Field Firing Range of Alcochete
| Campo de Tiro | |
|---|---|
| Active | 24 March 1904 (establishment) 26 February 1993 (PoAF unit) |
| Country | Portugal |
| Branch | Portuguese Air Force |
| Motto(s) | O Saber da Experiência Feito |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Colonel Manuel Francisco Bernardo da Costa |
| Taking Office | 22 July 2021 |
38°46′32″N 8°53′01″W / 38.775522°N 8.883683°W
The Field Firing Range (Portuguese: Campo de Tiro, CT), also known as the Field Firing Range of Alcochete (Portuguese: Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, CTA), is a military firing and bombing range located near the town of Alcochete, on land administratively part of the civil parishes of Samora Correia (in Benavente municipality) and Canha (in Montijo municipality), in Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, Portugal. Established in 1904, it is since 1993 a facility of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF). It covers 7,539 hectares and provides the PoAF and other branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces, national law enforcement agencies and defense industries, with the necessary space and safety to execute exercises, training and testing involving live ammunition and weapon systems. As part of its activities, the range has a permanent bomb disposal unit and its security is handled by the Polícia Aérea.
The range is also home to a natural reserve which helps preserve flora and the existing wildlife, such as partridge, wild boar, little bustard, fox, common genet and rabbit. For preservation of its surroundings and natural life, the range has obtained an environmental management certificate (ISO 14001), in 2001, which has been regularly renewed over the years. Since 1998 the range also has a photovoltaic plant that powers its facilities.
The Field Firing Range of Alcochete is planned to close and relocate (possibly to Mértola, Alentejo) owing to the construction of Luís de Camões Airport (planned to open in 2034).