Newly donated chopper boosts PA’s disaster response capabilities
MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) on Friday said the newly donated Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo-105 helicopter to its Army Aviation Regiment will greatly enhance its capabilities to respond to disaster relief missions.
"The donation of the cutting-edge Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105 will be an additional mission-essential equipment for the Army Aviation that will support the Army units and other government agencies during disasters and calamities in the country," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.
Meanwhile, PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the donated helicopter will catalyze the Army’s future rotary aviation and a springboard to improve the capacity of the Army Aviation Regiment.
He also added that the PA will continue to push for additional air assets to develop the Army Aviation Regiment’s capability of supporting combined operations through the acquisition of armed reconnaissance helicopters, medium-lift multipurpose helicopters, and special mission aircraft as well as the expansion of its base support facilities.
“I vow to develop and enhance the capability of Army Aviation,” Brawner stressed.
The aircraft was donated by Dornier Technology, Inc. to the Army Aviation Regiment during short ceremonies at Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija last Oct. 26.
Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino, Jr., who was the guest-of-honor and speaker, emphasized the importance of the aircraft on equipment readiness and operations.
(PNA)