PAF logs 28,179.6 flying hours during past year

From the Philippine News Agency (Ju1 1): PAF logs 28,179.6 flying hours during past year

As the Philippine Air Force (PAF) celebrated its 68th founding anniversary on Wednesday at the former Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado announced that the air service had logged 28,179.6 flying hours over the past year.

"Over the past anniversary year 2014-2015, the PAF was able to accomplish a total of 28,179.6 flying hours in 21,741 sorties," Delgado said.

During that time, the PAF chief said that their aircraft transported 83,809 passengers and 5,593,012 pounds of cargo to various destinations in the Philippines.

"A huge amount of these missions were conducted in support of territorial defense, security and stability, with the rest for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and force level command and control. We ably supported military offensive against the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) and other lawless elements in Mindanao and in other parts of the country," he added.

Aside from this, Delgado said that the Air Force successfully deployed the PAF mobile disaster response units to Samar when typhoon "Ruby" struck the province in December 2014.

Besides fulfilling these missions, the PAF also saw the delivery of seven refurbished UH-1 helicopters, the first of three C-295 medium transport aircraft and the initial batch of Bell 412EP combat utility helicopters.

"These new aircraft and the others that will be arriving in the coming years will significantly improve the PAF's capabilities to accomplish its mandated versions," Delgado said.

The PAF chief also took time to thank President Benigno S. Aquino III, who was the guest of honor, for his efforts in modernizing the Air Force.

"Sir, thank you very much for your support to the PAF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said.

With these positive developments, Delgado said the PAF remains more committed and dedicated in its duty to defend the nation's territory and people.

"Our sorties in the western borders help strengthen the arm of our diplomats by providing them with critical information. Communities can count on the Air Force being there whether the challenge comes from those who threaten the peace or those from the fury of nature," the PAF chief stressed.

Delgado also said that the PAF will work hand-in-hand with other stakeholders to provide a whole-nation approach in addressing national security concerns.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=778126