FAYAL          TERCEIRA       SAN MIGUEL     SAN MARIA
 
Can be made    Utilities      All types      Unknown        All types
suitable for   Aircraft       
the types 60 days        30 days        -----               120 days
indicated in   Continued grading,  Construction of     Some additional     Complete
the number     construction of     hard standings,     construction        construction
of days   base facilities,         taxi ways, additional    probably required.  Reputed to be
shown, by the  graveling, metalling     base facilities and                     best site in
work noted.    or steel matting    extension and                      Islands.
          surface.       surfacing of existing
                         runways.
 
     b.   The above analysis indicates that initial operations of VLR aircraft from LAGENS
air field in TERCEIRA ISLAND may be expected about 15 days after occupation.  One squadron
of 12 VLR aircraft can be accomodated initially.  Estimated maximum capacity is 3 to 4
squadrons in 90 days with + fighter squadron.  The capacity of SANTA ANA field (RABO de
PEIXE) on SAN MIGUEL ISLAND for VLR aircraft is undetermined pending a definite survey
of expansion possibilities.
 
6.   Weather
     The average temperature varies from 73 F.  during the summer to about 58 F. in the
winter.  Fogs are infrequent, although there is sometimes a haze which reduces visibility.  There is
much cloudy weather from November to April.  During this period the clouds form and persist
mostly on the windward side of the islands.  There are no indications that any weather conditions,
except gales which may be expected occassionally, would interfere with the operation of land-based planes.
 
7.   Enemy forces
     a. Ground forces in the AZORES total 25,700, distributed as follows (See Appendix "B"):
 
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