INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – To display strength, the Philippine Air Force would showcase 50 of its air assets during its 67th anniversary to be held in Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Tuesday morning.
Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Canaya, PAF spokesman, said the fly-by display of their assets would highlight the day’s program, and to show the public that they have the wings to perform their mission.
“This will convey the state of readiness of the Air Force and that includes the state of readiness of our pilots,” Canaya said Monday. “These air assets can perform various functions. (The fly-by) will show that we can perform the mission and conduct air operations.”
An aerobatic team from the PAF Flying School, the Ravens, would use SF-260FH/M planes to perform an aerial capability demonstration.
Other wings that would join the fly-by showcase are three S-211 jets, three C-130 Hercules cargo planes, one F-28, 2 F-27 Fokker, three N-22 Nomad planes, two OV-10 Bronco bombers, two SF-260TP warrior, 16 SF-260FH/M trainers, nine T-41D trainers, an LC-210 weather aircraft, four MG-520 gunship helicopters, four UH-1H Huey helicopters, one Bell 205, Huey II, six Sokol rescue helicopters, and three S-76A air ambulances.
A joke no more
Always the butt of jokes, the PAF is set to display their brawn and shatter the jest that hovered over them for years.
Canaya said that the joke “all air, no force” is no longer true.
He added the Air Force is continually improving their assets through the modernization program.
On June 26, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that four new Huey helicopters were being assembled in Clark and that 17 are still set to arrive.
Expected to lead the ceremonies is President Benigno Aquino III with Gazmin and General Emmanuel Bautista, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, flanking him.
PAF Commanding General Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado would lead the awarding of the outstanding air men and civilian employees.
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