PH Air Force commissions brand new ‘command and control’ aircraft
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday (Sept. 21) commissioned a new sophisticated aircraft worth P2-billion envisioned for “command and control” (C2) use.
The Gulfstream G280 was formally turned over to the PAF in a simple turnover and blessing ceremony at Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, the PAF said in a statement.
Sharing a bit more photos from this morning’s turnover of Gulfstream G280 jet to the Philippine Air Force at Clark Air Base. Photos shared to @inquirerdotnet by a source pic.twitter.com/axOWYr84Kw
— Frances Mangosing 🇵🇭 (@FMangosingINQ) September 21, 2020
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay, and Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes were among those present at the ceremony.
The G280 has a maximum range of 3,600 nautical miles/6,667 kilometers at a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.80. It was acquired from the United States through foreign military financing program.
It may also be used for VIP transport; airborne early warning; medical evacuation; high-altitude atmospheric research; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“The C2 aircraft will become part of a system designed for enhanced control of operations through continuous communications especially during operational exigencies and emergencies,” the PAF said.
“It will allow for time-sensitive decisions to be made while airborne especially by the AFP chain of command like the Secretary of National Defense; chief of staff, AFP; major service commanders, and commanders of the unified commands,” it added.
For its inaugural flight, the G280 flew COVID Interagency Task Force (IATF) members Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año; Health Secretary Francisco Duque III; IATF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and other officials to Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown, to check on the current COVID-19 situation there, the PAF said.
The plane also flew personal protective equipment and other medical supplies.
New Gulfstream G280 plane officially turned over to the Philippine Air Force this morning at Clark Air Base. It later flew IATF officials and PPE/medical supplies to Davao City for its inaugural flight. Photos from PAF pic.twitter.com/V2N6ZoSL6n
— Frances Mangosing 🇵🇭 (@FMangosingINQ) September 21, 2020
