The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is aiming to better secure the Philippine skies and create a better future for the Filipinos as the “wings of our nation” by being a more capable, credible, and sustainable force.
Philippine Air Force personnel perform a hoist rescue operation using a Super Huey II aircraft during the PAF's capability demonstration at Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac on July 3, 2023 as part of the PAF's 76th anniversary celebration. (Photo: PAF)
This was emphasized by Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, PAF commanding general, during the organization’s 76thfounding anniversary celebration at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Monday, July 3.
The celebration, which was graced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., carried the theme: “PAF@76: Accelerating with Excellence Towards A More Capable, Credible and Sustainable Force”.
“Today, we proclaim our commitment to work towards improving our capability, credibility and sustainability with emphasis on timelines and quality of work. Reflecting on our journey we [are] filled with gratitude for the strides we have made towards achieving our goals,” Parreño said in his speech.
The PAF’s capabilities have grown over the past seven decades through "strategic and sustained investments" in technology, infrastructure and the development of its human resource, he noted.
Meanwhile, the use of power in joint operations and PAF’s collaborations with local and international partners have also improved which served as a testament of the organization’s “flourishing credibility”, the air chief added.
“Through proactive supply management, asset maintenance, safety prioritization and technological innovation, sustainability is now realized and being institutionalized. We are indeed grateful for the bountiful blessings that have allowed us to serve our people and our nation better,” he continued.
The celebration was marked by a capability demonstration at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac which included intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) demo of C208 aircraft; fast rope insertion and extrication system (FRIES) operation of S70i Black Hawk helicopters; hoist rescue operation of a littered patient by a Huey 2 aircraft; and air-to-ground live fire demonstration of FA-50PH, A29B Super Tucano, and T129 Atak helicopters.
Further, a passing exercise involving the high-speed opener pass of three FA-50PH “Bulldog” fighter jets opened the event at Clark Air Base.
Towards the end part of the celebration, 15 Cessna T41 Mescalero aircraft flew and formed the number “76” in the sky to represent the number of years that the PAF has been in the service. These were flown by instructor pilots from the Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command.
On the ground, a static display of assets were held including FA-50PH, T129, C295, C130, PZL W-3A Sokol, S70i, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and ground-based air defense system (GBADS) platforms.