WATCH: PH Air Force chief flies one of new attack choppers
Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado flew one of the two brand new AgustaWestland109E attack helicopters on Monday to test for himself the aircraft’s capabilities.
“We put our trust on the technical people who have evaluated the helicopters so I’ll be flying it later…I’ll bring it to Sangley because it’s the home base of the attack helicopters,” he told reporters at Villamor Airbase after the turnover and blessing ceremony of 10 brand new helicopters.
Two of the brand new acquisitions are AW109Es; six more are expected to arrive before the year ends. They will be used for close air support, armed air reconnaissance, forward air control and armed escort.
These choppers will also be armed with .50 cal machine guns and rockets.
The other brand new aircraft turned over to the Air Force in the same ceremony were eight Bell-412EP combat utility helicopters. All the 16 new choppers are worth P8.2 billion.
Delgado was a seasoned combat pilot and also served as an instructor pilot.
The first two AW109E choppers will be deployed at the 15th Strike Wing in Sangley Point in Cavite.
RELATED VIDEOS
