Maj. Gen. Araus Robert Musico of the Philippine Air Force (left) and Defense Undersecretary Angelito De Leon (right) assist Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu in unveiling the marker of the Close Air Support Classroom and Debriefing Facility at Col Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac. (Photo from the Department of National Defense)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government received a new Air Force facility donated by the Australian government, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Tuesday.
The Close Air Support Part Task Trainer, Classroom and Debriefing Facility will be dedicated to the capacity-building efforts of the pilots and personnel of the 710th Special Operations Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The main mission of the unit is to perform close air support to ground troops during combat operations.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu formally turned over the transfer documents to Defense Undersecretary Angelito de Leon in a ceremony at the Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac on Monday.
Assisting the unveiling of the facility’s marker was Maj. Gen. Araus Robert Musico, Commander of the Air Combat Command of the Philippine Air Force.
“With this facility, the PAF will be able to address the technical training gaps of its personnel who will be given more time and training opportunities such as the use of simulator and actual flight events,” De Leon said in his speech at the turnover.
“To reciprocate this goodwill and support, we must collectively ensure that the Philippines will be able to fulfill its roles as a responsible nation-state and a reliable regional security partner.”
The donation was made possible through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program that the Philippines signed with Australia in December 2019.