Philippine Air Force
Unanswered Questions
Encyclopedia
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.
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
. The Air Force was preceded by the:
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.
and the F-16 Fighting Falcon
. The PAF planned to purchase modern fighter aircraft after the 1995 enactment of the AFP Modernization Act.. 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. 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.
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.
Engines of 20 MD-520 attack helicopters are currently being overhauled. The PAF elected to pursue this project via FMS.
helicopters. Delivery is scheduled for 1st quarter of 2011.
. 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.
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.
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.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Active
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Aermacchi S-211
||
Italy || ground support and jet training || S-211 || 13, 6
|Sources disagree.
|-----
| North American OV-10 Bronco || || attack aircraft || OV-10A/C/A SLEP|| 11 || Obtained in two batches. First batch from USAF stocks, with a follow-on acquisition from Thailand. Another donation from Thailand will follow.
|-----
| Aermacchi SF-260TP/MP/WP || Italy || attack aircraft and trainer aircraft (MP/WP)|| SF-260TP/MP/WP || 33 (+10) || all MP / WP variants was traded-in for the TP procurement during 1991-1993 8 new units received as of Nov. with 10 remaining SF-260E due by April 2011.
|-----
| McDonnell Douglas Defender
|| || attack helicopter || MD-520MG || 25 ||
|-----
| Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk || || multirole helicopter || S-70A || 2 ||Presidential Aircraft
|-----
| Sikorsky S-76 Spirit
|| || multirole helicopter ||AUH-76 || 11 || The PAF originally received 17 aircraft
|-----
| Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules
|| || medium transport aircraft || C-130B/H || 2|| 6 are stored
|-----
| Fokker F27 Friendship
||
Netherlands || personnel transport || F27-MPA || 2|| Medium Transport
|-----
| GAF Nomad
|| || light transport aircraft || || 12 || +1 stored
|-----
| Fokker F28 Fellowship
|| Netherlands || light transport aircraft || || 1 || Presidential Aircraft
|-----
| Cessna T-41 Mescalero || || training aircraft || || 29 || Delivered in the last quarter of 2008, South Korea donated 15 aircraft to the 410th Maintenance Wing unassembled.
|-----
| Bell Huey II || || transport helicopter and SAR Helicopter || || 5 || The PAF acquired a license to perform in-house Huey II upgrades circa 2003
|-----
| Bell UH-1H || || transport helicopter || UH-1H || 100+||
|-----
| Bell 205 || || light transport helicopter || || 8 ||
|-----
| Bell 412
|| || transport helicopter || || 3 || These aircraft are leased, and operated by the Presidential Airlift Wing..
|-----
|-----
|}
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, 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.
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
2. On 27 January 2010, N22 Nomad Military Transport Aircraft tail number "18" crashed, with 9 fatalities including an Air Force General.
3. On 24 February 2010, OV-10C Bronco COIN aircraft tail number "399" crashed, with 2 fatalities.
4. On 19 July 2010, S-211 jet trainer aircraft tail number "024" crashed, with no fatalities.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Received
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Northrop F-5 || || fighter/bomber ||F-5A
F-5B ||37 ||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
|-----
| Vought F-8 Crusader || || 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.
|-----
| North American F-86 Sabre || || fighter/bomber || F-86F
F-86D ||50|| Replaced by the Northrop F-5A
|-----
| North American P-51 Mustang || || fighter/bomber|| ||100+ || PAF's 1950s Fighter
|-----
| North American T-28 Trojan || || light strike aircraft|| || 70 ||Replaced by OV-10 Bronco
|-----
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor || || trainer aircraft || || 70 || Replaced by the SF-260
|-----
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain || || transport aircraft || || ? || Replaced by the C-130
|-----
| Grumman HU-16 Albatross || || transport aircraft || || ? ||
|-----
| P-26 Peashooter
|| || fighter plane || || 31 || Destroyed during World War II
|-----
| Bell 212 || || utility helicopter || || 1 || A presidential aircraft that crashed in Benguet Province.
|-----
| Aerospatiale Puma
|| || presidential helicopter ||SA-330J || 2 || ||
|-----
|}
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of the Republic of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and one of the three main services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
. Its official name in Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
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.
