PAF pilot gets chance to ride latest US P-8 aircraft

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): PAF pilot gets chance to ride latest US P-8 aircraft

A rookie pilot from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) got a chance to fly with the aircrew of the US Navy's latest P-8A "Poseidon" maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft last June 19.

Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 public affairs officer Lt. (JG) Robert J. Valentich said PAF pilot, 1st Lt. Mario Mendoza, got his chance to see the advanced capabilities of the P-8A during a maritime domain awareness flight off Luzon.

The P-8A was part of VP-45's Combat Aircrew Eight (CAC-8) detachment, which took off Clark Air Base, Pampanga which "exercised forward presence and joint interoperability while fostering the longstanding relationship between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Navy by demonstrating the operational capabilities of the P-8A Poseidon in a maritime capacity."

Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Mathew Pereida presented the aircraft’s multi-mission sensors through the various crew workstations.

“It was an awesome opportunity to work alongside the members of the Filipino armed forces,” he said.

“Sharing this aircraft’s capabilities with our allies will be mutually beneficial during future bilateral operations,” Pereida said.

“We really appreciate everything you do, all of you care so much and my country is truly grateful for what you do,” Mendoza said.

“Both of our nations have had a very long, great relationship and it is extremely important that we continue that relationship in the future,” he said.

Mendoza received a four-year education at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado before returning to the Philippines.

He is currently attached to Clark Air Base where he works to enhance the mutual cooperation between the US and the Philippines.

The P-8A is the most advanced long range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world. A true multi-mission aircraft, it also provides superior maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

The new P-8A is part of the Navy's commitment to the Pacific rebalance; bringing latest technology to US 7th Fleet to ensure the U.S. is best postured to honor its commitment to regional security and stability.

VP-45 is forward deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and conducts regular detachments to locations around the Indo-Asia-Pacific to participate in multilateral military exercises, ensure maritime domain awareness, support humanitarian assistance operations and enhance relationships in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=775511