MISSION
COMPETENCE
Mission
Make available to the Air Force, other branches of the Armed Forces, security forces and defense industries, the spaces and security necessary to carry out practices and experiments with training or real weapons, as well as the storage of war material.
Responsibilities
a) Support the operational training of Air Force navigation personnel in shooting and bombing missions, as well as that of Foreign Air Forces, in compliance with established agreements;
b) Support the implementation of instruction and operational training of the Armed Forces, Militarized Forces and Security Forces, namely in the field of fireworks and tactical combat exercises;
c) Support the dismantling and destruction of ammunition and military explosives;
d) Carry out tests of war material to be used or in use in the Armed Forces, Militarized Forces and Security Forces;
e) Collaborate with the Defense Industries and production establishments with similar interests, through the execution of tests and demonstrations.
HISTORY
Campo de Tiro was founded by royal decree, on the 24th of March of the year 1904, as an artillery shooting range and is located in the sedimentary basin between Tragus and Sado rivers. Until 1993, this military unit was part of the Portuguese Army, but following law decree 51/93, dated 26th of February, same year, it was integrated in the Portuguese Air Force organization. Initially, in the beginning of its existence, Campo de Tiro´s area was approximately 16,8 km2 and in 1985 it was increased to 75,4 km2. The vast area added to the shooting range has a significant Forrest extent, which sustains a rich and diverse fauna and protects it from the impacts generated in its surroundings by the operational activities conducted in the area.
This military Unit has several equipment and operational infrastructures (including a ground-to-ground range with different pre-prepared firing positions with different firing ranges distances; two air-to-ground ranges side-by-side and a dedicated tower control; a runway) and different support capabilities including explosive ordnance disposal related activities, paramedics, firefighting, security, control & coordination of firing operations and administrative related activities. All of these capabilities and infrastructures were designed and established to ensure the fulfill of this military unit's mission.
Campo de Tiro is located deep in Ribatejo landscape, having the cork oak and the stone pine as its two most symbolic indigenous vegetation species. In order to preserve this rich indigenous forest, nearly 1km2 of stone pine were planted, the greatest pine planting action made in this region. Many forest activities are also focused on the prosperity of the Campo de Tiro cork oak landscape.
The construction of low capacity dams is another example of the environment preservation measures applied in Campo de Tiro, complying with the Portuguese Air Force guidelines regarding this balanced and rich ecosystem. Also, various species like the partridge, the red fox, genet, eagle, the rabbit and the wild hog can be found in Campo de Tiro.
Campo de Tiro, due to its features and accomplishments in terms of environmental and Forrest certifications, the ideal place for school visits, scout camping, and environmental commemorations as it offers it´s visitors a close and unique contact with nature.
