The Philippine Air Force successfully conducted the 4-day Search and Rescue Challenge from May 22-25 2018 at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga; Basa Air Base, Floridablanca and at Subic, Zambales. MGEN ROMEO N DELA CRUZ, Commander, Air Logistics Command officially opened the competition wherein ten (10) Disaster Response Tasked Units (DRTUs) from nine (9) major PAF Bases and 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing exercised and assessed their preparedness to carry out search and rescue operations in various scenarios and obstacles.
The awarding and closing ceremony was graced by the Vice Commander, Philippine Air Force MGEN JOSE P TANJUAN AFP who lauded the participants and the personnel of Office of Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Training and Education, OA-8 and 505th Search and Rescue Group for the successful conduct of this year's SAR Challenge. He also added that it is high time to intensify PAF's HADR skills as a preparation to disasters being the PAF as one of the lead agencies in conducting search, rescue, and retrieval operations in the country.
The following units were announced as winners and received special awards:
Overall champion- Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command
1st Runner-up- Air Logistics Command
2nd Runner-up- 15th Strike Wing
Best in Written Examination - Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command
Best in Swimming Rescue Team - 520th Air Base Wing
Best in Rubber Boat Run - Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command
Best in Ropemanship Contest - 520th Air Base Wing
Best in Mass Casualty Incident - Air Logistics Command
Best in Life Saving Techniques - 15th Strike Wing
Best in Surface Water Search and Rescue - Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command
Best in Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue - Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command
Best in Rope Rescue - 710th Special Operations Wing
Best in Vehicle Road Accident Rescue - Air Logistics Command
