Ota Air Base (Air Base No 2)

The Military and Technical Training Center of the Air Force (Centro de Formação Militar e Técnica da Força Aérea, or CFMTFA) is located in Ota within the Alenquer Municipality, occupying the facilities of the former Ota Air Base (Air Base No 2). Operated by the Portuguese Air Force, the installation conducts the military, technical, and scientific training for approximately 90 percent of the branch's personnel. The center provides basic military training, permanent staff promotion courses, vocational training for civilian and military personnel, and instructor training.

Although the installation retains aviation infrastructure, the facility was deactivated as an active air base in 1992 and does not maintain permanent flying operations. Consequently, air traffic control, meteorology, fire rescue, and fuel supply services are deactivated.

The installation was inaugurated on 14 April 1940 by Portuguese President Óscar Carmona as Air Base No 2 for the Aeronáutica Militar, the aviation branch of the Portuguese Army. Initially, it hosted a fighter squadron operating Gloster Gladiators, alongside bomber squadrons equipped with Junkers Ju-86s and Junkers Ju 52s. During World War II, the base operated squadrons of Supermarine Spitfires, Bell P-39 Airacobras, and Bristol Blenheims.

In the 1950s, operating under the independent Portuguese Air Force, the base housed the Operational Fighter Aviation Group. This group operated F-47 Thunderbolts, which were replaced by F-84G Thunderjets in 1954, and subsequently by F-86 Sabres. A jet fighter training unit operating T-33 Shooting Stars was also established during this period. In 1958, fighter operations transferred to Monte Real Air Base, and Ota transitioned to an elementary flight training role using De Havilland Chipmunks. Between the 1970s and 1990s, a liaison unit operated Cessna FTB-337G Skymasters from the installation.

The facility's technical training role began in 1960 with the establishment of the Specialists Technicians Training Group. This unit became Training Center No. 7 in 1975 and Training Center No. 2 in 1976. In 1992, active flight operations ceased and Ota Air Base merged with Training Center No. 2 to form the CFMTFA.