FORT MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija --- Female Aviators of the Aviation “Hiraya” Regiment, Philippine Army, marked International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, with an all-female training flight at Fort Magsaysay Army Aerodrome.

Hiraya Female Aviators in Flight used the Robinson R44 trainer helicopter.

Cpt. Pearl Esther I Taladro, pilot-in-command, and Maj. Sharon Jill F Carangrang, co-pilot, with Cpt. Rhona K Salvacion onboard, performed a series of take-off and landing exercises, co-pilot landing, air taxi, and quick stop maneuvers.

The all-female flight crew is the Aviation Regiment’s way of showcasing the capabilities of its female Army Aviators in celebration of International Women's Month Celebration and carried the theme: “Agenda ng Kababaihan Tungo sa Kaunlaran.”

The Aviators were wearing purple shirts which is historically associated with efforts to achieve gender equality and linked to contemporary feminism.

It inspires hope and vision and symbolizes the gains so far achieved and those that are yet to come, the Aviators said.

The Aviation (Hiraya) Regiment, Philippine Army, under Col. Andre B. Santos participated in the Subject Matter Expert Exchange conducted with 3-25 Combat Aviation Battalion, US Army as part of Exercise SALAKNIB on Monday, March 7.

Tackled during the exchange were aviation safety with CW4 Jamie C. Toner, Safety Officer of Task Force Hammerhead, 3-25 Combat Aviation Battalion, US Army, as the speaker.

Toner elaborated on the safety administrative practices, emergency management planning, safety related programs, and aviation mission risk mitigation.

The Aviation Regiment has prioritized safety, especially with the increase in the number of flight missions and aircraft.

This will help the unit improve its safety programs and mitigate accidents during the conduct of flightline operations and aerodrome operations.