PAF chief vows less combat in missions

From the Baguio Midland Courier (Oct 7): PAF chief vows less combat in missions

The new commanding officer of the Tactical Operations Group 1 of the Philippine Air Force vowed Monday that aside from combat and security assistance, his unit will be at the forefront of search and rescue operations.

Lt/Col. Onorlie Brillantes, newly installed PAF-TOG1 chief, said his experiences in his previous assignments will help in sustaining the gains of the unit under his predecessor Col. Dennis Estrella.

Estrella, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1991, led TOG1 as the best unit of the PAF 1st Air Division, which covers the entire Luzon.

He will assume as the new operations chief of PAF 1st Air Division.

Brillantes said his unit will sustain the search and rescue assistance extended by PAF TOG 1 during disasters, aside from relief operations and security assistance during internal security operations.

Before his assignment to TOG1, Brillantes, a member of PMA Class 1993, was the head of the Air Warfare Division of the PMA for three years. He was also the deputy commander of TOG3.

He is the husband of Dr. Celia Brillantes, an outstanding citizen of Baguio and senior health official at the City Health Services Office.

M/Gen. Raul V. del Rosario, 1st Air Division commander, who presided the turnover rites at the Baguio Airport, acknowledged Brillantes’ leadership and managerial skills, which were reasons he was chosen for the position.

Del Rosario urged Brillantes to lead his unit in establishing partnership with communities, local government units, and private partners under his area of jurisdiction.

He said PAF TOG1 serves as a model among units under the 1st Air Division for its active involvement in non-combat missions ranging from medical and dental outreach programs and disaster risk reduction and management training, among things.

The PAF 1st Air Division exercised command and control over five Tactical Operations Groups.

http://baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/region.asp?mode=%20archives/2015/october/10-4-2015/reg2-PAF-chief-vows-less-combat-in-missions.txt