PAF vows to ‘shine brighter’ on 76th year

CLARK AIR BASE — The. Philippine Air Force (PAF) pledged to shine even brighter and perform even better in protecting the Philippine skies.

PAF Commanding General Lieutenant General Stephen Parreño underscored that the service branch will continue to maintain its luster of excellence by performing its mission with diligence, efficiency and top-level quality.

“This year’s theme speaks of how we shape a better air force for the years to come: PAF@76: Accelerating with Excellence Towards a More Capable, Credible, and Sustainable Force. Today, we proclaim our commitment to work towards improving our capability, credibility, and sustainability with emphasis on timeliness and quality of work,” he said during the celebration held at Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

PAF’s capability has grown through strategic and sustained investments in technology, infrastructure, and human resource development.

“Today, we have a more robust fleet, modern platforms, functional air bases and well-trained personnel,” he cited.

PAF’s credibility has flourished through strengthened collaboration with local and international partners.

Likewise, its sustainability is realized and institutionalized through proactive supply management, asset maintenance, safety prioritization, and technological innovation.

With this, Parreño extended his gratitude to all members of PAF, partners, stakeholders, leaders, and the whole community for their support in securing the people and creating a better future as the wings of the nation.

“In unity lies our strength; each milestone we reach towards safeguarding our nation is a shared victory,” he pressed.

He also vowed that PAF will remain focused more than ever to weather the challenges and the pressing tasks of modern times.

Meanwhile, Parreño lauded this year’s unit awardees for choosing the life of service and sacrifice to secure the nation and its skies.

“May your trophies serve to inspire you to continue the good work for our organization and may this challenge others to emulate the same level of excellence,” he emphasized.

CG PAF Streamer Awardees include Air Mobility Command for Command Combat/Combat Support Category; Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command for Command Service Support Category; 5^th Fighter Wing for Wing Combat Category (Flying); Tactical Operations Wing Central for Wing Combat Tow Category (Non-flying); 205^th Tactical Helicopter Wing for Wing Combat Support Category (Flying); and 580^th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing as Wing Combat Support Category (Non-flying).

Also awarded were the 410^th Maintenance Wing for Wing Service Support Category (Non-flying); Tactical Operations Group 7 for Group Combat Category (Non-flying); 505^thSearch and Rescue Group for Group Combat Support Category (Flying); and 960^th Air and Missile Defense Group for Combat Support Category (Non-flying).

Other recipients were PAF Flying School for Group Service Support Category (Flying); 356^th Aviation Engineer Group for Group Service Support Category (Non-flying); PAF Human Resource Management Center for Group Service Support Centers Category (Non-flying); 430^th Aircraft Maintenance Group for Group Service Support Maintenance Category (Non-flying); and 530^th Air Base Group for Group Service Support Air Base Category (Non-flying).

PAF also recognized the 18^th Attack Squadron for Squadron Combat Category (Flying); Tactical Operations Squadron Jolo for Squadron Combat Category (Non-flying); 207^thTactical Helicopter Squadron for Squadron Combat Support Category (Flying); 5057^th Para-Rescue and Recovery Squadron for Squadron Combat Support Category (Non-flying); 210^th Tactical Training Squadron for Squadron Service Support Category (Flying); and 542^nd Aerodrome Operations Squadron for Squadron Service Support Category (Non-flying).

Moreover, individual awardees include Gino Antonio Benavides of the 900^th Air Force Weather Group as Field Grade Officer of the Year; Jesabelle Sarmiento of the 900^th Air Force Weather Group as Company Grade Officer of the Year; Luther Melo of the 505^th Search and Rescue Group as Non-commissioned Officer of the Year; Charles Dela Cruz of the 950^th Cyberspace and Electronic Warfare as Airman of the Year; Joas Karl Crus of the 950^th Cyberspace and Electronic Warfare Wing as Model Supervisor of the Year; and Ruel Lizaso of the Air Force Research and Development Center as Model Employee of the Year. (PR)