Japan-donated plane conducts maritime patrol over Bajo De Masinloc

FILE: Wednesday’s air patrol was the first ever for TC-90 in Philippine service. Its employment boosted the capability of the Navy to conduct limited airlift, reconnaissance and surveillance within NOLCOM’s area-of-jurisdiction. (Photo: ASIA MARITIME TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE)

MANILA — A Japanese-donated Beechcraft King Air TC-90, under the operational control of the Northern Luzon Command, conducted its first maritime patrol air patrol mission over the Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), Zambales and other areas under NOLCOM supervision Wednesday.

“Given the task, the (T)C-90 plane, with a tail number of 390, made its maiden flight at 9:45 a.m. of January 31, 2018, in the area of Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), Masinloc, Zambales. It has flown around the shoal for about 800 feet above sea level sighting four Filipino fishing boats, together with nine Chinese vessels comprising of four Chinese Coast Guard vessels, four unknown Chinese vessels and a Chinese fishing vessel. Moreover, the Filipino pilots heard no challenge from the Chinese Cost Guard,” NOLCOM spokesperson Lt. Col. Isagani Nato said.

Wednesday’s air patrol was the first ever for TC-90 in Philippine service. Its employment boosted the capability of the Navy to conduct limited airlift, reconnaissance and surveillance within NOLCOM’s area-of-jurisdiction.

It will also complement the efforts of the Philippine Air Force to monitor and watch over the three maritime areas in Northern and Central Luzon.

Nato said NOLCOM would utilize all available assets and resources to protect our national territory, including its northern maritime areas, and assert our sovereign rights over the country’s maritime domain.

“NOLCOM will continue to do its mandate that will be non-provocative strictly adhering to the International Law and in line with the directives and policies of the national government,” he added.

The said plane, one of the two Japanese aircraft donated to the Philippines last March last year, was activated during short ceremonies at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City last November 21.

Its activation boosted the operations and maritime air surveillance capabilities of the Naval Air Group.

The TC-90s have a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, and a cruising speed of 260 knots and capable of carrying eight passengers along with the pilots.

As of this time, the Navy is operating around six Norman Britten “Islander” patrol aircraft, four GAF “Nomad” planes, five AgustaWestland combat utility helicopters and one Robinson R-22 training helicopter.

The TC-90, which was part of the Beechcraft King Air aircraft family, was offered by Japan shortly after the Agreement Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology was finalized last Feb. 29, 2016.

Two of the TC-90s were delivered to Sangley Point, Cavite last March 27 with the remaining three to be delivered in the first quarter of 2018. (PNA)