Sobejana eyes more ‘firepower’ for PH Air Force

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana announced that more air assets will be acquired to boost the defensive capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

“We will pursue the acquisition of more modern assets such as the multi-role fighters to beef up our air defense capability. These shall boost the morale and welfare of our troops because after all, our personnel are our greatest and most valuable asset,” Sobejana said in a statement Tuesday.

On Monday, Sobejana made an official visit to the PAF’s 5th Fighter Wing headquarters at Basa Air Base, Pampanga where he also joined in the FA-50PH tactical capability demonstration flight.

“The experience that I have for the past 45 minutes up in the air on our Philippine Air Force’ FA-50PH made me feel the significance of our air assets in our campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters, and other terrorists groups that we are fighting against,” he added.

The PAF’s FA-50PH aircraft stationed in Basa Air Base is among air assets being utilized by the AFP in its joint air and ground operations against local terrorists and communist terrorist groups.

After the demonstration flight, Sobejana was awarded the Mach 1+ Patch by 5th Fighter Wing commander Brig. Gen. Fabian Pedregosa; the Mach Buster Certificate by Air Defense Command head Maj. Gen. Connor Canlas; and the FA-50PH Patch by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes.

Sobejana has been visiting different units of the AFP, including major service commands, to keep abreast of the status of its personnel and ensure that their morale and welfare are being well taken care of.

“In our pursuit of both operational success and organizational development, we are one with every soldier, airman, sailor, and marines. No one is left behind,” he added.