| Philippine Air Force Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas |
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|---|---|
Philippine Air Force Emblem |
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| Founded | July 1, 1947 (as an independent service) |
| Country | Republic of the Philippines |
| Type | Air force |
| Size | approximately 17,000 |
| Part of | Armed Forces of the Philippines |
| Headquarters | Villamor Air Base, Pasay City |
| Nickname | PAF |
| Motto | The "First Force" |
| March | Air Force Hymn |
| Engagements | World War II Communist Insurgencies |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force | Lieutenant General Oscar H. Rabena, PAF |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Low Visibility Roundel | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | OV-10A/C/A SLEP, SF-260TP, MD-520MG |
| Helicopter | S-70A, AUH-76, Huey II, UH-1H, Bell 205, Bell 412 |
| Trainer | S-211, SF-260MP, T-41D |
| Transport | UH-1H, C-130B/H, F27-MPA, Nomad, F28, Bell 205, Bell 412 |
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is the air force of the Republic of the Philippines, and one of the three main services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas.
On January 9, 2009, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Maj. Gen. Oscar Rabena as the 31st commanding general replacing Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog. The change of command ceremony was held on January 11, 2009.
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Became a separate military service on July 1, 1947, when President Manuel Roxas issued Executive Order No. 94. This order created the Philippine Naval Patrol and the Air Force as equal branches of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Constabulary.[1] The Air Force was preceded by the:
The following are the list of Commanding Generals of the PAF[2]:
Over 15 years after the 1995 passage of the Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) Moderation Program (Republic Act 7898)[3], the Philippine Air Force remains in dire need of modernization. The current incarnation of the AFP modernization program is the Capability Upgrade Program (CUP)[4] which defers PAF-related modernization efforts to the second and third phases of a three-phase program. Much to the consternation of PAF observers and personnel, the first phase, dubbed "Back to Basics" focuses on improving the AFP's ability to conduct Internal Security Operations (ISO). What little funding the PAF receives in this phase revolve around the PAF's role in supporting ground operations.
More advanced aircraft are expected in Phases 2 and 3 of the CUP, which is when genuine modernization is expected to start. PAF-related components of these phases are grouped into what it calls "Horizon programs", with Horizon 2 expected to begin in the 2010 to 2012 time frame[5].
In 1992 the PAF received offers for both the IAI Kfir and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.[6] The PAF planned to purchase modern fighter aircraft after the 1995 enactment of the AFP Modernization Act.[3]. According to a 1996 article in Flight International magazine, PAF was also offered embargoed Pakistani Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs and new-build F-18C/Ds, and considered the Dassault Mirage 2000, the JF-17 Thunder and the MAPO-MiG MiG-29. The article also reports that earlier offers of secondhand French Dassault Mirage F-1s and Denel Cheetahs from South Africa appeared to have been rejected.[7] However, these modernization programs were put on hold after the Philippines' economy was impacted by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
As the service focuses on the current Internal Security Operations (ISO) of the AFP, current efforts are concentrated on the acquisition of aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations, in particular, more helicopter gunships and transport aircraft.
In June 2010, the Department of National Defense (DND) is also looking at Canada or France for the acquisition of fighter jets.[4]
21 December 2011, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario the Philippines will seek a squadron of 12 F-16 fighter jets.[8] Del Rosario said the request for fighters have already been relayed to American officials and their initial response was encouraging.
The Department of National Defense, on behalf of the PAF, is currently pursuing the following acquisition projects: eight (8) Combat Utility Helicopters (CUH)[9], 7 attack helicopters (AH)[10] and 10 additional UH-1H helicopters.[11]
An older acquisition project, the Night Capable Attack Helicopter (NCAH), was abandoned due to procedural irregularities. The Office of the Ombudsman is currently investigating this project.[12]
Engines of 20 MD-520 attack helicopters are currently being overhauled. The PAF elected to pursue this project via FMS.[13]
On December 2009, the DND issued a notice of award worth PhP 2.8 billion to PZL Swidnik S.A. of Poland, as the winner of the Combat Utility Helicopter (CUH) program for eight (8) PZL W-3 Sokol helicopters. Delivery is scheduled for 1st quarter of 2011.[14]
The first aircraft to be acquired for the five-year modernization plan were the Aermacchi S-211. With the retirement of its F-5s in 2005, these trainers assumed the role as principal jet combat aircraft of the Philippine Air Force.
To address a chronic backlog in pilot training, where prospective pilots are temporarily assigned alternative functions because of a lack of training aircraft, the PAF issued requirements for additional T-41 Mescaleros and SF-260 trainers.
