General Gilbert Gapay, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has commended the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for its efficient response to help Filipinos affected by powerful storms that have hit the country in the past two months.
“The search and rescue capability of the Philippine Air Force saved a lot of lives. Amid the aftermath of the typhoons, the airlift and heli-lift capabilities were greatly utilized for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations,” Gapay said during his command visit at the headquarters of the 5th Fighter Wing at the Basa Air Base in Pampanga on Dec. 4.
The PAF was instrumental in conducting HADR operations when super typhoon Rolly and typhoons Quinta and Ulysses ravaged parts of Luzon and Visayas in October and November.
It used several fixed-wing and rotary aircraft in carrying out search, rescue, and retrieval missions, and in transporting relief goods to affected areas.
“It is truly without second thoughts that you put the lives of others ahead of yours, as you have always done in the service of our fellow Filipinos,” Gapay said, addressing the personnel of the 5th Fighter Wing.
During his command visit, Gapay personally experienced the expertise and capabilities of the PAF when he rode an FA-50 fighter jet, one of the prized air assets of the 5th Fighter Wing, in a flight demonstration.
The AFP Chief expects that the air supremacy of the PAF will be further boosted by the arrival of six A-29B Super Tucano close air support aircraft and five Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopters recently.
“It is with high hopes and trust that you, the elite members of our Air Force, fly to the skies always carrying the ultimate goal of our mandate to secure the state and to protect the people,” he said.