Night flying helicopters part of PAF pilot training

From the Sun Star-Davao (Feb 19): Night flying helicopters part of PAF pilot training

THE helicopters seen flying over Davao City on Wednesday night are part of the proficiency training for Philippine Air Force pilots, nervous city residents were told.

"It was night proficiency training for pilots of the Air Force. It's a regular exercise from time to time in case of emergency. There is nothing to worry about," said Major General Eduardo Ano, chief of the Army's 10th Infantry Division.

The PAF Tactical Operations Group (TOG) plans, controls and coordinates the employment of tactical air support elements for the military in Eastern Mindanao.

The 10th ID spokesperson, Lieutenant Vergel Lacambra, also said that before the training was launched, they airlifted the casualties from a clash between the government troops and communist rebels in Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Ano said another encounter happened while troops were pursuing the rebels who attacked the Mati police station last Sunday.

Lacambra said the second clash took place in Sitio Kupot, Barangay Banglasan in Montevista town, Compostela Valley at around 9 a.m. Thursday. The fighting lasted for about 15 minutes.

He said one member of the New People's Army's Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC) Front 3 was killed during the clash with the troops from the Philippine Army's 25th Infantry Battalion.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2015/02/19/night-flying-helicopters-part-paf-pilot-training-393221