PAF units now helping in 'Seniang' HADR missions

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 31): PAF units now helping in 'Seniang' HADR missions

In spite of the holidays, Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel and aerial assets are again in the thick of things as they are among the first military units to respond to the devastation caused by Tropical Storm "Seniang" in Central Visayas.

"Due to flooding and damages brought by Tropical Storm Seniang' in Central Visayas, the PAF in the Visayas headed by Major Gen. Sonny Manalo, the Division Commander of 2nd Air Division based in BGen Benito Ebuen Air Base (Mactan Air Base), had been conducting HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster response) operations in Loboc Municipality of Bohol since Dec. 30, 2014 due to rooftop level floods," PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said.

He added that UH-1H "Huey" helicopters were utilized in conducting aerial survey of damages, transport of rubber boats and delivery of relief goods.

In Palo, Leyte, the Tactical Operations Group 8 in Tacloban, Leyte deployed one disaster response team led by Staff Sgt. Rodrigo Cutamora, Jr., with one M-35, one rubber boat, life vests and assorted rescue equipment in Palo as requested by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

"The team of Staff Sgt. Cutamora successfully and safely evacuated more than 50 individuals, including infants and aged persons, stranded in rooftops to evacuation centers in the Municipality of Palo, Leyte," Canaya said.

Meantime, PAF units stationed in Davao and Villamor Air Base, weather permitting, brought in Super "Huey" and Sokol helicopters to augment current air assets at Mactan Air Base as staging area for the conduct of HADR operations.

"Today, December 31, 2014, two C-130s from Villamor Air Base, brought in logistics and relief goods to Tagbilaran, Bohol and the PAF’s Mobile Disaster Response Unit (MDRU), headed by Lt. Col. Dennis Alcarde, were also alerted, assembled and even reviewed basic procedures such as basic life support as early as 6am in preparation for deployment to Visayas at moment’s notice," Canaya pointed out.

Alcarde is also the 505th Search and Rescue Group deputy commander.

The 505th SRG motto is “That Others May Live.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=720749