History

The heritage and history of this squadron began in November 1968 with the creation of the Portuguese Air Force 502 Squadron “Jaguares,” located in Nacala, Mozambique (AB5), flying the Fiat G.91. This squadron received its jets from 121 Squadron “Tigres,” which had been operating in Bissalanca, Guinea (AB12), since 1966.

In October 1972, the squadron was deactivated, with some of its pilots and jets being transferred to 93 Squadron “Magníficos,” located in Luanda, Angola (AB9), replacing the Republic F-84G. In August 1974, the Fiat G.91s stationed at BA5 and those from 121 Squadron “Tigres” in Bissalanca, Guinea, were sent to BA6 (Air Base 6) Montijo, forming 62 Squadron, which was organized in accordance with NATO regulations.

Later, 502 Squadron “Jaguares” from Nacala and 702 Squadron “Escorpiões” from Tete returned from Mozambique to reinforce 62 Squadron, leading to today’s patch and name — “Jaguares.” In 1978, the squadron was renumbered as 301 Squadron, its current designation. At that time, it was assigned the missions of Close Air Support, Battlefield Interdiction, and Tactical Reconnaissance. That same year, 301 Squadron participated for the first time in the Tiger Meet in Belgium. A full member since 1979, the squadron has already won the “Silver Tiger” trophy twice (1980 and 1985), keeping the Tiger spirit very much alive.

In 1980, the squadron detached some of its G.91 R/3 aircraft to BA4, located at Lajes, Azores. This detachment later became 303 Squadron “Tigres,” which operated for about 10 years. In 1987, the NATO Tiger Meet was hosted for the first time by the Jaguares at Montijo Air Base.

On 19 April 1988, the Ministry of Defense awarded 301 Squadron the Distinguished Services Gold Medal — one of the highest-ranking distinctions ever given to a Portuguese squadron.

The G.91 made its last official flight on 27 June 1993, having accumulated more than 75,000 flight hours in the Portuguese Air Force. After that, the squadron was moved to BA11 in Beja and received the Alpha Jet. Since its first Alpha Jet flight on 6 October 1993, the squadron flew more than 20,000 hours, participated in several NATO exercises in Europe, and hosted the NATO Tiger Meet in 1996 and 2002. The last Alpha Jet flight took place in November 2005.

Later that same month, on the 25th, the squadron was transferred to BA5 – Monte Real, where it assumed its role as the first F-16 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) squadron in the Portuguese Air Force. Honored with the distinction of flying the most capable jet ever in the Portuguese Air Force — the single-seat, supersonic, multi-role, 9g F-16 MLU — the “Jaguares” have become the frontline all-weather, day-and-night Air Defense and Precision Conventional Attack squadron.