By Saturday afternoon, at Lajes Air Base on the Azorean island of Terceira, at least 32 U.S. military aircraft landed – the local media reported. They noted that this was a evidence number of U.S. machines since Portugal's lease to the United States Army in 1995.
As reported by the Azores media, the increase in the presence of American troops in Terceir is linked to the ongoing US-Israeli attack on Iran.
They noted that among the U.S. military aircraft that are present at Lajes base there are, among others, six radio-electronic combat aircraft Boeing EA-18G Growler.
On Saturday, regional tv RTP Acores clarified that in fresh hours 3 KC-46 Pegasus refueling aircraft landed in Lajes, which increased their full number to 18.
According to local media outside the Boeing EA-18G Growler machines, KC-46 Pegasus aircraft at Lajes base besides present F-16 fighters, as well as at least 1 aircraft to transport large military cargo Boeing C-17.
The presence of US troops in the Azores is governed by the 1995 US-Portuguese agreement, which provides that US air force may usage Lajes for NATO operations.According to estimates of 2025, 165 American soldiers were stationed on Terceira so far supported by 400 Portuguese workers of the Lajes Air Base. In the second half of February, another 400 American soldiers arrived there.
APW, PAP
