PAF Presents 2 FA-50 Fighter Jets at Mactan Air Base

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday presented two of the first six brand new FA-50PH fighter jets at the Benito Ebuen Mactan Air Base (BEMAB) in Lapu-Lapu City.

The PAF is set to receive within the year four more FA-50 fighter jets under its PHP18 billion modernization program.

The fighter jets were manufactured by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) Ltd.

Maneuvered by Filipino pilots, the fighter jets flew in at 10:40 a.m. and conducted over-flight and familiarization flight missions in the Visayas, particularly in Mactan, Cebu, Roxas, Kalibo, Iloilo, Bacolod and San Carlos City.

Brigadier General Jose Mirandilla, commander of the 2nd Air Division based at the BEMAB, said in a press conference that the fighter jets will continue to perform over-flights in the next few days.

Mirandilla said the over-flights will show the general public that these new air assets are vital in strengthening the country’s territorial borders and that the PAF has already “re-entered the supersonic era.”

The over-flight missions will also serve as a great venue to train the pilots and allow them to be acquainted with the various aspects of flight missions such as the country’s different terrains, weather and possible areas of interest.

He said the two aircraft will be stationed at the BEMAB. (PNA)LAP/BS/EB