History
Became a separate military service on July 1, 1947, when PresidentPresident of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Manuel Roxas
Manuel Roxas
Manuel Acuña Roxas was the first president of the independent Third Republic of the Philippines and fifth president overall. He served as president from the granting of independence in 1946 until his abrupt death in 1948...
issued Executive Order No. 94. This order created the Philippine Naval Patrol
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
and the Air Force as equal branches of the Philippine Army
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
and the Philippine Constabulary
Philippine Constabulary
The Philippine Constabulary ' was the oldest of four service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was a gendarmerie type para-military police force of the Philippines established in 1901 by the United States-appointed administrative authority replacing the Guardia Civil...
. The Air Force was preceded by the:
- Philippine Air Service
- Philippine Constabulary Air Corps (no aircraft)
- Philippine Army Air CorpsPhilippine Army Air CorpsThe Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assembly's National Defense Act of 1935. By 1940, the corps had around 40 aircraft and 100 pilots, 500 personnel, and six squadrons...
Commanding Generals
The following are the list of Commanding Generals of the PAF:- Lt. Gen. Pelagio A. CruzPelagio A. CruzLieutenant General Pelagio A. Cruz was born on June 16, 1912, in Baliuag, Bulacan. He entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1932, and was commissioned as Third Lieutenant upon graduation in 1935...
(9 June 1947 - 27 October 1947 (acting); 3 November 1953 - 31 July 1956) - Brig. Gen. Eustacio D. Orobia
- Brig. Gen. Benito Nicano R. Ebuen
- Maj. Gen. Pedro Q. Molina
- Brig. Gen. Jonas A. Victoria
- Brig. Gen. Agusto L. Jurado
- Maj. Gen. Victor Dizon
- Brig. Gen. Jose B. Ramos
- Brig. Gen. Emmanuel S. Casabar
- Brig. Gen. Juan B. Guevarra
- Brig. Gen. Jesus Z. Singson
- Brig. Gen. Jose L. Rancudo
- Maj. Gen. Samuel O. Sarmiento
- Brig. Gen. Petronio M. Lapena
- Maj. Gen. Vicente M. Piccio, Jr.
- Maj. Gen. Ramon J. Farolan, Jr.
- Lt. Gen. Antonio E. Sotelo
- Maj. Gen. Jose De Leon, Jr.
- Maj.Gen. Geraldo C. Protacio
- Lt. Gen. Loven C. Abadia
- Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Acot
- Lt. Gen. Nicasio Rodriguez, Jr.
- Lt. Gen. William K. Hotchkiss III
- Lt. Gen. Willie Cacdac Florendo
- Lt. Gen. Benjamin P. Defensor, Jr.
- Lt. Gen. Nestor R. Santillan
- Lt. Gen. Jose L. Reyes
- Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino
- Lt. Gen. Pedrito Sinco Cadungog
- Lt. Gen. Oscar H. Rabena
Modernization programs
Over 15 years after the 1995 passage of the Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) Moderation Program (Republic Act 7898), the Philippine Air Force remains in dire need of modernization. The current incarnation of the AFP modernization program is the Capability Upgrade Program (CUP) 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.
Multi-role fighters
In 1992 the PAF received offers for both the IAI KfirIAI Kfir
The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:...
and the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
. The PAF planned to purchase modern fighter aircraft after the 1995 enactment of the AFP Modernization Act.. According to a 1996 article in Flight International
Flight International
Flight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
magazine, PAF was also offered embargoed Pakistani Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
F-16A/Bs and new-build F-18C/Ds, and considered the Dassault Mirage 2000, the JF-17 Thunder
JF-17 Thunder
The PAC JF-17 Thunder , or CAC FC-1 Xiaolong , is a light-weight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation of China, the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex...
and the MAPO-MiG MiG-29. The article also reports that earlier offers of secondhand French Dassault Mirage F-1s and Denel Cheetahs
Atlas Cheetah
The Atlas Cheetah is a fighter aircraft currently operated by the Ecuadorian Air Force. It was operated by the South African Air Force between 1986 and 2008. It was first built as a major upgrade of the Dassault Mirage III by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa in South Africa and is...
from South Africa appeared to have been rejected. 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
Counter insurgency
A counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency taken up against it...
