Thursday, July 17, 2014

PAF assets, troops prepared to help in recovery efforts in 'Glenda' affected areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17): PAF assets, troops prepared to help in recovery efforts in 'Glenda' affected areas

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Thursday announced that all its assets and troops are prepared to aid the national government in recovery efforts in areas severely impacted by Typhoon "Glenda."

"At present, all PAF air assets, ground vehicles, equipment and personnel remain ready to support the recovery efforts and humanitarian assistance disaster relief (efforts) on orders," Air Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya stated.

He added that the PAF has been closely monitoring Typhoon "Glenda" since Monday when it has entered the Philippine area of responsibility.

"Close monitoring and alert directive related to Typhoon 'Glenda' started as early as Monday and followed by assembly of around 150 trained disaster response task units with M-35s (trucks) and rubber boats on standby alert the following day," Canaya pointed out.

And during the actual landfall of the typhoon Wednesday morning, the PAF spokesperson said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado and his battle staff monitored the situation around the country as "Glenda" traversed Metro Manila area until it exits to the West Philippine Sea.

"At around 8:45 a.m. two UH-1H at TOG-5 Legazpi flew a disaster assessment and need analysis over areas of Albay, As soon as the weather becomes safe for an aerial reconnaissance in Metro Manila area, a Huey II search and rescue helicopter departed 1:27 p.m. and followed by two W-3 Sokol helicopter departed Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base by 1:30 p.m.," he added.

Canaya said the Sokol helicopters conducted airborne assessment over Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Pasig and Marikina areas with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Alexander Pama.

The Huey II, on the other hand, covered the area of Southern Metro Manila and some parts of Laguna and Batangas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=663314

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