No air show at Air Force 70th anniversary rites

The Philippine Air Force marked its 70th anniversary on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at Clark Air Base in rain-soaked rites that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to keep his speech short. (Photo from an RTVM video)

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Not a single air asset flew over Clark Air Base to take part at the Philippine Air Force’s 70th anniversary on Tuesday.

Heavy downpour forced the cancellation of the fly-by by four SF-260 trainer planes, nine T-41, and 12 SF-260 planes. They were supposed to form the number ‘70’ to mark the anniversary.

There was also no fly-by of air assets due to the military operations in Marawi City, unlike in previous years when the audience was treated to a showcase of aircraft.

Seven of the 12 FA-50 fighter jets were on display as a backdrop to the airmen who took part in the parade.

The parading troops also had to endure the rain, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to cut short his usual lengthy, impromptu speech.

“Because I feel bad that my troops there are getting wet and cold. Babasahin ko na lang itong speech ko. It’s about two pages,” he said.

The President promised to continue the modernization program by procuring additional attack and combat utility vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs to complement the existing air assets.

He also lauded the Philippine Air Force for its “crucial role” in the operations in Marawi against the Islamic State-linked Maute Group.

About 40 air assets and more than 400 Air Force officers and personnel are currently deployed in Marawi City, Duterte said.

In his specch, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina took pride in the Air Force for having displayed its abilities in the fighting in Marawi.

“There, our air strikes – with the most number of bombs delivered in recent history of our Philippine Air Force operations – has been allowing our ground forces to clear flush out and clear Marawi City of terrorists much faster and with lesser resistance,” he said.

Fallorina also noted that the PAF had performed significant number of sorties, flying missions in areas important to sovereignty and territorial integrity. /atm