Military Manoeuvres at Airport

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

Two Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighters carried out ‘circuits and bumps’ manoeuvres at Madeira Airport on Monday. According to information collected by DIÁRIO, the operation was part of a military exercise.

The operation caught the attention of those who were in the vicinity of the airport and was captured by the YouTube channel ‘Madeira Airport Spotting’.https://www.youtube.com/embed/EQsOpxfFQB0

The manoeuvre consists of an approach to the runway in which the aircraft touches the runway and takes off again, without completing the landing.

The use of F-16s in the Region is not unprecedented. The Air Force has carried out operational and training flights in Madeira’s airspace, including capability maintenance missions. In December 2022, for example, a pair of F-16M flew over the archipelago and Madeira Airport during an operational flight, then headed to Porto Santo.

The F-16M of the Portuguese Air Force belong to the 201st Squadron, “Falcões,” and 301st, “Jaguares,” based at Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real.

These aircraft are part of the national airspace defense structure.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com