Carlos César stated on Thursday afternoon that the Regional Government was very pleased with the appointment of Lieutenant General Alfredo dos Santos Pereira da Cruz to commander of the Azores Operational Command (COA).

The President of the Government, who welcomed that general officer at an audience to exchange compliments, added that “given that all general officers of the Portuguese Armed Forces are required to know the entire national territory in detail, not all have had the opportunity to become acquainted with our problems for so long.”

Stressing that Pereira da Cruz has carried out with great proficiency all his duties in the Region – where we was commander of the “Puma” helicopter squadron, commander of the Air Base 4 and commander of the Air Zone – Carlos César stated that this is a  privilege.

“For us, part of our work is done as the Armed Forces in the Azores are headed by someone who does not require the Government to become acquainted with the circumstances and specificities of the Region, said the President of the Government.

At the end of the meeting, Carlos César also said that the issue concerning the future use of the Lajes Air Base as a training ground for U.S. high-end fighters has already been subject to a technical analysis undertaken by the Air Force as well as by various ministries of the Government of the Republic, from which the Government awaits a political decision.

“I have recently had the opportunity to talk with the Minister of Foreign Affair about this matter and I expect to have more formal moments to address this subject for further development,” stated the President of the Government.