Modernization always in Air Force pipeline of requests — spokesman

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 7): Modernization always in Air Force pipeline of requests — spokesman

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has admitted that the recent crash of an old and decrepit OV-10 Bronco fighter jet calls for the modernization of the command even before President Aquino promised to modernize the PAF.

Col. Miguel Ocol, PAF spokesman, said that modernization has always been a request of the PAF even before the crash that occurred on June 23. As of press time, both pilots, Maj. Jonathan Ybañez and 1st Lt. Abner Trust Nacionin, are still missing.

“It’s always in the pipeline of request,” Ocol told The Daily Tribune in a text message.

The PAF spokesman denied that both pilots were neophytes that’s why the plane crashed five minutes before landing in Puerto Princesa City air force base.

“They were seasoned pilots,” the spokesman added. Two weeks after the crash, the remains of Ybañez and Nacionin have yet to be retrieved, believed to be trapped under the fuselage of the ill-fated Bronco fighter jet.

“They could be inside the fuselage,” Commodore Joseph Rustom Peña was quoted as saying. Ybañez and Nacionin were flying to test the OV-10’s night proficiency when it crashed past 7 p.m. of June 23.

As early as June 26, Peña already presumed the missing pilots dead if anyone would read between the lines carefully his statement to the media. “Well, the standard 48 hours’ critical time for any survivor had lapsed. It’s been three nights,” Peña was quoted as saying.

A research by this paper confirmed that no more country uses OV-10 today, except the Philippines. Original users of the plane, the US Air Force and Navy, last flew their OV-10 18 years ago. All seven nations that bought the planes in recent years have placed the plane in their museums.

During the last 10 years, seven nations — Venezuela, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Morocco, Philippines and Thailand — purchased several OV-10s, but only the Philippines, with 11 more of this plane, uses the decrepit aircraft.

The Royal Thai Air Force was the last to decommission the planes in 2003. Ocol confirmed there are still 11 OV-10s in the PAF. “Yes 11. They are grounded,” the spokesman confirmed.

During PAF’s 66th anniversary last July 1, President Aquino claimed that the national government will allocate P75 billion to rebuild the PAF in the next five years.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/16305-modernization-always-in-air-force-pipeline-of-requests-spokesman