MACTAN AIR BASE, MACTAN, Cebu -- Foreign military and civilian aircraft of all kinds fly in and out of this air base round-the-clock, bringing in relief goods and medical and relief personnel for super typhoon "Yolanda"-devastated areas in northern Cebu, Tacloban City and other parts of Eastern Samar.
Cebu has been designated one of logistics hubs for rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of Yolanda which struck central
This base, which used to serve as an emergency airfield for the US Air Force at the height of the Vietnam War, has since then seen a steady stream of helicopters and jumbo cargo aircraft.
Each day, at least 10 aircraft are parked in the base, from the vertical take-off and landing V22 Ospreys of the US Marines to C-130 Hercules military transport planes of different air forces of countries extending aid.
Bigger aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster, B747 freighters and the world's largest aircraft, the Russian-made Antonov landed in the base.
Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz, commander of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) 2nd Air Division, said the base can accommodate up to 15 large aircraft at a time.
At least 10 hauler airplanes are using it any time of the day to airlift relief goods for over two million Yolanda victims.
He said the PAF continues to focus on relief operations but is slowly planning for reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Poquiz said that PAF works closely with the national disaster council and social welfare department to identify when and where relief goods are going.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=589889
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