THE Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) first Airbus Military C-295, which arrived in the country on Sunday last week, will be formally turned over to the PAF on Monday.
This will take place after a blessing ceremony at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, PAF Spokesman Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said.
“The additional C-295s will enhance the overall capability of the PAF in providing airlift requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during humanitarian assistance and disaster-response operations,” he added.
Lift requirements of the PAF is presently being carried about by the three Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” and three Fokker F-27 “Friendship” transport aircraft.
The PAF has an existing order for three C-295s from Airbus Military.
The contract is worth P5.29 billion. It was signed last year.
Training for the first batch composed of four PAF pilots and 24 maintenance crew was done in Seville, Spain and was completed on March 10.
“Succeeding training for pilots will continue this year in anticipation of the delivery of two more C-295s,” Canaya said. PNA