To mark the completion of the Basa Air Base Runway rehabilitation, the Philippines and the United States held a Dedication Ceremony on November 6, 2023, in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
The ceremony was led by Sec Gilberto C Teodoro Jr, Department of National Defense, and Mr Robert Y Ewing, US Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines.
Several distinguished personalities accompanied the guests of honor, including Gen Romeo S Brawner Jr PA, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines; LtGen Stephen P Parreño PAF, Commanding General, Philippine Air Force; LtGen Scott L Pleus, Commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, and other representatives from United States government, local government agencies, different branches of the AFP, project contractors, and other stakeholders.
This runway rehabilitation is by far, the largest Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) project between the PH and US which amounts to over Php1.3 Billion.
After less than a year of rehabilitation, with reinforced pavement and improved structural integrity, the runway is now ready to accommodate larger and heavier aircraft, such as the PAF's cargo planes.
Further, the improved runway ensures safer conditions for training and operations of aircraft, especially during response to emergencies and calamities.
The ribbon cutting and blessing of the runway were followed by a low-pass flyby of four FA-50PH aircraft.
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