An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | May 6, 2015

Philippine Air Force Marks Milestone, Integrates with U.S. Air Force AWACS Crew

By Staff Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman, 18th Wing Public Affairs

 For the first time in Philippine Air Force history, PAF air battle managers controlled aircraft while airborne by integrating with the U.S. Air Force's 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron as part of Exercise Balikatan 2015.

Five PAF air battle managers have flown in the AWACS each day since the exercise began April 20.

It's the first time in roughly a decade the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and its crew from the 961st AACS stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, have participated in the exercise, making the aircraft an unusual sight and the missions unforgettable for each of the PAF members.

"It was a really nice and memorable experience for me because it was my first time being a part of Balikatan and flying on an AWACS," said PAF Maj. Frederick Facia, 581st Aircraft Control and Training Squadron commander. "I had the chance to get familiar with the AWACS and control Philippine aircraft from the sky. I learned a lot from that experience - especially about the AWACS' equipment and crew's functions."

According to PAF Maj. Generoso Bautista Jr., 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Group director of operations, modernization of PAF aircraft is becoming a more prominent objective to better defend the Philippines in the future. 

Bautista, who noted the PAF's potential to purchase similar equipment to the AWACS, said getting first-hand experience behind the consoles provides key insights to procedure and response.

"The purpose of this training was for us to familiarize with a system we hope to acquire in the future since we are modernizing, and the bulk of our modernization will be on air defense," Bautista said. "We hope to learn how the system works and how we can apply it to our future equipment. What we obtained here was the first-hand experience on how the system really works."

Though Bautista said he studied weapons control at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, he said performing the art in flight aboard the AWACS was very instructional.

"I feel like I learned a lot," he said. "In our point of view, it's new equipment. We learned a lot about the system and how the U.S. Armed Forces applies their air tactics."

"This is a good basis for acquiring the equipment that operates the same as the AWACS," Facia said. "It's nice to have the experience of going onboard and seeing how the AWACS crew performs their duties during the mission. Hopefully we can apply what we learned here to training our personnel."

So far the U.S. has effectively integrated 20 different PAF weapons controllers onboard the aircraft. Being able to work alongside each other gives both forces a better understanding of how to work together in the future.

"Balikatan is an important exercise to conduct for both sides," Facia said. "It's a good opportunity to work together and test the integration of the equipment as well as the U.S. and Filipino personnel. It's a good chance to strengthen the friendship between the Philippines and the United States."

"In the future, I hope this training will be repeated," Bautista said. "It's much better for us to continue this kind of training, especially with some air defense."

 

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,233
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

AUKUS Trilateral Statement
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense,...

U.S., India launch Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024
Courtesy Photo
March 21, 2024 - Indian and U.S. combined armed forces began Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 with the arrival of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), March 18 and an opening ceremony March 19.This is the third time U.S. and...

USACE: Ensuring Safety Every Step of the Way
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, JED possesses the experience in Japanese standards and specifications, regulations, construction practices, maintenance requirements, and culture needed to ensure facilities are built with the utmost safety and professionalism. Photo by Charles Maib.
March 21, 2024 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work...

THAAD Battery in Guam Successfully Completes Table VIII Evaluation
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launcher used by E-3 Air Defense Artillery THAAD Battery as part of their Table VIII certification in Dededo, Guam, March 13, 2024. The THAAD battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam against ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Trevor Wild)
March 21, 2024 - In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon's E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15,...