The Portuguese Air Force announced on 28/1 that Monte Real air base sustained significant material damage as storm Kristin swept through. However, the Air Force did not disclose details on the extent of the damage or its impact on the combat readiness of units stationed there.

Images released on 29/1 showed the blast doors and roof of a hangar at Monte Real air base blown away. Debris crushed the cockpit of one F-16, while an adjacent jet had its tail resting on the floor and its nose pointing upwards. At least four F-16s were parked in the hangar when the storm hit; the specific condition of the remaining two aircraft is unknown.

Debris rests on an F-16 fighter jet inside a hangar at Monte Real air base, Portugal, after the storm on 28/1. Photo: X/Drecas_2000

These F-16s appeared to be undergoing maintenance. One fighter jet had its engine removed, while another lacked its cockpit canopy and nose radar cover.

Normally, military aircraft are moved to other bases before a storm hits to avoid damage. Experts believe the F-16s in the photos remained at Monte Real air base because their repairs were incomplete and they were unable to take off.

Storm Kristin made landfall in Portugal with maximum winds exceeding 200 km/h. At least six people died, while more than one million customers experienced power outages across the country due to the storm's impact. The Portuguese Civil Defense agency stated that weather conditions have improved, but it will take time to restore normalcy.

An F-16 fighter jet inside a hangar at Monte Real air base, Portugal, after the storm on 28/1. Photo: X/Drecas_2000

Portugal operates a total of 28 F-16 fighter jets, including 24 single-seat F-16AMs and four two-seat F-16BMs used for training. These fighter jets are assigned to Squadrons 201 and 301, both stationed at Monte Real air base.

Nguyen Tien (According to Euro Weekly, AFP, AP)