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Azores
Lajes
The Azores are a group of islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean
about 2,200 miles east of New York City and approximately 850 miles west of
Lisbon, Portugal. Lajes Field is located on the northeast tip of Terceira,
an island, almost entirely bordered by high cliffs. The only beach is a
short, sandy strip bordering Praia Bay about three miles from the field.
Except for the towns and hamlets, the land is broken up into small plots
of cultivated ground by stone fences and narrow, winding roads criss-crossing
the island.
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 childrenŐs 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 University of Maryland, the University of Oklahoma,
Embry-Riddle Aerpnautical University and Central Texas College. There is a
DoDDS elementary school and high school on base.
• Health Services. On base services are clinic based services. Angra
Hospital, the Portuguese national hospital on the island, is located about
20 minutes from the base and offers all necessary in-patient and emergency
services to US personnel. Patients requiring special care beyond local
professional capabilities are aeromedically evacuated to CONUS or Europe.
Dental care is available, but limited and even more so for family members
and retirees. Orthodontic maintenance is provided by a visiting orthodontist
on a quarterly basis.
• Veterinary Services. The Lajes Vet Clinic offers a variety of
services. A veterinarian visits every 4-6 weeks for surgical procedures and
advanced pet care. Emergency and non-emergency services are also available
through local English-speaking veterinarians. The on base kennel, Atlantic
Island Kennel, offers a clean and convenient boarding environment for dog
and cat owners.
• Red Cross services on base include verification of death or sudden
illness, birth announcements and health and welfare reports. The Red Cross
also offers a variety of classes including CPR, First Air, AED and a
Babysitting course.There are numerous volunteer opportunities with the
Red Cross as well.
• Teen Programs includes sports, dances, tours, birthday parties,
games, tournaments and crafts.
• AAFES Exchange. The Main Store contains clothing, home supplies,
cosmetics, linens and jewelry departments. The Lower BX contains the audio/visual
department, household wares and appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, and
crafts. Other AAFES facilities on base include a gas and service station,
Class VI Shoppette, theater, barber shop, beauty shop, military clothing
sales and new car sales.
• Commissary. Besides the grocery department there is a bakery, meat
department, 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.
There is an ATM located outside the Credit Union that dispenses dollars,
while the ATMs at the Portuguese Terminal and BX dispense Euros. 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.
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