Navy Day of 2006

The Dia da Marinha (Navy Day) in 2006 took place, in the city of Sines, on 20th May. This day celebrates the arrival of Vasco da Gama, by maritime travel, to India. The official cerimony included a demonstration of capabilities by the combat surface units and the Corpo de Fuzileiros (marines). The report was made for the Spanish magazine Fuerzas Militares del Mundo.

A Vasco da Gama class frigate (Meko 200PN) supports with her organic Super Lynx helicopter the projection of the amphibious force. At second plan, the Berrio, the support ship of the portuguese Navy.

A portuguese marine, armed withe G-3 assault riffle with a 7,62mm caliber. The special operations unit uses the modern G-36K.

The official cerimony. In the official speach, the Chief of Navy Staff, Almirante Melo Gomes, has anounced that the third patrol ship (OPV) of the Viana do Castelo class would be named Sines. This ship is the first of the variant for pollution combat - the Navy will recieved two of these ships and other six of the patrol version. Currently, the first two ships of the classe are being constructed at Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC) and will be delivery in 2008.

Former Minister of National Defence, Luís Amado, contacts with the unit of marines that made the demonstration.

A model of the U209PN submarine. In fact, this submarine is a U214. It will be armed with Black Shark heavy torpedos, MN 102 Murena mines and anti-ship missiles - probably the UGM-84 Sub Harpoon. It will have an AIP system that allows a higher range and discreteness. The portuguese navy will recieve in 2010, the first of the two submarines.

The anti-aircraft guns of Baptista Andrade class corvettes.

Pedro Monteiro

Rosa Brava 07

The portuguese Army has conducted in April an exercise involving its heavy brigade, the Brigada Mecanizada (Mechanized Brigade). The exercise, called Rosa Brava 07 has mobilized 1.230 men and 267 vehicles. In the same period, and also at Campo Militar de Santa Margarida, where the operational units of the Brigada Mecanizada are based, another exercise - Eficácia 07 - was conducted involving the artillery and fire support units of the portuguese Armed Forces. I made a report on 19th April for the spanish magazine Fuerzas Militares del Mundo.

A M109 A5 howitzer in firing position.

M60 A3 TTS tanks of Brigada Mecanizada whose operation will probably end by 2008 with the reception of the new Leopard 2 A6, currently operated by The Netherlands.

A M60 main battle tank fires its 105mm gun.

The press received detailed explanations from the military evolved in the exercise. The new century has brought new challenges, such as the need of more cooperation with the press.

The following units have been involved on the operations:
Brigada Mecanizada (mechanized infantary); Brigada de Reacção Rápida (the operational and elite forces brigade, partipated with an unit of para-troops); Brigada de Intervenção (medium brigade, a cavalary unit was deployed); troops and equipment from Escola Prática de Artilharia and Regimento de Artilharia Nº 4; fire support units (mortars) from Regimento de Infantaria Nº 13, Regimento de Guarnição Nº 1 e Regimento de Guarnição Nº 3. The Navy deployed a fire support unit (mortars) of the Corpo de Fuzileiros (marines). In the case of the Air Force, F-16 OCU and Alpha-Jet fighters had made some missions, as the Alouette III helicopters in transport and logistic support role.

Na manhã do dia 19Abr07 realizar-se-á o Distinguished Visitors Day destes exercícios, que incluirá uma demonstração do Pelotão de Aquisição de Objectivos e Pelotão de Defesa NBQ e um exercício táctico com fogos reais, integrando ossistemas funcionais de Combate, Apoio de Combate, Apoio de Fogos e Apoio de Serviços orgânicos das Unidades participantes nos exercícios. Desde 13Abr07 até 20Abr07, decorrem no Campo Militar de Santa Margarida (CMSM) e de forma integrada, os Exercícios “ROSA BRAVA 07” (exercício da Brigada Mecanizada) e “EFICÁCIA 07” (exercício do Comando Operacional do Exército).

Pedro Monteiro

Pedro Monteiro: Photography and Reports

Pedro Monteiro has published articles in Portuguese magazines such as Motor Clássico, Vega and Sirius as well as foreign magazines such as Fuerzas Militares del Mundo (Spain, www.fuerzasmilitares.com), Tankograd Militärfahrzeug (Germany) and Tecnologia & Defesa (Brazil).

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