) operations, in particular, more helicopter gunships and transport aircraft.
In June 2010 the Department of National Defense
Department of National Defense (Philippines)
The Department of National Defense is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for guarding against external and internal threats to peace and security in the country...
(DND) is also looking at Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
or France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for the acquisition of fighter jets.
Helicopters
The Department of National Defense, on behalf of the PAF, is currently pursuing the following acquisition projects: eight (8) Combat Utility Helicopters (CUH), 7 attack helicopters (AH) and 10 additional UH-1H helicopters.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.
Engines of 20 MD-520 attack helicopters are currently being overhauled. The PAF elected to pursue this project via FMS.
PZL W-3 Sokol
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 SokolPZL W-3 Sokól
|-Civil Versions:Civil production versions.W-3 SokółW-3A SokółW-3AS SokółW-3A2 SokółW-3AM Sokół-Military Versions:Military production versions.thumb|right|PZL W-3RL at [[31st Air Base]]...
helicopters. Delivery is scheduled for 1st quarter of 2011.
Training aircraft
The first aircraft to be acquired for the five-year modernization plan were the Aermacchi S-211Aermacchi S-211
The Aermacchi S-211 is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by SIAI Marchetti as the S.211. Some 60 aircraft have been sold to air forces around the world. Aermacchi bought the production rights in 1997...
. 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.
Additional T-41s
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.New SF-260
The Aermacchi SF.260 acquisition is also on its way after being delayed due to exchange rate issue with Alenia Aermacchi. 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.. 8 brand new units have been delivered as of November 2010, with the remaining 10 due by 1st quarter 2011.Replacement for S-211
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. 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.Transport aircraft
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.. This might eventually replace the N-22B Nomad transport planes currently in service.Chinese sources
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.Miscellaneous reports
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.
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.
Aircraft inventory
, the backbone of the PAF inventory consists of:! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Active
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Aermacchi S-211
Aermacchi S-211
The Aermacchi S-211 is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by SIAI Marchetti as the S.211. Some 60 aircraft have been sold to air forces around the world. Aermacchi bought the production rights in 1997...
||
Italy || ground support and jet training || S-211 || 13, 6|Sources disagree.
|-----
| North American OV-10 Bronco || || attack aircraft || OV-10A/C/A SLEP|| 11 || Obtained in two batches. First batch from USAF stocks, with a follow-on acquisition from Thailand. Another donation from Thailand will follow.
|-----
| Aermacchi SF-260TP/MP/WP ||
Italy || attack aircraft and trainer aircraft (MP/WP)|| SF-260TP/MP/WP || 33 (+10) || all MP / WP variants was traded-in for the TP procurement during 1991-1993 8 new units received as of Nov. with 10 remaining SF-260E due by April 2011.|-----
| McDonnell Douglas Defender
MD 500 Defender
|-See also:-External links:* *...
|| || attack helicopter || MD-520MG || 25 ||
|-----
| Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk || || multirole helicopter || S-70A || 2 ||Presidential Aircraft
|-----
| Sikorsky S-76 Spirit
Sikorsky S-76
The Sikorsky S-76 is an American medium-size commercial utility helicopter. The S-76 is powered by two turboshaft engines, which drive both the main and tail rotors, each with four blades...
|| || multirole helicopter ||AUH-76 || 11 || The PAF originally received 17 aircraft
|-----
| Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
|| || medium transport aircraft || C-130B/H || 2|| 6 are stored
|-----
| Fokker F27 Friendship
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
||
Netherlands || personnel transport || F27-MPA || 2|| Medium Transport|-----
| GAF Nomad
GAF Nomad
The GAF Nomad is a twin-engine turboprop, high-winged, "short take off and landing" aircraft . It was designed and built by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermens Bend, Melbourne. Major users of the design have included the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, the...
|| || light transport aircraft || || 12 || +1 stored
|-----
| Fokker F28 Fellowship
Fokker F28
The Fokker F28 Fellowship is a short range jet airliner designed and built by defunct Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:...