Fifteen (15) additional second-hand T-41Bs arrived on December 4, 2008 by way of Korea. These were given free, but in disassembled form. These arrived at the 410th Maintenance Wing in Clark AFB, whose personnel completed re-assembly of the aircraft February 12, 2009 – 4 days ahead of schedule. These were inaugurated into service on March 5.[15]
The Aermacchi SF.260 acquisition is also on its way after being delayed due to exchange rate issue with Alenia Aermacchi.[15] Aerotech Industries Philippines, the domestic partner of Alenia Aermacchi, will be delivering the first batch of 4 locally-assembled aircraft to the air force by June 2010. The contract involves 18 new aircraft.[16][17]. 8 brand new units have been delivered as of November 2010, with the remaining 10 due by 1st quarter 2011.
In May 2010, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena announced that the PAF was ordered to submit generic types of advanced jet trainers that will replace the S-211.[18] According to Gen. Rabena, they are choosing models from Europe and Asia, and following evaluation, the Department of National Defense will open bidding for the purchase of such aircraft.[18]
With a shortage of transport aircraft, the Philippine Air Force announced in February 2010 its intention to purchase a refurbished C-130H and three smaller transport aircraft to augment its fleet. The smaller transport planes will accommodate at least 9 to 12 passengers.[19][16]. This might eventually replace the N-22B Nomad transport planes currently in service.[20]
December 2011, President Aquino promised to buy at least two more units of the C-130 Cargo plane for the Philippine Air Force, next year.[21]The are primarily for disaster relief efforts. Funds are available from loans and grants.
In 2007 the Philippine Air Force sent a delegation to China upon the formal invitation of China Aviation Industry Corp. (CATIC). The five-man team, led by Major General Pedro Ike Insierto, inspected the company's line of utility helicopters and fixed-wing transport aircraft. Lieutenant General Horacio Tolentino, Air Force chief at the time, clarified that the inspection did not signify an intent to purchase the aircraft being offered.[22]
According to Air Force Public Information officer Major Gerardo M. Zamudio Jr., that aside from the new SF-260 trainer planes and night capable attack helicopters, the PAF is set to purchase under its capability upgrade program, 6 advanced primary trainer aircraft, 10 additional Huey UH-1H utility helicopters, 8 brand new combat utility helicopters, 7 new attack helicopters, 2 light lift aircraft, and 12 trainer helicopters.
These acquisitions and upgrades, including aerial surveillance cameras, communication equipment, 1.2-ton trucks, and additional military hardware, are part of PAF’s Horizon 1, the internal security - centered stage of modernization focused on making insurgent groups irrelevant by the year 2010.
Horizon 2, the transition stage to territorial defense, is set to take effect by 2012.[23] Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog said the Air Force is presently in the process of making a study of what type of fighter jets they are going to acquire. He said the acquisition can only start after 2010 which is the projected defeat of internal security threats.[24]
As of 2010[update], the backbone of the PAF inventory consists of:
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aermacchi S-211 | Italy | ground support and jet training | S-211 | 13[25], 6[27] | Sources disagree. |
| North American OV-10 Bronco | United States | attack aircraft | OV-10A/C/A SLEP | 11 | Obtained in two batches. First batch from USAF stocks, with a follow-on acquisition from Thailand.[25] Another donation from Thailand will follow.[28] |
| Aermacchi SF-260TP/MP/WP | Italy | attack aircraft and trainer aircraft (MP/WP) | SF-260TP/MP/WP | 33 (+10)[29] | all MP / WP variants was traded-in for the TP procurement during 1991-1993[30] 8 new units received as of Nov. with 10 remaining SF-260E due by April 2011.[31] |
| McDonnell Douglas Defender | United States | attack helicopter | MD-520MG | 25[25] | |
| Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk | United States | multirole helicopter | S-70A | 2[32][33] | Presidential Aircraft |
| Sikorsky S-76 Spirit | United States | multirole helicopter | AUH-76 | 11[25] | The PAF originally received 17 aircraft |
| Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | United States | medium transport aircraft | C-130B/H | 2[29] | 6 are stored |
| Fokker F27 Friendship | Netherlands | personnel transport | F27-MPA | 2[25][34] | Medium Transport |
| GAF Nomad | Australia | light transport aircraft | 12[25] | +1 stored[25] | |
| Fokker F28 Fellowship | Netherlands | light transport aircraft | 1[34] | Presidential Aircraft | |
| Cessna T-41 Mescalero | United States | training aircraft | 29[29] | Delivered in the last quarter of 2008, South Korea donated 15 aircraft to the 410th Maintenance Wing unassembled.[15] | |
| Bell Huey II | United States | transport helicopter and SAR Helicopter | 5[35][36] | The PAF acquired a license to perform in-house Huey II upgrades circa 2003[37] | |
| Bell UH-1H | United States | transport helicopter | UH-1H | 100+[38] | |
| Bell 205 | United States | light transport helicopter | 8[25] | ||
| Bell 412 | United States | transport helicopter | 3[39] | These aircraft are leased, and operated by the Presidential Airlift Wing.[40]. |
Wherever possible the PAF has relied on local skills for modification projects, as in the recent Huey II program. However only 2 Hueys were modified in that program, which may not be continued.
