PAF dons rank to 15 newly promoted, commissioned reservists

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) pinned new ranks to 15 newly commissioned and promoted reservist officers in a ceremony held at the PAF national headquarters in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City recently.
Major Gen. Elpidio Talja, commander of Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), led the donning of ranks ceremony at the Agunod Hall in honor of the new reservist officers.
Further, the AFRC conferred medals and ribbons to the 1st Air Force Wing Reserve (1stAFWR) represented by wing commander Brig. Gen. Charito Plaza; 12th Air Force Group Reserve (12thAFGR) led by deputy group commander Major Celerino Umandap, and outstanding enlisted personnel represented by Sgt. Fatima Panontongan “in recognition of their exemplary service and dedication.”
The donning of rank ceremony was also witnessed by Col. Ritza Ann M. Jovellanos, commanding officer of the 1st Air Reserve Center (ARCen); Captain Jonard A. Judan, operations officer of 1st ARCen, and First Lt. Ivan P. Martinez, the 1st ARCen Chief RRFTD.
The AFRC was created through the establishment of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) pursuant to General Orders (GO) Number 6 dated May 16, 1949 which gave way to the creation of the first PAF ROTC Unit that trained PAF-ROTC cadets.
At present, the AFRC has four primary missions: first, to provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the event of war, invasion or rebellion; second, to assist in relief and rescue during disasters or calamities; third, to assist in socio-economic development; and fourth, to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of the overall AFP mission.