In line with its efforts to upgrade its capabilities, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that it has already identified the pilots and flight crews which will be manning the eight attack versions of AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters.
An initial two are expected to be delivered within the year.
"Two units will be delivered by 2014 and (by) 2015 (the remaining) six units will be delivered. As per signed contract, two units will be delivered 365 days upon LC (letter of credit) opening," PAF spokesperson Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said.
He added that the pilots and flight crew who will man the brand-new aircraft have already been identified.
"Pilot(s) and (flight) crew (are now) identified, however, date for training is TBDL (to be determined later)," Okol stressed.
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Earlier, Department of National Defense undersecretary for finance, modernization, installation and munitions Fernando Manalo said the decision to acquire the AW-109s for both the Navy and Air Force was done to greatly ease the maintenance, training, and acquisition of spare parts
Aside from this, having both services operated the same helicopter would mean that the only type of simulator will be acquired for training of its flight crew.
"Having the two services operate the AW-109s means that we will just operate one type of aircraft which will greatly ease our maintenance, training and logistic procedures," he pointed out.
Manalo said that the only difference between the Navy and Air Force AW-109s is that the latter version is armed with .50 caliber machines and rocket launchers.
"But we can also arm the Navy AW-109s if needed," the DND undersecretary said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=611375
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