President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed full support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as it fulfils new challenges in the performance of their duties, especially in their crucial role as the country’s first line of defense against external security threats.
“I am certain that our partners will be more than willing to aid us in developing your capabilities and making the necessary investments to ensure that we achieve our shared goals for the country and for this region,” the President told the officers and men of the AFP in Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
President Marcos also urged the AFP and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to remain steadfast in carrying out its sworn duty and to continue developing their capabilities as they regularly conduct maintenance and repair to keep all the military assets and equipment in good condition.
The Commander-in-Chief was in Clark Air Base for the inspection of the PAF’s recommissioning of two C-130T aircrafts with Tail Numbers 5011 and 5040.
“The return of this aircraft – with these tail numbers to our fleet after undergoing extensive repair and maintenance will enable the Philippine Air Force to more effectively conduct various missions, especially those involving humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” the chief executive said.
The President recognized PAF, as he expressed his appreciation to the Philippine partners in the US government and Portugal, for making the recommissioning possible.
President Marcos said the recommissioned aircrafts is a testament to the enduring friendship and the continued support of the US and Portugal to the Philippines.
Aside from inspecting the C130T aircraft, the Commander-in-Chief also witnessed the capability demonstration of the Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the C208B Grand Caravan EX.
The President also acknowledged the PAF for presenting him with an Honorary Philippine Air Force Gold Wing Award, which, the President said, inspires him to be counted among the esteemed list of Air Force awardees who have received the honorable distinction.
Under the AFP Modernization Program, PAF received from January 2022 to March 29, 2023, the following assets: three units of C-295 helicopters; first batch of Ground Based Air Defense System (GBADS) equipment including 11 Tatra vehicles, 12 units of I-Derby canisterized missiles, and four container vans of integrated logistics support packages for the GBADS Battery unit.
Also included in the new PAF assets are four units of T-129 ATAK helicopters. #
