Part of the biggest AFP anniversary grand flyby last Monday, December 21, 2015 at the Clark Airbase, Pampanga. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)
PAMPANGA, Philippines — For the first time, the anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was not carried out in Metro Manila.
It was held at Clark Airbase to avoid traffic congestion, and to give way to the event’s highlight which was a flyby featuring the latest 40 aircrafts of the Philippine Air Force.
As usual, President Benigno Aquino III was the guest of honor at the 80th AFP Foundation Anniversary.
Though it was his last as president of the country, he will still support the AFP Modernization Program.
Pres. Aquino says, “Idadagdag ko lang na hindi pa tayo tapos sa pagpapalawak sa ating hukbo, balak pa nating mapasakamay ang mga bagong frigates at sealift vessels at mga long range patrol closed air support at iba pang engineering equipment.”
(I would like to add that we are not yet done with our modernization efforts. We still look forward to the acquisition of new frigates and sealift vessels and long range patrol closed air support and other engineering equipment.)
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri thanked President Aquino for his prioritization of the AFP Modernization Program during his term.
“Mahal na pangulo, ang buong Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyo pong suporta upang matupad ang aming minimithing modernization program.”
(To our dear president, the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines thank you for your support in implementing the modernization program.)
Some of the air assets presented were two FA-50 Golden Eagle Jet fighter planes delivered by the Korea Aerospace Industries last month.
Twenty-four more air assets consisting of S11 trainer jets, C-295 medium lift aircraft, C-130, SF-260, Bell 412EP utility helicopters, UH-1D, UH-1H, Sokol helicopters and AW109P helicopters were also included in the parade.
Seventy-seven M113A2 armored personnel carriers donated by the United States of America through its excess defense article program were also shown to the public.
Other mobility assets like V150, Simba, V300 armored vehicles, M35 trucks, water filtration with truck, boom truck, M35 with fiber glass boat, rubber boat and others were also showcased.
During the whole exhibition, 194 mobility assets were presented in the biggest Philippine military parade in recent history.
Compared with previous AFP days, this year’s parade is bigger with the addition of the military assets.
The goal is to show the public that the fund used for AFP Modernization Program was rightfully spent. (NEL MARIBOJOC / UNTV News)
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