JUNE  2009 PHOTO RELEASES

Flag Raising Awardees Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena presented awards to selected Air Force officers and an enlisted man during the First Monday Flag Raising held at the VAB Grandstand.  Recipients of the awards were (left lower photo) Sgt Gerome G Medina (Gold Cross Medal) and pilots Capt Nolan Anacleto G Tumesa (right photo) and 1Lt Melkie B Tadeo both awarded the Bronze Cross Medal (upper left photo). (Photo by A1C Abayari) POSTED:10:30  AM - 02 June 2009

US Secretary of Defense Visits Manila-Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena (right) led the welcome party for US Secretary of Defense, Dr Robert Gates at the AGES Ramp at the NAIA.  The honored guest and his delegation were on a three-day visit to the country. (Photo by A1C Abayari) POSTED:10:30  AM - 02 June 2009

Command Road Run Air Force Chief , Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena AFP (center), led Team Air Force in the Visayas, 560th ABW in a Command Road Run during his visit to Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-lapu City yesterday. Running with him are (left to right) 2Lt Jason Cadungog, BGen Edgardo C Mendoza Commander 560th ABW, BGen Isidoro Macaranas, Vice Commander 2AD,  Col Catalino Lauro Dela Cruz  Commander, 205th THW. POSTED:9:30  AM - 03 June 2009

MANDAYAN Class 20090Fernando Air Base, Lipa City - AFP Chief of Staff Lt Gen Victor S Ibrado (inset) led the Oath-taking of the 45 graduates comprising “Mandayan” Class 2009 of the Philippine Air Force Regular Officers Procurement Program (PAFROPP). The graduation was held at the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Grandstand in Fernando Air Base, Lipa City.  Defense Secretary Hon. Gilberto C Teodoro Jr. is Guest of Honor. The ceremony capped the fifteen (15) months of rigid training for the newest batch of PAF officers. (Photo by A1C Abayari) more photoPOSTED:9:30  AM - 04 June 2009

“Keeping In-Step while Saving Lives” Personnel of  the 5053^rd Search and Rescue Squadron of the 505^th Search and Rescue Group, the “Angels of the Southern Skies” (photos left to right, clockwise) airlifted  a total of twenty-one (21) injured survivors, nineteen (19) cadavers, forty-four (44) paramedics and media personnel and sixteen (16) military security during the rescue and retrieval operations in Compostela Valley last May 19.  Left lower photo shows the extent of the landslide taken aboard a search and rescue helicopter. POSTED:1:30  PM - 05 June 2009

lacson assumed 3rd ad - EAAB, zAMBOANGA cITY - Air Force Chief LT GEN OSCAR H RABENA AFP right), was presiding officer and Guest of Honor during the Turnover Ceremony at 3rd Air Division last June 5, 2009.  Photo shows the Air Force Chief  handing over the unit symbol to MGEN MARIO BUTCH R LACSON (left),   the incoming 3rd  Air Division Commander . MGEN HERNANIE B PEREZ , the outgoing commander 3rd AD is in the middle. The ceremony was held at 3rd AD Headquarters in Zamboanga City. .(Photo by Sgt Tombado)POSTED: 9:10  AM - 08 June 2009

PAF BLOOD LETTING 09 - PAF GYM, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena (lying on the cot) volunteers to donate "first blood" in support of the Blood Letting Activity held today at the PAF Gymnasium.  The event will be simultaneously replicated today in other PAF bases and installations. This is part of the month-long activity for the 62nd PAF Anniversary on July 1.  The life-saving event will benefit the PAFGH and PNRC.  The affair was organized by the PAF General Hospital and the AFPMC. (Photo by Sgt Tombado )POSTED: 11:20  AM - 10  June 2009

SEARCH FOR TOPS 2010 -From L-R) Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor S. Ibrado and Rotary Club of Makati Metro president Atty. Hernando Perez, Jr. represented the three institutions during the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement signing. Held during the AFP-PNP Command Conference on Internal Security Operations in Camp Aguinaldo, over 70 high ranking officials of the AFP and PNP witnessed the MOA signing. Now on its 15^th year, TOPS is an annual search that honors the gallant men and women of the military. (Photo Courtesy of Metrobank Foundation, Inc.) POSTED: 10:11  AM - 11  June 2009

