BLESSING OF THE FOURTH BATCH OF FA-50PH JETS

Submitted by lizahiede on Mon, 06/25/2018 - 10:48

07 April 2017

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) held a formal Acceptance, Turn-over and Blessing Ceremony of the two newly-acquired FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighters Trainer Aircraft (F/SA/LIFTA) with tail numbers 007 and 008 on April 6, 2017 at the Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Air Base in Pampanga. The event was graced by the Chief of Air Staff of the PAF, Major General Rozzano D Briguez AFP.

These two additional jets that arrived at Clark Air Base on March 29 will add up to the existing six FA-50PH jets – making it a total of eight – which are currently in the PAF’s inventory. Meanwhile, the delivery of the four remaining jets is expected to be completed within 2017.

The ceremony was highlighted by the turn-over of aircraft documents to the end-users, the Air Defense Wing, and blessing of and ceremonial pouring of champagne on the new platforms.

In his remarks, the Guest of Honor, Major General Briguez, expressed his sincerest appreciation to the South Korea government for being its partner in the procurement of the jets, as well as to the previous administration for making it happen. According to him, bringing back the prestige of the PAF has been a challenge to the organization. Nevertheless, with the arrival of these jets, the PAF will continue to grow and progress with high hopes of providing peace and security in the entire nation.