The Philippine Air Force (PAF) held simultaneous flag-raising rites in all of its air bases around the country in celebration of its 76th founding anniversary on Saturday, July 1.
(Photo: Philippine Air Force)
Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, PAF commanding general, led the rites at the PAF headquarters in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “PAF@76: Accelerating with Excellence towards a more Capable, Credible, and Sustainable Force.” It reflects PAF’s “commitment to upholding the legacy” of its predecessors “while harnessing the challenges of the future.”
The flag-raising ceremony was held along with the awarding of outstanding units and personnel for their contributions to the accomplishments of the organization.
Among the awardees at the Villamor Air Base were the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing for its Sikorsky 70i Black Hawk Rapid Auxiliary Power Unit Oil Draining Device (Product Innovations); 5th Fighter Wing for its Operational Risk Management (Process Innovations); 252nd Presidential Airlift Squadron (CG, PAF Flight Safety Award AY-2023 Combat Support Category Squadron Level); 252nd Presidential Airlift Squadron, 251stPresidential Airlift Squadron, and 902nd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (PAF Flight Safety Trophy);
Lt. Col. Dennis Tadeo from the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing (CG, PAF Flight Safety Award AY-2023 Individual Category); 5057th Para-Rescue and Recovery Squadron of the 505th Search and Rescue Group, Air Mobility Command (SRG-AMC); reservist Lt. Col. Roldan Vargas (PAF Reservist of the Year); and Cadet First Class Harvic John Mathis (PAF ROTC Cadet of the Year).
After the flag-raising, a wreath-laying ceremony followed as a tribute to the fallen airmen who made their ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty.
The PAF said that it served as a reminder for every PAF personnel of the departed airmen’s “bravery and selflessness” for the overall accomplishment of the organization’s mandate.
On Wednesday, July 3, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will grace another event in celebration of the PAF’s anniversary at the Clark Airbase in Pampanga.
PAF was founded on July 1, 1947 by virtue of Executive Order No. 94 issued by then president Manuel Roxas.