111th independence day-VAB Grandstand, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE. Philippine Air Force Vice Commander, MGEN ROLANDO P CAPACIA AFP, (Inset Photo) reads before the officers, men, women and civilian employees of the Command, the Independence Day message of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during a special Flag Raising Ceremony last 12 June 2009 to celebrate the 111th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence. PAF personnel were reminded to reminded of the sacrifices of our heroes who fought a mighty colonizer that resulted to our independence from foreign domination. (Photo by Sgt Tombado) POSTED: 10:50  AM - 12  June 2009

740TH TREE PLANTING LIPA, BATANGAS - MAJOR ARNEL L VILLAREAL PAF, Group Commander, 740^th CG spearheaded the simultaneous tree planting together with the Squadrons as part of the environmental protection activities of this group same with the campaign to save the earth from global warming tree planted compose of different variety such as Mahogany, Caballera, Philippine Teak, Narra and Langka with a total of Two Hundred seedlings conducted at H740th CG FAB, Lipa City.POSTED: 9:47 AM - 16  June 2009

TOG 4  participation - The Group Commander of TOG4 and enlisted personnel participated in the simultaneous Flag Raising Ceremony spearheaded by CSC for all officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, PNP personnel and other tenant units in front of HQTRS SOLCOM in commemoration of 111^th Founding Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day. This was followed by tree planting activity that was conducted by all TOG 4 personnel inside the perimeter of TOG 4 HQTRS. POSTED: 9:47 AM - 16  June 2009

TOG2 DONATIONS - The PAF at Cauayan Airport in Isabela saw the need to support the Cauayan Terminal which recently opened up its services to passenger traffic for commercial flight and donated ten (10) trash cans as part of the TOG 2 program of extending the 62^nd PAF Pre-Anniversary activities in other ways in this far Northeastern part of the country. Shown receiving the donation is Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director for Cauayan, Engr Roberto Alingod (Left) from LTC Joven Ronan, Commander TOG2. (Right)  POSTED: 9:47 AM - 16  June 2009

"lapinid tree -"BGEN LINO HORACIO E LAPINID AFP, Commander, 1^st Air Division spearheads the first Tree Planting activity held at TOG 2 last 11 June 09 by planting a “Lapinid Tree”  which is a mahogany tree.POSTED: 9:47 AM - 16  June 2009

GREENING OF 15^TH STRIKE WING In participation of the activities that form part of the 62^nd Philippine Air Force Anniversary Celebration, the 15^th Strike Wing joined the simultaneous Tree Planting Activity last 09 June 2009 in the  different areas of Major Danilo Atienza Air Base in Sangley Point, Cavite City. Leading the "green" activity is 15th SW Commander BGen Jose Tony E Villarete AFP.  Participants were able to plant 400 seedlings of mahogany and other kinds of trees around the base. POSTED: 9:47 AM - 16  June 2009

HONORS FOR SLAIN SOLDIERS Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - The AFP Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Victor S Ibrado arrived with the remains of soldiers from Zamboanga via a C-130 cargo aircraft yesterday afternoon. Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena (background right), with representatives from the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy, attend the military honors for slain soldiers at the VAB Grandstand.  The seven (7) Marine soldiers and a PNP member were casualties of an encounter with lawless elements in Basilan last Saturday.  (Photo by TSg Bruna) POSTED: 9:47 AM - 16  June 2009

SUTT CL 16 - 09 ENDS CAPAS, TARLAC - Air Force Chief of Air Staff, Brig Gen Jesus Fajardo was Guest of Honor and Speaker (inset photos) during the Commencement Ceremony for 563 graduates- including 46 newly CAD (Called to Active Duty) officers- of the Small Unit Tactics Training conducted at the 710th SPOW Training Hutment in Tarlac. To mark the event, a tree planting activity was conducted after the ceremony led by Brig Gen Fajardo. (Photo by Sgt Tombado) POSTED: 10:10 AM - 17  June 2009

EWLY PROMOTED PAF OFFICERS MALACAñAN PALACE, Manila - 17 June 2009 -  President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the Oath taking ceremony of recently confirmed AFP generals in Malacanañ Palace. Among those confirmed were (inset, left to right) Brig Gen Edgardo C Mendoza, Maj Gen Mario Butch R Lacson, Brig Gen Lorenzo S Gumba  and Brig Gen Ricardo C Banayat. (Photo by Sgt Tombado) POSTED: 8:45  AM - 19 June 2009

