Talk:Philippine Air Force/Temp

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The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is the air force of the Philippines. Its official name in Filipino (Tagalog) is Hukbong Panghimpapawid ng Pilipinas.

1 History
2 Aircraft
3 Organization in 2006
4 Expansion
5 Air Bases
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] History

The Philippine Air Force was established on July 1, 1947, making it one of the earliest independent air forces in Asia. It was also one of the best-equipped air forces during the 1950s and 1960s, with its P-51D Mustangs, and F-86D/F Sabre jets.

[edit] Aircraft

At present the backbone of the PAF inventory consists of:

Aermacchi S-211 for ground support and jet training
Aermacchi SF-260TP/WP for primary training and counter-insurgency (COIN)
North American Rockwell OV-10A/D Bronco for light ground attack
Hughes MG-520 Defender and Sikorsky S-76 attack helicopters
Lockheed C-130B/H Hercules, and Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters for transport duties
Fokker F28, mainly for the official domestic trips of the president of the Philippines
Fokker F-27, mainly as support to the C-130s
Cessna T-41, used for primary training

Wherever possible the PAF has relied on local skills for modification projects as in the recent Huey II program.

The Philippine Air Force retired its fleet of F-5A/B Freedom Fighters with a ceremony on October 1, 2005.

[edit] Organization in 2006

15th Strike Wing	HQ, Maj. Danillo S. Atienza AB, Sangley Point, Cavite
16th Attack Squadron (Eagles)	OV-10A/C/M
17th Attack Squadron (Jaguars)	SF.260TP
18th Tactical Air Support Squadron (Falcons)	MD 520MG
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron	MD 520MG
25th Attack Squadron	OV-10A/C/M
5th Tactical Wing	Basa AB, Pampanga
7th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Bulldogs)	S.211
205th Tactical Helicopter Wing	HQ, Benito Ebuen AB, Mactan Island, Cebu
206th Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Hornets)	UH-1
207th Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Stingers)	UH-1
208th Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Daggers)	UH-1
220th Airlift Wing	HQ, Benito Ebuen AB, Mactan Island, Cebu
221st Tactical Airlift Squadron (Fokkers)	Fokker F-27
222nd Tactical Airlift Squadron (Hercules)	C-130B/H
223rd Tactical Airlift Squadron (Nomads)	N-22B/C Nomad
100th Training Wing	Fernando AB, Lipa
101st Primary Flying Training Sqn (Layang)	T-41D/Cessna 172
102nd Basic Flying Training Sqn (Musang)	SF.260MP
505th Search and Rescue Group (Angels)	HQ, Col. Jesus A. Villamor AB, Pasay City, Metro Manila
5051st Search and Rescue Squadron	Huey II, Bell 205, S-76, UH-1H
5052nd Search and Rescue Squadron	Huey II, Bell 205, S-76, UH-1H
5053rd Search and Rescue Squadron	Huey II, Bell 205, S-76, UH-1H
5056th Search and Rescue Squadron	Huey II, Bell 205, S-76, UH-1H
250th Presidential Airlift Wing (Code one)	Col. Jesus A. Villamor AB, Pasay City, Metro Manila
251nd Presidential Airlift Squadron	Fokker F28
252nd Presidential Helicopter Squadron	S-76, S-70A, Bell 212, Bell 412
900th Weather Support Group	Col. Jesus A. Villamor AB, Pasay City, Metro Manila
901st Weather Squadron	Cessna T-210TG

[edit] Expansion

The planned purchase of modern fighter aircraft, with the F-16 Fighting Falcon, JAS 39C/D Gripen, F/A-18 Hornet, or the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle being the most popular choices, has been put on hold as the PAF concentrates in bringing its current fleet of aircraft into current and flyable standards. However, Air Force officials are trying to acquire surplus F-5E/F Tiger II [1][2] [3] aircraft from various countries as an interim solution to its need for fighter aircraft.

Current efforts are concentrated on the acquisition of aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations. The purchase of 6 second hand attack helicopters is given the highest priority, with ex-USMC AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters being the top choice. The purchase of more transport aircraft is also a priority.