Mactan air base packed full of airplanes

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) can only wish the planes lined up on the tarmac of the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu’s Mactan island were theirs.

The base, which used to serve as an emergency airfield for the US Air Force at the height of the Vietnam War, is tight on space because of the many military and civilian aircraft ferrying aid to victims of supertyphoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

Mactan air base has been kept busy 24/7 in the aftermath of supertyphoon Yolanda which struck Nov. 8.

With Cebu designated the hub of logistics for rescue and relief efforts, the base has seen a steady stream of helicopters and jumbo cargo aircraft. Each day, at least 10 are parked in the base including V22 Ospreys of the US Marines to C-130 Hercules planes of different air forces of countries extending aid. Bigger aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster, B747 freighters and the world’s largest aircraft, the Russian-made Antonov landed in the base.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz, commander of the PAF 2nd Air Division said the base can accommodate up to 15 large aircraft at a time. At least 10 hauler airplanes are using it any time of the day to airlift relief goods for over two million Yolanda victims.

He said the PAF continues to focus on relief operations but is slowly planning for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Poquiz said that PAF works closely with the national disaster council and social welfare department to identify when and where relief goods are going.