||
Netherlands || light transport aircraft || || 1 || Presidential Aircraft|-----
| Cessna T-41 Mescalero || || training aircraft || || 29 || Delivered in the last quarter of 2008, South Korea donated 15 aircraft to the 410th Maintenance Wing unassembled.
|-----
| Bell Huey II || || transport helicopter and SAR Helicopter || || 5 || The PAF acquired a license to perform in-house Huey II upgrades circa 2003
|-----
| Bell UH-1H || || transport helicopter || UH-1H || 100+||
|-----
| Bell 205 || || light transport helicopter || || 8 ||
|-----
| Bell 412
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...
|| || transport helicopter || || 3 || These aircraft are leased, and operated by the Presidential Airlift Wing..
|-----
|-----
|}
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, 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.
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
2. On 27 January 2010, N22 Nomad Military Transport Aircraft tail number "18" crashed, with 9 fatalities including an Air Force General.
3. On 24 February 2010, OV-10C Bronco COIN aircraft tail number "399" crashed, with 2 fatalities.
4. On 19 July 2010, S-211 jet trainer aircraft tail number "024" crashed, with no fatalities.
Former (major) aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Received
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Northrop F-5 || || fighter/bomber ||F-5A
F-5B ||37 ||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
|-----
| Vought F-8 Crusader || || air superiority fighter/Interceptor || ||27 || Placed in open storage 1988-01-23 at Basa Air Base
Basa Air Base
Basa Air Base , is a Philippine Air Force base located at Floridablanca, Pampanga in the Philippines....
. They suffered irreparable damage from Mt. Pinatubo's eruption on 1991-06-15.
|-----
| North American F-86 Sabre || || fighter/bomber || F-86F
F-86D ||50|| Replaced by the Northrop F-5A
|-----
| North American P-51 Mustang || || fighter/bomber|| ||100+ || PAF's 1950s Fighter
|-----
| North American T-28 Trojan || || light strike aircraft|| || 70 ||Replaced by OV-10 Bronco
|-----
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor || || trainer aircraft || || 70 || Replaced by the SF-260
|-----
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain || || transport aircraft || || ? || Replaced by the C-130
|-----
| Grumman HU-16 Albatross || || transport aircraft || || ? ||
|-----
| P-26 Peashooter
P-26 Peashooter
The American Boeing P-26 Peashooter, was the first all-metal production fighter aircraft and the first pursuit monoplane used by the United States Army Air Corps...
|| || fighter plane || || 31 || Destroyed during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
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| Bell 212 || || utility helicopter || || 1 || A presidential aircraft that crashed in Benguet Province.
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| Aerospatiale Puma
Aérospatiale Puma
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
|| || presidential helicopter ||SA-330J || 2 || ||
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Organization in 2006
| 15th Strike Wing 15th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force The mission of the 15th Strike Wing is to conduct tactical air operations in support of Armed Forces of the Philippines units. The unit is headquartered at Danilo Atienza Air Base, Sangley Point, Cavite, just outside the capital Manila. The Wing, as of 2009, was organized with Personal,... | HQ, Maj. Danillo S. Atienza AB, Sangley Point, Cavite) |
|---|---|
| 16th Attack Squadron (Eagles) 16th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force The mission of the 16th Attack Squadron is to provide tacical air operations designed to destroy enemy forces and installations. Its specific functions include: providing close air support to ground and naval forces; performing tactical air reconnaissance; provides rocket, bomb, gun attacks on... |
OV-10A/C/A SLEP |
| 17th Attack Squadron (Jaguars) | SF.260TP |
| 18th Attack Squadron (Falcons) | MD-520MG |
| 20th Attack Squadron (Firebirds) | MD-520MG |
| 25th Attack Squadron (Lobos) | 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 |
Air bases/Air Stations
The Philippine Air Force has nine air bases located throughout the Philippine archipelago:- Clark Air BaseClark Air BaseClark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila. Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991...
at the Diosdado Macapagal International AirportDiosdado Macapagal International AirportDiosdado Macapagal International Airport , also called Clark International Airport , is the main airport serving the immediate vicinity of the Clark Freeport Zone and the general area of Angeles City in the Philippines...
complex, PampangaPampangaPampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
- Air Logistics Command, 710th Special Operations Wing - Cesar Basa Air BaseBasa Air BaseBasa Air Base , is a Philippine Air Force base located at Floridablanca, Pampanga in the Philippines....
