The air base is located at the former installations of the aero club of Leiria, that existed from 1938 to 1941, when it became a military aerodrome of the Portuguese Army's aviation service.

Construction of the air base began in 1957 and was completed in 1959, it being officially inaugurated on 4 October by the President of the Republic Admiral Américo Tomás.

Adopting the motto "Alcança Quem Não Cansa" (attaining without ceasing), these two squadrons became part of the new Operational Group 501 and together totaled 50 F-86F combat aircraft.

), later re-designated as 103 Squadron, was based at Monte Real and operated the T-33A Shooting Star and T-38A Talon.

11 in Beja and received the first F-16 fighters upgraded with the Mid-Life Update (F-16AM and F-16BM) of the Portuguese Air Force.

Work on the PoAF's F-16 Mid-Life Update program is carried out at the workshops at Monte Real Air Base, namely the facilities designated as dock 4 (Portuguese: Doca 4), as well the flight testing of the upgraded aircraft.