CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday led the recognition of outstanding personnel and units of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on the occasion of the service branch’s 69th anniversary.
The President was joined by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, and PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina in the presentation of plaques of recognition and streamers to those who have contributed to the accomplishment of the Air Force’s mission.
Maj. Michael Vincent Mallari was named Officer of the Year, T/Sgt. Adriano Reginales, Jr. as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and Airman First Class Jerel Abualas as Airman of the Year.
Moreover, Dr. Marilyn Lumaday and Vincent Villapando Jr. were recognized as Model Civilian Supervisor and Employee of the Year, respectively.
In his anniversary message, Fallorina congratulated not only the awardees, but everyone in the Air Force for their competency and performance in rendering their sworn duties to the country and the people.
“Each airman and airwoman, each civilian employee, no doubt contributed to the overall mission accomplishment. And I indeed feel very proud to be given the opportunity to lead them,” he said.
In the unit awards, the 2nd Air Division was awarded with the PAF Commanding General (CG) Award under the Division Category, while the Command Category was conferred to the Air Logistics Command.
The Tactical Wing Award was given to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing for its provision of safe, secure and effective air transportation to the President and members of his official family, as well as other VIPs.
The 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, meanwhile, was bestowed with the Support Wing Award; while its 357th Aviation Engineer Group got the Support Group Award.
The Tactical Group Award was given to the Tactical Operations Group 8; the Ready Reserve Wing Award to the 1st Air Force Reserve Wing; and the Model Base of the Year to the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City.
For having the best overall aircraft accident prevention program in all flight safety functional areas for anniversary year 2015-2016, the CG’s Flight Safety Award was presented to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing.
In his message, President Duterte said he salutes the Air Force, saying that for the past 23 years that he has been the Mayor of Davao, he had seen them in action and they did a lot of things together.
“I am sure that you, our security forces, will have all the things that you need. I will see to that. We will acquire more helicopters and night vision capability. If I have that then we can improve our performance,” he promised them.
Meanwhile, recipients of the PAF Flight Safety Trophy include the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 16th Attack Squadron, 17th Attack Squadron, 18th Attack Squadron, 20th Attack Squadron, 105th Fighter Training Squadron, 208th Tactical Helicopter Squadron, 210th Tactical Training Squadron, 222nd Attack Squadron, 223rd Attack Squadron, 251st Presidential Airlift Squadron, 252nd Presidential Airlift Squadron, 5051st Search and Rescue Squadron, and 902nd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.
Other awardees were the 17th Attack Squadron of the 15th Strike Wing (Squadron of the Year-Tactical Category); 4211th Supply Management Squadron of the 420th Supply Wing (Squadron of the Year-Support Category); 11th Air Force Group Reserve (PAF Group Reserve of the Year); Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (PAF Ready Reserve DAST of the Year); 252nd Presidential Airlift Squadron (PAF Flight Safety Award for Squadron Category); 1st Air Division (PAF Search and Rescue Challenge Champion); BGen. Constancia de Guzman (PAF Reservist Officer of the Year); SSg Henry Pagauitan (PAF Reservist Enlisted Personnel of the Year); Maj. Gilbert Fortin (PAF Flight Safety Award for Individual Category); C/Col. Jomar Ombas (PAF ROTC Cadet of the Year); and C/LTC Dhemmarie Rhose Lacson (PAF ROTC Cadette of the Year)./CLJD/MLJS-PIA 3 with reports from Armee J. Sumang (intern)