PAF to flaunt air assets in anniversary rites Friday

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force will showcase some of its air assets on its 65th anniversary Friday at Fernando Air Base, in Lipa City, Batangas.

“We are reliving this olden tradition….as we are the Air Force, we should be flying,” Air Force spokesman Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol said in a statement.

It was 15 years ago since the last fly-by during an anniversary celebration, Okol said.

Among the highlights of the Air Force anniversary include a fly-by of PAF’s aircraft which consists of four T41-D Mescalero, 16 Aermacchi SF-260M, two Sokol combat utility helicopters, two UH-1H Huey, two MD-520MG attack helicopters,  two Fokker F-27 and  one Hercules C-130.

“This also signals that we are regaining our strength and will soon be a potent force in our defense and security operations,” he added.

Items now under negotiation and expected to be acquired within five years include territorial defense assets such as 10 attack helicopters, 21 UH1H helicopters, lead-in fighter trainers, long range patrol aircraft, air defense radar, eight light lift and three medium airlift aircrafts and a special mission aircraft, among others which will greatly boost the country’s defense stance against external threats, Okol said in a statement.

Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin will be the special guest in Friday’s activity.

Other highlights include a slow drill and band drill exhibition, parade and review, static display of selected Air Force aircraft; a high-speed opener pass by an S-211 aircraft at the start the ceremony, and the awarding of outstanding military personnel from the Air Force. Frances Mangosing