The Philippine Air Force retired its fleet of Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter with a ceremony on October 1, 2005. The F-5s were used by the PAF's Blue Diamonds aerobatics team,[41] and have appeared in several films and television programs shot in the Philippines.
At one point, the PAF also operated 25 F-8H Crusaders—the most advanced fighter aircraft to see service in the PAF to date. Unlike the comparatively newer F-5As which were day- fighters with ranging radars only, the Crusaders gave the PAF true all-weather interception capability. These have since been retired, and the airframes are now being sold for scrap.[42]
In 1992 the Philippine Air Force received 24 OV-10A Broncos from the USAF-operated Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, replacing the AT-28D Trojan as the PAF's main air to ground aircraft to complement the MG-520s of the 15th Strike Wing based at Sangley Air Base, Cavite City. These OV-10s have been credited with numerous air strikes against the MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayaff, and NPA rebel forces, with zero losses during these sorties. Most PAF OV-10 losses have been due to pilot error, technical and mechanical issues, with aircrew losses mostly coming from the second batch of OV-10s delivered. Almost all of the original PAF OV-10 pilots are either on administrative duty or have left the PAF for civilian jobs.
From January to July 2010, there were 4 accidents and incidents with 11 fatalities:
1. On 4 January 2010, OV-10A Bronco COIN aircraft tail number "647" crash-landed, no fatalities[43]
2. On 27 January 2010, N22 Nomad Military Transport Aircraft tail number "18" crashed, with 9 fatalities including an Air Force General.[44]
3. On 24 February 2010, OV-10C Bronco COIN aircraft tail number "399" crashed, with 2 fatalities.[45]
4. On 19 July 2010, S-211 jet trainer aircraft tail number "024" crashed, with no fatalities.[46]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | Received | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northrop F-5 | United States | fighter/bomber | F-5A F-5B |
37[47] | Retired. The 10 remaining F-5s, out of a total of 37 acquired by the Philippine government from 1967 to 1998, were decommissioned in a ceremony in September 2005[47] | |
| Vought F-8 Crusader | United States | air superiority fighter/Interceptor | 27 | Placed in open storage 1988-01-23 at Basa Air Base. They suffered irreparable damage from Mt. Pinatubo's eruption on 1991-06-15.[48] | ||
| North American F-86 Sabre | United States | fighter/bomber | F-86F F-86D |
50 | Replaced by the Northrop F-5A | |
| North American P-51 Mustang | United States | fighter/bomber | 100+ | PAF's 1950s Fighter | ||
| North American T-28 Trojan | United States | light strike aircraft | 70 | Replaced by OV-10 Bronco | ||
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor | United States | trainer aircraft | 70 | Replaced by the SF-260 | ||
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain | United States | transport aircraft | ? | Replaced by the C-130 | ||
| Grumman HU-16 Albatross | United States | transport aircraft | ? | |||
| P-26 Peashooter | United States | fighter plane | 31 | Destroyed during World War II | ||
| Bell 212 | United States | utility helicopter | 1 | A presidential aircraft that crashed in Benguet Province. | ||
| Aerospatiale Puma | France | presidential helicopter | SA-330J | 2 |
| 15th Strike Wing[49] | HQ, Maj. Danillo S. Atienza AB, Sangley Point, Cavite) |
|---|---|
| 16th Attack Squadron (Eagles)[50] | OV-10A/C/A SLEP |
| 17th Attack Squadron (Jaguars)[51] | SF.260TP |
| 18th Attack Squadron (Falcons)[52] | MD-520MG |
| 20th Attack Squadron (Firebirds)[53] | MD-520MG |
| 25th Attack Squadron (Lobos)[54] | OV-10A/C/A SLEP; SF.260TP; MD-520MG |
| Air Defense 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-1H |
| 207th Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Stingers) | UH-1H |
| 208th Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Daggers) | UH-1H |
| 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 |
| Air Education and Training Command | Basilio Fernando AB, Lipa |
| 101st Primary Flying Training Sqn (Wildcat) | T-41D/Cessna 172-k |
| 102nd Basic Flying Training Sqn (Cougar) | 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 |
| 251st 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 |
The Philippine Air Force has nine air bases located throughout the Philippine archipelago:
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