The Philippine Air Force conducted the ceremonial Acceptance, Turn-over and Blessing Ceremony of the UH-1 spare parts and maintenance equipment from the Japanese Government through the Japanese Ministry of Defense on March 19, 2019 at Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
Throughout the years, Japan and Philippines have been committed to strengthen its relationship with various activities that will propel both their national agenda towards National Development. An example of these activities is the donation of UH-1 spare parts.
The first hand-over of the said items was done last March 11 as PAF visits Iruma, Air Base, Saitama Japan. The formal signing of the donation of the spare parts was completed last March 12, 2019 at the Japan Ministry of Defense Facility with USEC Raymundo DV Elefante representing the Philippine government. The CG, PAF was also present during the formal signing of the documents as witness.
The initial spare parts has a total amount of approximately ¥424 Million (PhP200 Million) and weighs 16,187.60 lbs. The total amount of the whole spare parts that will be donated is approximately ¥5.3 Billion (PhP2.5 Billion) which covers the different systems such as the airframe structure, dynamic power system, control system, rotor system, hydraulic system, electrical system, instrument system, and accessory items.
The remaining items are tentatively scheduled for shipment to the Philippines via Philippine Navy vessel on August 2019. The initial spare parts the C-130 picked-up last March 11 to 13 will be able to recover two (2) UH-1 on time for additional CUH ready to perform missions such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, transport, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activity of the PAF. Other spare parts will be utilized to a readily available UH-1H to maintain and increase higher operational readiness of the PAF.
The activity was attended by the PAF Commanding General, LTGEN ROZZANO D BRIGUEZ AFP and with the Secretary of National Defense Delfin N Lorenzana as the Guest of Honor. Moreover, the Assistant Commissioner Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency, Toshihiko Fujii; Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Minister Takehiro KANO; AFP Chief of Staff, GEN BENJAMIN MADRIGAL AFP; Commander of Air Logistics Command, MGEN ALLEN T PAREDES AFP; Commander of Air Mobility Command, MGEN ALEJANDRO A BACLAYON AFP; and Wing Commander of 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, COL RENE RAOUL ROMMEL DC HONASAN PAF (GSC) was also present during the said activity.
Photo by: MSg Bruna