competences of their commanders.

Responsibilities

a) Plan, direct and control air activity, in its area of ​​responsibility, for the execution of plans and directives approved by superiors;

b) Ensure, under the terms provided for in the applicable international agreements, relations with foreign forces stationed at Air Base N.º 4, without prejudice to the competences of the commander of this unit;

c) Ensure, under the terms of the law, the liaison with the security and civil protection forces and services, in coordination with the Air Commander and the Operational Commander of the Azores;

d) Guarantee the permanent operation of the Lajes Search and Rescue Coordination Center and the effective organization of resources to be used in the control and coordination of search and rescue actions;

e) Support military air transport missions in the Azores Air Zone and between it and the mainland, under the terms of superior directives and regulations;

f) Contribute to the regular allocation of public domain assets under the responsibility of the Air Force in the ZAA;

g) Guarantee the operation of Rádio Lajes;

h) Without prejudice to the command and control modalities to be defined by CEMGFA for the condition of military operations, it articulates with the Operational Command of the Azores;

i) Support the Azores Operational Command according to the respective installed capacities.

HISTORY

In 1956, the Azores Air Zone was created, depending on the 1st Air Region, based in Lisbon, leaving Air Base N.º 4 under its direct dependence, in times of peace, in accordance with Decree-Law 40949, of December 20, 1956.

In 1978, due to the territorial organization, canceled in practice by the end of the war in Africa, due to the need to adjust the organization of the Air Force in the Azores and the need for reorganization for a better use of available resources, the Air Zone of the Azores was extinguished and created, in turn, the Air Command of the Azores, whose commander accumulates the functions of Commander of Air Base n.º 4, according to Decree-Law 212/78, of July 28th.

In 1993, the structure of the Air Force in the Azores undergoes major changes. Thus, by Decree-Law N.º 51/93, of February 26th, the Air Command of the Azores is extinguished, leaving the Air Force to have only one Base Unit at its disposal in the Azores Archipelago: Air Base N.º 4.

Two years later, in 1995, through Decree-Law No. 148/95, of June 24th, the organic structure of the Air Force was changed, creating the Azores Air Zone Command, which temporarily adopted and operated with the organic structure of the extinct Air Command of the Azores.

HIERARCHICAL DEPENDENT