Tuesday, July 1, 2014

PAF chief fetes pioneer pilots, aircrew on 67th founding anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 1): PAF chief fetes pioneer pilots, aircrew on 67th founding anniversary

As the Philippine Air Force celebrated its 67th founding anniversary Tuesday, PAF chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado took time to recognize and remember the countless sacrifices of the founding aviators, officers, and enlisted personnel who made the military air service what it is today.

"We salute those all those pilots who flew countless missions for the country and those who made the supreme sacrifice in fulfilling their sworn duty to defend and protect the country," he said in Filipino.

And with pride, Delgado also took time to point out that the PAF is Southeast Asia's first truly modern air force having being established in 1936 as Philippine Army Air Corps (PACC).

The PACC, despite its inferior flying machines, valiantly resisted the Japanese air attacks with pilots like Capt. Jesus Villamor and Lt. Cesar Basa during the early part of World War II in the Pacific, before being overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the enemy.

"We are offering this day to these heroes who made it possible for (present and) future generations to experience peace, prosperity in stable republic," he added.

Delgado also took this opportunity to express thanks to the national leadership for passing the AFP Modernization Law, a legislation which will allow the PAF, the Navy and Army, to modernize and fulfill its constitutional mandate of defending the nation.

The PAF chief also expressed his thanks to President Benigno S. Aquino III for the latter's staunch support to their modernization program.

"In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to our thanks to the President, on behalf of the men and women of the PAF, our sincerest thanks for the staunch support to our modernizaton program, for your generous support to our operational requirements and for your continued assistance to maintain a decent quality of life to our personnel and our families," he added.

"Mr. President, rest assured that your unwavering concern to the Air Force will further strengthen our resolve to live up to our sworn vow to faithfully perform our duty and dedicate our lives for our country," Delgado stated.

"Hence, no matter how tough or frequent, or the challenge maybe, with God, our countrymen and our allies as witnesses we remain strong and highly disciplined committed to transparency and good governance serving our nation with integrity, service above self, teamwork, excellence and professionalism," the PAF chief stressed.

As this develops, Delgado also assured the public that the PAF will remain a credible partner in terms disaster assistance and humanitarian relief as tested by their record during the magnitude 7. 2 earthquake in Bohol last Oct. 15 and Supertyphoon "Yolanda" which battered a large part of Eastern Visayas in Nov. 8.

"One example is the establishment of (the PAF of ) a mobile disaster response unit which can quickly respond to calamity stricken areas," he added.

Aside from the procurement of more modern aircraft and helicopters, the PAF chief said that they will also focus on acquiring more up-to-date disaster response and relief equipment.

"More importantly we have proven our professionalism and dedication to duty in various preparations to defend our territory and people from any threat or danger," Delgado stressed.

Besides this missions, he also pointed out that the PAF proven its mettle and courage during the Zamboanga City crisis last September, when rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front, tried to take control of the area.

"During the Zamboanga crisis, close air support to surface forces and our airlift of reinforcements enabled the government to quickly stabilize the situation," Delgado narrated.

The PAF commander also said that they are also in the forefront in conducting regular patrols to guard the Kalayaan Island group and other parts of the West Philippine Sea.

"In line with the AFP Transformation Roadmaps, the PAF has accomplished many remarkable things through the years, we have prevailed against challenges because of the strong bond between every member of the Air Force family and we should not forget the significant contributions of those who have steered the Air Force before me, our esteemed former commanding generals, thus our theme for this year is not incidental or a product of any caprice, it does not have any veiled intention to brag as well, this year's anniversary theme is a product of our tradition of service and reflects aspirations of all our airmen past and present, thus we have PAF at 67, soaring high for peace, freedom and development," Delgado stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=658622

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