Veteran combat pilot retires

MANILA — After 38 years in the military, Major Gen. Restituto F. Padilla Jr. bows out on Thursday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56, leaving behind a sterling military career as combat pilot and lately as chief strategist for plans and programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Upon graduation from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Class 1985 with honors, then 22-year-old 2nd Lt. Padilla joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to become a pilot.

As an aviator, Padilla honed his skills at the Philippine Flying Schools where he graduated in 1987.

In an interview, Padilla said, “I reported to the 15th Strike Wing of the PAF, but by luck of a draw I was reassigned to the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing where I learned not only to master the intricacies of flying rotary wing aircraft, but more importantly to expertly fly it over hostile areas to defend the Republic against various threats.”

He said it was during these dangerous flying missions that he and his crewmen experienced hostile enemy fire.

Armed with rockets and M60 machine guns, they retaliated, blasting away their targets.

Padilla’s bravery in combat even during bad weather won him several awards for gallantry in the performance of duty.

Like all other PAF pilots, Padilla also flew the helicopter during humanitarian missions to bring food and medicines to victims of disasters in various parts of the country.

As a pilot, Padilla amassed 2,800 flying hours on 12 different types of aircraft of the Air Force that earned him the pilot in command, element lead, flight commander, test and instructor pilot.

In addition, Padilla was also cited for “ability to train and impart flying skills to younger pilots.”

The PAF sent Padilla for further studies at the Air University in Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama in the United States.

As a military officer, Padilla held various positions, including as AFP spokesperson, before he was promoted to brigadier general and major general as deputy chief of staff for plans and program that is in charge of planning and acquisition of weapons for the modernization of the Armed Forces.

“His superb intellect coupled with the ability to express ideas clearly and expertly as well inspire subordinates both military and civilian” that “these qualities that made him a much sought-after public speaker, delegate in local and international fora and secretariat in bilateral and multilateral security engagements,” the AFP said of Padilla.

The two-star general was also hailed for “providing decision support to formulation of higher policies that advanced Philippine national security.”