4 newly-acquired Huey choppers arrive in Clark

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — With less than a week before the 67th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force on July 1, four new helicopters arrived at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the four new combat utility UH-1’s, also known as Hueys, are part of the 21 units that the AFP acquired from North American suppliers.

He added that the four are being assembled at the air base.

“The four helicopters are being assembled so they can be displayed during the Air Force anniversary,” Gazmin said Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Canaya, PAF spokesman, said the four Hueys arrived Sunday and would be used to transport troops and equipment during disaster response.

Gazmin added that three more Hueys might arrive within the next month.

“There were slight delays in the unloading of equipment in Port Area because of the traffic but hopefully, we will be able to complete all these projects within the year,” Gazmin said.

In December of 2013, the AFP awarded the contract to Rice Aircraft Services Inc. of the United States and Eagle Copters Ltd. of Canada to supply the 21 Hueys worth P1.26 billion.

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