FAP in force

This year’s Real Thaw exercise – the ninth – involved aircraft from almost every squadron in the Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force). Jorge Ruivo watched the action. Real Thaw 2017 was very likely the last such exercise for the Portuguese Air Force’s Alpha Jet As. Although not involved every day, two examples were on hand to fly air-to-ground missions including close air support. Jorge Ruivo EXERCISE REPORT Real Thaw 2017 Spanish Hornets took turns with Portuguese F-16s to