BLOOD DONATION PAF TOG4, Lucena City - Lucena-based Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 4 headed by Col John G Estoesta PAF (GSC) and Reservist Group of 3^rd Air Reserve Center conducted a joint Blood Letting Activity.  The event is in support of the lined-up activities for the forthcoming 62^nd PAF Founding Anniversary. A total of thirty four (34) blood donors coming from the different units within SOLCOM participated in the activity. (TOG4 Photo) POSTED: 11:10  AM - 22  June 2009

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TURALDE NOW  acOFas FOR EDUC & TRNG -A8 HPAF, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena (left) hands over the office symbol of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Education and Training A-8,  to incoming Director, Col William P Turalde (right). Outgoing OIC,  Col Godfrey R Julio (center) looks on.  The activity was held at the Hall of Flags, HPAF. (Photo by TSg Bruna)  POSTED: 11:10  AM - 22  June 2009

MEDCAP AT BATANGAS Batangas City - PAF Chief, Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena spearheaded a free Medical and Dental sortie for indigent residents of San Juan, Batangas.  Free medicines were distributed after each consultation.  The event  was held at Escribano Elementary School where Lt Gen Rabena distributed rubber slippers to school children.  The civic action is one of the lined-up activities in connection with the 62nd PAF Anniversary on July 1. (Photo by AW Eranista) POSTD: 2:00  PM - 22  June 2009

PAF FUN RUN 2009 Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena PAF leads the Team Air Force in the just concluded PAF Fun Run last early morning of 23 June 2009.  Said physical activity was held in connection with the 62nd PAF Anniversary on 01 July 2009. (Photo by AM Vidallo) POSTED: 11:50  AM - 24 June 2009

AIR POWER SYMPOSIUM ‘09 Villamor Air Base, Pasay City -  PAF Chief, Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena (center) with invited resource speakers and participants of Air Power Symposium '09 pose for posterity after the Opening Ceremony.  The APS 2009  aims to spread Air Power ethos amongst the different stakeholders, advocating the use of air power for  national development and security. It was held for the first time at the PAF Aerospace Museum.  The event is part of a series of events that will culminate in a formal program to mark the 62nd PAF Day on July 1, 2009. (Photo by TSg Bruna) POSTED: 11:50  AM - 24 June 2009

PAF 62ND ANNIVERSARY FORMAL DINNER  SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Makati City - Secretary of National Defense, Hon Gilberto C Teodoro Jr cuts the PAF Anniversary Cake with a saber as Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena AFP and former Air Force Chiefs retired General Ramon J Farolan (left) and General Benjamin Defensor  Jr (2nd from left).  The occasion was during the PAF Formal Dining-in  held at the Shangrila Makati on 25 June 2009.  The event is one of the series of activities highlighting the 62nd PAF Anniversary on July 1, 2009. (Photo by TSg Bruna) POSTED: 1:00  PM - 26 June 2009

MASS WEDDING Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - 28 June 2009 St. Therese Church- Air Force Chief, Lt  Gen Oscar H Rabena AFP and his lady, Mrs.  Josie  Rabena (seated in  front) were  main wedding sponsors at a  Mass Wedding for Air Force couples held at the St. Therese Church last Sunday, June 28, 2009. Twenty-five couples received the sacrament in Col Jesus Villamor Air Base together with other Air Force couples in all PAF bases.  The simultaneous holding of the mass wedding is one of the highlights of the celebration for the 62nd PAF Day on July 1. (Photo by TSg Bruna)  POSTED: 9:00  AM - 30 June 2009

PAF RETIREES DAY Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - 29 June 2009 - Lt Gen  Oscar H Rabena, CG, PAF (left), troops the line with the Troop Commander and  former Chief of Staff/ Air Force Chief Gen Benjamin Defensor Jr (right), the top honoree during the holding of PAF Retirees' Day, June 29, 2009.  The activity is part of the series of events that will culminate in a formal program to mark the 62nd anniversary of the PAF on July 1. (Photo by TSg Bruna) POSTED: 9:00  AM - 30 June 2009