Azores

Summers are extremely pleasant. Winters are damp and chilly, but there are intervals of pleasant, sunny weather. For shopping, area specialties include lace, pottery, painted tiles, wicker and silver jewelry.

The Azores were long an outpost of Portuguese power, by which it could protect lines of communication to the newly discovered land in America. Their strategic position between North America and Europe was especially important during World War II. Lajes Field was activated in 1943 when the British obtained permission to construct an airfield on Terceira Island. In late 1943. the United States began stationing personnel there along with the British.

SERVICES & FACILITIES
Sport and Recreation. There is an extensive sports program at Lajes with year-round intramurals in just about any sport. The Chace Fitness Center has lots of state of the art equipment, the Outdoor Recreation Center carries a wide variety of items for checkout, there is a 16-lane bowling alley and a skating rink on base and a beautiful 18-hole golf course seven miles from the base.

Religious Activities. The Lajes Field Chapel, on main base, offers Protestant, Evangelical and Catholic services on Sunday. Other faith groups, including Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist, need to contact the chapel directly for further information. Other activities include Sunday School, Bible study groups, adult and children's choirs, and a variety of groups, including Protestant Men, Women, Singles and Youth of the Chapel. Off- base worship opportunities include Baptist, Church of Christ, Seventh-Day Adventist, Church of Latter-Day Saints, and independent Christian fellowships.

Schools. The Education Services Center is the focal point for all education programs at Lajes Field. A professional guidance counselor is available for both active duty and family members. College level courses are offered through the City College of Chicago, the University of Maryland and the University of Oklahoma. There is a DoDDS elementary school and high school on base.

Health Services. No in-patient care is available. Angra Hospital, the Portuguese national hospital on the island, is located about 20 minutes from the base. Patients requiring special care beyond local professional capabilities are aeromedically evacuated to CONUS or Europe. Dental care is limited and even more so for family members and retirees. Orthodontic maintenance is provided by an orthodontist on a quarterly basis.

Veterinary Services. The Lajes Vet Clinic doesn't see pets without appointments. A veterinarian visits every 4-6 weeks. Emergency services are limited but local vets are available. Pets can't be brought into billeting, but the new Atlantic Kennels on base provide a clean and convenient alternative for dog and cat owners to board their pets.

Red Cross services on base include verification of death or sudden illness, birth announcements and health and welfare reports.

The Teen Center program includes sports, dances, tours, birthday parties, games, tournaments and crafts.

AAFES Exchange. The Main Store contains clothing and jewelry departments, the Shoppette and the Class VI store. The Lower BX contains the audio/visual department, household wares and appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, fabrics, crafts and linens. Other AAFES facilities on base include a gas station, theater, barber shop, beauty shop, military clothing sales and new car sales.

Commissary. Besides the grocery department there is a bakery, meat department (vacuum pac), delicatessen and produce department. The Commissary stocks over 4,000 semi-perishable items and some 1,000 perishable items.

Banking. The Pentagon Federal Credit Union has a branch at Lajes. Although it doesn't deal in cash, there is an ATM located outside the Credit Union that does assist you with your cash needs. Personal checks can be cashed at the Base Exchange and the club. Additionally, money order service is available at the Base Exchange and the Post Office.

The Commercial Travel Office can assist with travel arrangements between the Azores and the United States, Europe and other continents, as well as make hotel and rent-a-car reservations.

Clubs. The Top of the Rock Club caters to both officer and enlisted personnel, their families and some Portuguese civilians. It offers two small lounges, one for officers and one for enlisted, as well as a main ballroom and a dining room.

The Base Library has some 48,000 books for adults, children and teens. It also maintains selections from the best-seller list.