08 Maret 2023
Acceptance, Turn-over and Blessing Ceremony of PAF's Newly Acquired C-295 Medium Lift Aircraft
After receiving the third and last delivery of the C-295 Medium Lift Aircraft under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program this February, the Philippine Air Force held its formal Acceptance, Turn-over, and Blessing (ATOB) on March 7, 2023 with President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. as the Guest of Honor. The ATOB was held at the Haribon Hangar, CAB, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
Three (3) units of brand new C-295s Medium Lift Aircraft were acquired by the PAF from Spain's Airbus Defence and Space, in addition to its four (4) existing units acquired in 2015 and 2019. The said fleet is being operated by the 220th Airlift Wing for multiple missions such as tactical airlift, medical evacuation, paradrop/airdrop, VIP transport, as well as civic and humanitarian airlift missions.
With the Commander-in-Chief gracing yet another PAF historical milestone, Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr, OIC, Department of National Defense, formally received the documents for the turn-over of the newly delivered C-295 aircraft from his Excellency Miguel Ultray Delgado, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Philippines. Usec Galvez then turned-over the documents to the Philippine Air Force through LtGen Stephen P Parreño PAF, Commanding General, PAF.
Also present during the ATOB ceremony are Gov Dennis Pineda, Pampanga Governor; Gen Andres C Centino PA, Chief of Staff, AFP (CSAFP); MGen Fernyl G Buca PAF, Commander, Northern Luzon Command (COMNOLCOM); key Officers from the AFP; and several Airbus Defence and Space S.A. (ADS) Representatives.
Right after the ATOB ceremony, President Marcos Jr, as the Commander in Chief of the AFP, had his first flight aboard the PAF FA-50PH. The demonstration flight took about twenty minutes to complete, after which, His Excellency’s safe and successful flight was capped with an awarding of the honorary aeronautical patches by the Commanding General PAF and the 5th Fighter Wing pilots.
Gracing the ATOB activity and going through the FA50 PH demonstration flight is a testament of the Commander-in- Chief's faith and confidence in the PAF's aircraft and aircrew, and his support and commitment for a modern Philippine Air Force.
(PAF)