504 Squadron (Portugal)

504 Squadron "Linces" (Esquadra 504) is a special transport squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF). The unit operates the Dassault Falcon 50, and is based at Air Base No. 6, in Montijo, and also operates from the Lisbon Portela Airport.

504 Squadron
Esquadra 504
Dassault Falcon 50 of 504 Squadron
ActiveJanuary 12, 1985
Country Portugal
BranchPortuguese Air Force
RoleTransport
Part ofOperational Group 61
Garrison/HQAir Base No. 6
Nickname(s)Linces (Lynxes)
Motto(s)«Entre gente remota edificaram»
Mascot(s)Iberian lynx
WebsiteEsquadra 504
Commanders
CommanderLt. Col. Sérgio Lino de Almeida Estrela[1]
Aircraft flown
TransportDassault Falcon 50

The squadron is responsible for VIP transport of high level government officials, medical evacuation, urgent transport of human organs for transplant, and verification and calibration of navigational aids.[1]

History

The squadron was officially formed on January 12, 1985, at Air Base No. 6 (Portuguese: Base Aérea Nº 6, BA6) upon the purchase of three Dassault Falcon 20, from Federal Express in 1984, for the transport of high level officials of the Portuguese government.[1]

Two Dassault Falcon 50 were later acquired in 1989 and one more was purchased in 1991 to reinforce the squadron's aircraft fleet.[2]

Starting from 1990 the squadron was permanently detached to the Transit Airfield No. 1 (Portuguese: Aeródromo de Trânsito Nº 1, AT1) in Lisbon.[2]

Aircraft

See also

References
  1. "Esquadra 504 - Linces". Portuguese Air Force. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  2. "Sobre a Esquadra 504 - Linces". 504 Squadron. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
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