Additional C-130s to beef up PAF's disaster response capabilities

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 6): Additional C-130s to beef up PAF's disaster response capabilities

The arrival of two more Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft will greatly increase the Philippine Air Force (PAF) disaster response capabilities.

"It's a welcome development, (the) additional C-130s will definitely increase our capability to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster response operation requirements," Air Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said Wednesday.

Earlier, the United States Department of State has approved the "Foreign Military Sale" (FMS) of two former US Navy C-130Ts to the Philippines.

The Philippines presently operates three C-130s in its air fleet.

Sale of the aircraft would amount to USD61 million.

US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) head Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey earlier informed the US Congress through House Speaker Joseph Boechner about the Philippine government's request for the two C-130 cargo planes.

"The Government of the Philippines desires these additional C-130s to bolster its lift capabilities, which are essential for providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," it stressed.

"The Philippines will use this increased lift capability to improve the mobility and resupply of its forces and for the provision of humanitarian assistance in the Philippines and the wider region, thereby reducing the potential level of US assistance requested/needed for these purposes," the DSCA further said.

The Philippine sale package is for "two C-130T aircraft and 10 T56-16 engines (eight installed and two spares).

Also included are logistical sustainment and support for a period of three years, modification equipment and labor costs, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, aircraft ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, US government and contractor logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The DSCA said the proposed sale would contribute to US security and foreign policy goals by building the Philippines' maritime domain security capacity and deepening US' overall strategic partnership with the Philippines.

Sources earlier said that the Philippines needs a minimum of 10 C-130s to allow it to address its humanitarian assistance and disaster response and cargo missions efficiently.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=669897