There are moments when even places built for vigilance are caught off guard. Air bases, shaped for speed and readiness, are rarely associated with stillness or vulnerability. Yet after the passage of Storm Kristin, the runways of Monte Real Air Base stood under a different kind of silence — one left behind by wind rather than flight.
At least four F-16 fighter jets were damaged during the storm, according to information confirmed by military and governmental sources. The aircraft, part of Portugal’s core air defense capability, were affected as violent gusts swept through the region, striking hangars and exposed equipment with unusual force.
The damage is believed to reach several million euros, although a full technical assessment is still underway. Initial evaluations point to structural impacts caused by debris, roof failures, and extreme wind pressure that exceeded design expectations for stationary aircraft.
Monte Real, located in Leiria district, lies close to areas that recorded some of the strongest gusts during the depression. In those early hours, the storm’s intensity left little margin for preventive maneuvering. Aircraft that could not be relocated in time were exposed to conditions rarely experienced at ground level.
Military technicians and engineers have since begun detailed inspections, focusing not only on visible damage but on internal systems, sensors, and structural alignment — elements that determine whether an aircraft can safely return to operational status.
The Air Force has emphasized that national airspace security remains assured. Operational readiness, officials say, has not been compromised, as contingency measures and fleet distribution continue to provide coverage.
Still, the episode carries symbolic weight. Fighter jets — icons of control and precision — were rendered momentarily defenseless by atmospheric force alone. It is a reminder that modern defense infrastructure, no matter how advanced, remains intertwined with environmental realities.
As repair plans are drawn and insurance and accountability procedures begin, the base returns gradually to routine. The storm has passed, but its imprint remains — not only in damaged material, but in the quiet understanding that even the most fortified spaces share the same sky.
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Sources RTP Notícias SIC Notícias Observador Jornal de Notícias Lusa News Agency