6-5… in the fight!

LAJES FIELD, Portugal– Lajes Field provides a power projection platform that postures our U.S. forces to support joint operations, and these operations are successful through the partnership of our host nation military, the Portuguese Air Force.  A great example of this was the successful deployment of eight U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft and the reception and staging of 220 personnel from Commander Task Force – 67, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, in November 2019.

Task Force 67’s official mission is to provide responsive, interoperable, and expeditionary combat ready maritime patrol aircraft and supporting forces to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, NATO, and Unified Commanders to conduct effective Anti-Submarine Warfare, maintain Maritime Domain Awareness, enhance regional stability, promote cooperative maritime safety and security, and be decisive while conducting overseas contingency operations.

Team Lajes enabled 320 operational flight hours for CTF-67’s VP-16, VP-26, and VP-4 flying squadrons and guaranteed their facility, logistical, communication, and maintenance requirements were met.  In total, 37 operational sorties were completed and 2300 sonobuoys released supporting one of NAVEUR’s primary mission priorities.

Overall, the mission included the successful launch and recovery of 16 aircraft including C-40s and C-130s, and supported in-theater ASW tasking.