Delayed 21 Huey choppers won’t hamper PAF ops, says spokesman

MANILA, Philippines—The delay of acquisition of 21 Huey helicopters seen to boost the Philippine Air Force will not hamper its operations, even as it was earlier seen to step up its air lift capability for the upcoming elections.

“Oo actually ang…term is augment so that will just make it easier and make it better for us, syempre kung dumating yan before [the elections] mas madali mas maganda kasi dumating e, diba, pero that will not impede or hold or stop our operations especially kung ano yung requirements that will be needed for that activity…. but it will not hamper us from performing our activities,” Air Force spokesman Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol told reporters Tuesday.

Late last year, the Department of National Defense said they were eyeing to acquire 21 refurbished Hueys in time for the elections, in anticipation for the “increase in air mobility requirements due to election-related flights in various parts of the country.” Its recommendation was to have it delivered by February 28, 2013.

“Definitely we will make do with what we have if we have to fulfill our requirements,” Okol said, as the Air Force is 51 units short of combat utility helicopters.

There are 16 operational Hueys in the Air Force inventory.

During elections, Air Force helicopters are on standby to fulfill requests of the Commission on Elections, such as transporting of ballots to far-flung areas.

Defense spokesman Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said there was a delay for the acquisition of the Hueys due to “technical issues” but did not elaborate further.