They took off in the middle of a storm, not for combat but for compassion. Their mission was to assess the damage left by Typhoon “Tino” and determine what help was needed most. It was supposed to be a routine Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) flight but it ended in tragedy.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on Wednesday, November 5, that six of its personnel were killed after a Super Huey helicopter crashed in the mountains of Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Nov. 4 while supporting Eastern Mindanao Command’s (Eastmincom) disaster response operations.

The fallen airmen, all from the elite 505th Search and Rescue Group, the PAF’s frontliners in humanitarian and disaster response missions, embodied the unit’s guiding motto: “That others may live.”

The PAF identified the victims as Captain Paulie B. Dumagan, pilot in command, who had been a PAF pilot "for seven to eight years;" Second Lieutenant Royce Louis G. Camigla, co-pilot; and aircrew Sergeant Yves B. Sijub,  Sergeant John Christopher C. Golfo, Airman First Class Ericson R. Merico, and Airman Ameer Khaidar T. Apion.

The fallen airmen were described as “well-trained and highly skilled.”

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco confirmed that all six bodies had been recovered by Philippine Army troops near the 60th Infantry Battalion’s area of responsibility.

“As coordinated with Eastmincom, the results of the search, rescue, and retrieval operations conducted near the area of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Agusan del Sur have led to the recovery of the bodies of six individuals believed to be the pilots and crew members of the ill-fated aircraft,” she added.

According to Basco, the Super Huey was one of four aircraft dispatched from Davao City to Butuan for an RDANA operation at 10:55 a.m. The others were two Black Hawks and a Bell helicopter.

The Super Huey lost communication with its flight group en route at 11:37 a.m., and was later found in a mountainous and heavily vegetated area in Agusan del Sur at 11:56 a.m. Based on unofficial photos circulating on social media, the aircraft's debris were completely charred as the chopper burst into flames upon impact.

“There were three other aircraft flying with them in a buddy-buddy system. When communication was lost, the others immediately searched the area,” Basco said.

“The aircraft took off while observing wind limitations or wind conditions, so if the wind conditions are not favorable, we do not allow takeoff because the safety of our aircrew is paramount. At that time, they were able to take off and were supposed to carry out the mission. Unfortunately, the mishap still occurred,” she added.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation but Basco said the weather, as well as possible mechanical or technical issues, were being examined by PAF investigators and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team currently at the crash site.

“So far, we cannot pinpoint the exact cause until the investigation is complete. The aircraft was mission-capable and cleared for takeoff. We always prioritize safety before every flight,” she said.

Investigators were locating the blackbox to retrieve flight data and cockpit voice recordings, which could provide crucial information on what led to the crash. The aircraft debris were also being collected as part of the probe.

The Super Huey, a refurbished aircraft acquired from the United States in 2011, was described as “reliable and well-maintained.”

“It has been reconfigured to operational standards and airworthiness. It’s a very reliable aircraft and we use this in all our HADR operations,” Basco said.

As a result of the crash, the two remaining Huey aircraft in the PAF fleet have been grounded pending the results of the investigation.

The remains of the six airmen were undergoing forensic identification. Two of them have been preliminarily identified as Mindanao-based personnel, one from Zamboanga and another from General Santos City.

Basco said the PAF has been coordinating with their families to ensure proper handling of remains, in accordance with cultural and religious practices.

Basco assured that the PAF would extend full assistance to the families of the victims including financial, psychological, and spiritual support. The fallen airmen will also be accorded heroes’ honors.

In a separate statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) expressed solidarity with the PAF as it mourned the loss of “brave airmen who gave their lives in the line of duty.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all personnel involved in this incident. Our sincerest condolences to the families of our fallen heroes, we share in your grief and extend our unwavering support during this most difficult time,” the AFP said.

The DND said the dedication of the fallen airmen "will always be remembered, especially as these were made in the service of our fellow Filipinos facing the effects of Typhoon Tino."

"We pray for their eternal peace and shall extend all available support to their families at this difficult time," the defense department noted.

Even as the PAF grieves the loss of its six personnel, Basco said HADR operations continue as other aircraft such as the Black Hawk, Bell 412, and C-130 remain deployed to ferry relief goods and transport personnel to areas hit hardest by Tino in Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Southern Luzon.

Basco said the loss of their comrades will not deter the PAF from fulfilling its mandate.

“The Philippine Air Force assures the public that flight safety remains a top priority. While this incident is deeply distressing, the Philippine Air Force remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate of defending the nation’s airspace and providing timely humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” she said. “This is what our airmen do so that others may live.”