NEWSFLASH

GMA VOWS TO BOOST PAF HIGH-TECH CAPABILITIES

Malacanang, July 9, 2002 (STAR) - She’s the "pilot-in-command," and she wants high-tech gear for her troops.

President Arroyo vowed yesterday to upgrade the capability of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), using the $10 million in military assistance extended to the Philippines by the United States.

Taking top priority in the President’s shopping list are "electronic eyesight" gear, new helicopters and other equipment that will enable PAF pilots to fly at night and even during bad weather.

The President ordered Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Roy Cimatu and PAF chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor to ensure that the $10 million will include the acquisition of the "electronic eyesight" equipment that will give Air Force pilots night-flying capability and improve safety during bad weather.

As the "commander-in-chief who is also the nation’s pilot-in-command," Mrs. Arroyo underscored the need for the PAF to get these priority items as part of the AFP modernization program during the 55th anniversary rites of the PAF at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

"We need reliable air surveillance equipment. Balikatan showed us how indispensable these (air surveillance equipment) are. Our pilots need electronic eyesight when navigating in bad weather or at night," the President said.

This insight, she said, was drawn from the success gained by the military in its campaign to flush out the Abu Sayyaf Islamist rebels with the use of such equipment.

US President George W. Bush announced at the White House last week that the US government has approved the release of the $10-million military assistance for the modernization of the AFP.

Mrs. Arroyo told Palace reporters how awestruck former US Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific (CINCPAC) Adm. Dennis Blair and his staff of military experts were when they visited PAF troops based in Basilan to work out the "needs assessments" preparatory to the Balikatan exercises.

"That (visit) was the first chance Admiral Blair and his men had to see our war against the Abu Sayyaf up close," she said, "and when they visited me, they were awestruck, especially at our pilots, whom they saw land and take off almost vertically in heavily forested and (steeply) sloping terrain."

"They were awestruck at our PAF maintenance operators on the ground, who could put together all kinds of spare parts to make a (grounded) helicopter fly again," the President said.

The Chief Executive also announced that the delivery of 10 Huey helicopters is now "in the pipeline" to augment the PAF’s existing fleet of five UH-1H helicopters used in combat and rescue operations.

"Last year I said I would work for the acquisition of one more C-130," the President said. "That C1-30 is now serving duty. What I am saying is that when I say I will do something, I do it."

Mrs. Arroyo also cited the benefits gained from the recently concluded Balikatan exercises: "The Balikatan exercise of 2001 and 2002 breathe new life into our training programs. Future Balikatan and other programs under our various bilateral and multilateral agreements will have a heavy dose of night-flying and other capabilities that will enhance the expertise of the PAF," she said.

The President also said she wants a "large part" of the forthcoming Balikatan 02-2 exercises to focus on maintenance training and other measures that will ensure the safety of PAF pilots.

However, there are no takers for the presidential F-28 plane which Mrs. Arroyo put on sale last year. The proceeds from the sale have been earmarked by Mrs. Arroyo for the PAF modernization program.

The President also commended the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing led by Col. Tigs Ragasas for converting two of the presidential aircraft into gunships which the PAF uses as her airborne security escort during her provincial sorties. — Marichu Villanueva