The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said it is refining its operational capabilities by embedding its core values into every mission as the military branch pursues a more modern and capable defense posture.

To guide every Air Force personnel, PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Christina Basco said the organization relies on “INSTEP,” a values-based leadership framework that serves as the foundation for how they carry out missions, make decisions, and develop the organization.

It is built around five core values namely: “Integrity” to uphold honesty, accountability, and ethical conduct in all actions and decisions; “Service above self” to put the nation and mission before personal interests; “Teamwork” to promote cooperation within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its international allies and partners; “Excellence” to strive for the highest standards in operations, training, modernization, and professional competence; and “Professionalism” to maintain discipline, competence, respect for the rule of law, and adherence to military ethics.

“It is embedded in our values. INSTEP is part of our mission capability and values. Our core values help provide direction to our programs for the Philippine Air Force,” Basco shared.

She said the framework shapes not only the conduct of PAF personnel but also the service's modernization efforts as it expands its role in territorial defense under the country's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

“This means a 360-degree defense of the Philippines. Because we are an archipelago, we really need to strengthen our air assets. Our mission capability starts with airmen and airwomen who have strong values. That is where INSTEP comes in,” she explained.

The PAF has increasingly shifted its focus from internal security operations (ISO) to territorial defense while continuing humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations as part of the AFP’s modernization program.

For Basco, modernization should be accompanied by values formation and training.

She cited the acquisition of additional defense assets, including FA-50 fighter aircraft, C-130J transport planes, and more Black Hawk helicopters to improve mobility, territorial defense, and disaster response operations.

“We have the largest fleet of Black Hawk helicopters in Southeast Asia. We also have new equipment arriving and radar systems that help monitor our defensive posture across our archipelago,” she said.

The Air Force is also expanding the training of its personnel through local and international exercises.

“We have training not only locally but also bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Balikatan, Cope Thunder with the United States, and Kamandag with the Marines,” she said.

She added that the PAF will also participate in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia later this month.

“These exercises sharpen the capabilities of our airmen and airwomen. At the same time, they develop interoperability with our allies and partners,” Basco said.

Further, the PAF spokesperson noted that stronger coordination with partner countries has become increasingly important as the Philippines works with like-minded nations in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“We can carry out territorial defense. We can conduct maritime patrols. At the same time, we can respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. Because of our INSTEP core values, our airmen and airwomen can perform their duties without hesitation and are always ready to serve our country,” Basco said.