PH Air Force unit shows off improved firepower, accuracy at anniversary rite

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing on Thursday (Nov. 26) touted improved firepower and precision strike capability at its 47th founding anniversary.

The wing, which the military relies on for close air support during combat, would get some of the smart munitions that had been donated by the US government, according to Maj. Gen. Marcelino Randy Tibayan, chief of Air Combat Command.

The munitions included Raytheon GBU-49 enhanced Paveway II laser-guided bombs.

The unit had also acquired 112 units of advanced precision kill weapons systems, which were described as a cost-effective form of precision-guided rockets and would enable the strike wing to “hit harder and more accurately.”

Pilot training would get a boost with a simulator system for the A-29B Super Tucano. Col. Juliano Llarenas, deputy wing commander, said the simulator has a “perfect rendition” of a Tucano cockpit.

The PAF commissioned six units of A-29B Super Tucano fixed wing light attack aircraft from Embraer last October. The planes will work alongside the legacy OV-10 Bronco aircraft, which recently returned to flying after more than a year of being grounded.

The AH-1S Cobra helicopters, donated by Jordan in 2019, are equipped with modern avionics and armed with “a devastating 20mm canon, which will no doubt give us an edge against our enemies as we try to safeguard our nation,” Llarenas said.

The unit also recently completed predelivery inspection of guided advanced tactical rockets with Israel’s Elbit Systems, he said.

“These new weapons will bolster the wing and usher a new age of advanced warfare, reinforcing the wing’s image as the tip of the spear of the armed forces,” he said.

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