"We began our history here at Abu Suwayr with five de Havilland Gypsy Moths. Our air force is now represented by hundreds of the most modern aircraft, including F-16 Fighting Falcons. We have come a long way."

The arrival of the first four F-16s in July 1994 signaled the successful completion of years of negotiations between Portugal and the United States. Acquiring F-16s also initiated Portugal's high expectations of reestablishing a genuine air defense capability.

Israeli air power traces its beginnings to November 1947, when the Haganah, a clandestine army formed before Israel declared its independence, collected all flyable aircraft to form the Sherut Avir — the Air Service.