The Philippine Air Force (PAF) hosted the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) for the second iteration of the Bilateral Training on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Execution dubbed as "Doshin-Bayanihan 2-22," it said on Saturday, June 25.
Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas Sr., PAF Commanding General, said the training was held in different air bases including the Clark Air Base (CAB) in Mabalacat City Pampanga; Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac; and Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union from June 21 to 24.
More than 300 PAF personnel and 16 JASDF personnel participated in various activities such as flight training with airdrop and ground load/offload using C-130 aircraft from both countries.
The PAF contingent was headed by Col. Jerry Paneda, acting Director for Operations (DO) of the 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (ACWW), while the JASDF contingent was led by Major Kazunori Takahara, from the 1st Tactical Airlift Wing.
The attendees also participated in subject matter expert exchange (SMEEs) on warning and surveillance, and search and rescue.
"The arrangement aims to strengthen the capabilities of the two air forces and to promote mutual-understanding and interoperability of PAF and JASDF," Canlas said.
He thanked JASDF Chief of Staff, General Izutsu Shunji for imparting their knowledge to the Filipino pilots, and hoped that the Japanese pilots have also learned from their counterparts.
The PAF and JASDF are conducting bilateral trainings under the Implementing Arrangement (IA) for Deepening Cooperation between the two countries which was signed on June 4, 2019.