The Azores Air Zone Command (, ZAA) is a Portuguese Air Force command, responsible for the planning, supervision and control of the readiness of the airpower resources and of the air activity in the area of the Azores islands. It is under the direct dependency of the Air Command.

Mission

The Azores Air Zone Command is responsible for:

1. Plan, direct and control the air activity in its area of responsibility, for the execution of the approved plans and directives; 2) Maintain the relationship with the foreign forces stationed in its bases, accordingly with the terms established in their respective international agreements;
2. Guarantee the respect by the national sovereignty in the terms confirmed by the established international agreements; 4) Study and plan the operational activity of the Portuguese Air Force in the Azores Air Zone;
3. Plan, direct and control the air activity of the Air Force in the Azores Air Zone; 6) Control and coordinate the search and rescue actions in the designated areas of responsibility.

History

The Azores Air Zone (ZAA) was created in 1956 under the dependency of the Command of the 1st Air Region of the Portuguese Air Force. It had the Air Base No. 4, Lajes under its direct command. From 1977 to 1993, the ZAA Command's designation was changed to Azores Air Command (, CAA), during which period of time, the commander of the CAA executed simultaneously the functions of commanding officer of the Air Base No. 4. In 1993, the CAA was disbanded. From 1993 to 1995, the Air Base No. 4 remained the only body of the Portuguese Air Force in the Azores. In July 1995, the Azores Air Zone Command was reactivated, with the same structure of the previous Azores air commands.

Commanders