Portuguese C-390 will be based at Beja

Contrary to an earlier report on where the new transport aircraft for the Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) will be based, it has now been revealed this will be Base Aérea (BA) 11 Beja.

Currently a new hangar for the Embraer C-390 Millennium is under construction at the air base. It is also reported that the new aircraft will be operated by a new transport squadron, Esquadra 506.

BA11 Beja is one of the most important military air bases in Portugal, located nine kilometres northwest of Beja, and 100 kilometres north of Algarve. It is used by the FAP and has two parallel runways; 01L/R-19L/R. Currently the air base is home to two training squadrons, Esq101 Roncos (Roars) with the TB-30 Epsilon and Esq552 Zangões (Drones) with the AW119Kx Koala, and one maritime patrol squadron, Esq601 Lobos (Wolves) with the P-3C Orion.

Photo by Embraer