, Floridablanca, PampangaFloridablanca, PampangaFloridablanca is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, Floridablanca has a population of 103,388, with an area of 17,548 hectares or 175.48 square kilometers....
- Air Defense Wing - Jesus Villamor Air BaseVillamor AirbaseVillamor Air Base is home of the Philippine Air Force. It is chiefly used as an air base for PAF transport and helicopter flights. It is also the military base that the Philippine president uses when departing for foreign or domestic trips abroad, though foreign departures are mostly done at the...
, Pasay CityPasay CityThe City of Pasay is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.Pasay City was one of the original four...
- Main Headquarters, 250th Presidential Airlift Wing - Danilo Atienza Air BaseDanilo Atienza Air Base- Overview :On 1 September 1971, the base was turned over the Philippine Navy and Air Force, with the facility being renamed Sangley Point Air Base. The two services jointly operated the facility....
, Cavite CityCavite CityThe City of Cavite is a fourth class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. The city occupies a hook shaped peninsula jutting out into Manila Bay. Cavite City used to be the capital of the province...
- 15th Strike Wing - Basilio Fernando Air BaseFernando Air BaseFernando Air Base was originally constructed by the Japanese Imperial Army over an area of a wide sugar cane plantation before the Second World War. It is 1,220 feet above sea level and is situated on a plateau overlooking Taal Volcano with an area of 288 hectares of land, about 45...
, Lipa CityLipa CityThe Lipa City /Li-pâ/ is a first class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It is one of the three component cities of Batangas province...
, BatangasBatangasBatangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
- Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Research and Development Center - Antonio Bautista Air Base, PalawanPalawanPalawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
- 570th Compostie Tactical Wing - Benito Ebuen Air BaseMactan Air BaseMactan Air Base was a facility of the United States Air Force located on Mactan Island in Cebu, Philippines.-Location:Mactan Air Base is located on Mactan Island, off Cebu City in the province Cebu in the south central Philippines...
, CebuMactan IslandMactan is an island located a few kilometres from Cebu Island in the Philippines. The island is part of Cebu Province and it is divided into Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova...
- 220th Airlift Wing - Edwin Andrews Air BaseZamboanga International AirportZamboanga International Airport is the main airport serving Zamboanga City in the Philippines. The airport is Mindanao's third-busiest airport after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City...
, ZamboangaZamboanga CityThe City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
- 530th Composite Tactical Wing - Rajah Buayan Air BaseGeneral Santos International AirportGeneral Santos International Airport is an alternate international airport located in General Santos City, Philippines serving the greater area of SOCCSKSARGEN...
, General Santos CityGeneral Santos CityThe City of General Santos is the southernmost port city of the Philippines. Being a highly urbanized first class city, GenSan is one of the most populous urban centers in the country with a population of 679,588 as per census data of 2010...
, South CotabatoSouth CotabatoSouth Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east... - Lumbia AirportLumbia Airport- See also :* Misamis Oriental* Laguindingan International Airport, the first International airport in Northern Mindanao region.* List of airports in the Philippines* Northern Mindanao, designated as Region X in the Philippines....
, Cagayan de Oro CityCagayan de Oro CityCagayan de Oro; , officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines... - Wallace Air StationWallace Air StationWallace Air Station was a United States Air Force facility located in San Fernando, La Union, Luzon Island, The Philippines.-History and Background:...
- 580th Control And Warning Wing - TOG Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-TawiTawi-TawiTawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . The capital of Tawi-Tawi is Bongao. The province is the southernmost of the country sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and the Indonesian East Kalimantan province. To the...
External links
- Official Web Site
- History of the PAF
- Photos of PAF F-8 Crusaders
- Unofficial PAF Homepage
- PAF page atScramble
- Philippine OV-10s
- Philippine Defense Forum (Timawa.net) - independent discussion boards for Philippine military and defense issues.
- Papers of William Lecel Lee, former Technical Advisor to the Philippine Air Force and Chief of the Constabulary Air Corps, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library