Dirty Dancing. Four camouflaged painted F-5A's of the Philippine Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Blue Diamonds performs the "DIRTY PASS" fly over. This is one of their aerial stunts that they display in every air show they perform by flying slow and low and with their landing gears down.
Top Gun. During a ceremony at Benito Ebuen Air Base, Philippine Air Force Chief, LTGeneral Jose Reyes awards the AFP Gold Cross Medal to Airwoman Second Class Emily LLorin of the 206th Tactical Helicopter Squadron, 205th Helicopter Wing. The Filipina heroine was cited for her actions as a door gunner on a UH-1H "Huey" that provided tactical air support with a joint task force in Tumapoy Island in Tawi-Tawi against the Abu Sayaff Group.
Angel Flight. The Philippine Air Force UH-1H Huey helicopter not only insert and extract troops in support and combat missions but also serves the Filipino people in times of crisis. Here a Huey airlift relief goods to a flooded Philippine town somewhere in Southern Luzon.
Flight Lesson. PAF Captain Joseph Andres listens to USNavy Lt. Chris Esterling as he is brief about the flight panel of a P-3 Orion Maritime Aircraft during the a Joint Philippine - US military exercise taking part in Clark Air Base.
The Defense Rest. The heavily armed MG-520 Helicopter gunships of the Philippine Air Force's 15th Strike Wing are seen tied down in the tarmac of Danilo Atienza Air Base in Sangley Point, Cavite. These helicopters and their crew are part of the PAF contingent that just came home for rest and recreation from their combat tour in Southern Philippines supporting ground combat operations in the area.
Top Grad. Graduating on the top of his class, Air Force Officer Candidate Manuel Pablo Lascano receives the CG,PAF Saber award from PAF Chief LTG Nestor Santillan during the commencement exercises of the PAF Aviation Officer's Candidate School Class 2003 held at the PAF Air Education and Training Command (AETC) in Fernando Air Base, Lipa City.
Fighter bound. Before transitioning to the jet fighters of the Philippine Air Force, prospective pilots check out with their flight instructors for one final check ride. One such flight shows this T-33 T-Bird from the 103rd Combat Crew Training "Blackjack" Squadron as flies over the Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Zambales Province.
DODO birds. The Philippine Air Force Flying School first year aviation cadets stands in snappy formation for inspection by their upperclassmen. For the first 5 (five) months of their flight cadetship they are labelled as DODO's, equivalent to that of a PMA plebe. When officially "accepted" into the Corps of Aviation Cadets, Philippine Air Force, their status changes and the DODO bird becomes extinct again.
Five of fives. That's "five minutes alert on the F-5's". A level of alertness common to the 5th Fighter Wing. At the sound of the Klaxon, one of two F-5 "Freedom Fighter" jets scrambles for take off from Bautista Air Base in Palawan during an exercise to intercept unidentified aircraft and protect Philippine airspace against foreign aerial incusions.
Air Force A'yers. The future pilots and leaders of the Philippine Air Force starts out as a plebe when coming from the Philippine Military Academy. Here, a freshman cadet possibly the next Commanding General of the PAF snaps in posture as he respond to his upperclassman (or woman) as he is officially "recognize" as a PMA'yer cadet of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines.
MIGs'over Manila. A Russian Air Force MiG-29 air superiority fighter jet makes a courtesy call as it visit Villamor Air Base in Manila. Seen here being check out by Air Force personnel the fulcrum might have been one of the dream aircraft of the PAF to augment its fighter fleet.
Bucking Bronco. Impressively wearing the patch of the 15th Strike Wing in his flight suit, an unidentified OV-10 Bronco pilot checks out his instruments in his "front office" prior for take off as he prepare to take part in support of ground combat operations somewhere in Lanao Del Norte. His unit is assigned to Edward Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City.
Cobra's Lair. The roost of fighters. The flight line of F-5A Freedom Fighter jets belonging to the 6TFS, 5FW with their "Blue Daimonds" signature are seen here in the apron of "Air Force City," the Philippine Air Force detachment located at the Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga province.
Pre-Test. An unidentified Philippine Air Force pilot check out his Huey helicopter as he and his unit prepares to ship out for combat duty in Southern Philippines. His unit is presently stationed in Atienza Air Base, Sangley Point, Cavite Province.
Semper Paratus. "Always Ready" to fly for rescure and mercy missions, this UH-1H Huey helicopter belonging to the 505th Search and Rescue Squadron rest in the tarmac of Villamor Air Base in Manila. Already pre-flight by her ground crew, the aircraft is ready for take off in a moments notice.
Triple A's. The top women graduates of the PMA class 2005. Three of which (fr. L-R) Cadets Marjorie Mukay (10th place), Carol Ena Sabijon (fifth place) and Geraldine Albano Hallar (fourth place) are joining the Philippine Air Force. Cadette Deoodolyn Aguilar (sixth place and third from left) is joining the Philippine Army after graduation.
King Cobra. An unidentified Filipino fighter pilot flight leader or the - "King Cobra" - of the day's air sortie sits in the cockpit of his F-5A Freedom Fighter jet belonging to the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Cobras" of the 5th Fighter Wing. He and his wingman prepares to take-off from Basa Air Base for a routine patrol.
All Terrain Vehicle. An armed MG-529 "Defender" of the Philippine Air Force's 15th Strike Wing lands somewhere in a Southern Philippine town. Together with members of the Philippine Army they have just secured the area which was infiltrated by muslim seccessionist rebels.
Ground Crew. Part of the Clark based 600th Air Wing is the elite PAF task force, the 710 Special Operations Wing. This is the air force's ground commando unit tasked in special warfare operations, close combat quarters and special security missions. They are shown here parading during a routing ceremony.
Battle Station. An unidentified Philippine Air Force crew chief / door gunner manning his gun station with his M60 machine gun ready to render fire power when the need arises. His helicopter is flying somewhere in Northen Luzon operating against communist rebels.
Helpppp's Coming. A pair of Philippine Air Force UH-1H Helicopter part of the 205th Helicopter Wing race to a flood stricken Southern Luzon province loaded with food and clothing supplies.
Dodo's Nest. One of the aircarft hangar located at the Philippine Air Force Flying School campus in Fernando Air Base. This is one of the "nest" where the "Dodos" (first year) avaition cadet start to spread their wings.
First Captain. Not Reginental Commander but Captain Ma. Consuelo Nunag who belong to the first class in the Philippine Military Academy to graduate women cadets. After graduation she joined the Philippine Air Force and became the first female pilot to join the 205th wing and eventually the first woman to fly the UH-1H "Huey" helicopter. She served with the 207th Tactical Helicopter Squadron flying over the skies of Luzon in support of combat and civic operations. Later on she became the pilot-in-command of an all-female crew formed in Mindanao. Then she joined the Air Force’s most macho unit, the 15th Strike Wing to become one of the seven combat ready female pilot of the unit. She also became one of the first female PMA'yer to join the Academy's Corp of Professors.
Open House. Philippine Air Force Flying School instructors and aviation cadets welcomes people to visit their campus in Fernando Air Base. Here a group of visitors in "Fly in" style comes for a tour to the Air Force's summer capital.
Dynamic Duo. That's Captain Esteban, aircraft commander (L) and his co-pilot, 1lt Pablo (R) showing off their UH-1H Huey helicopter to a young visitor, maybe a future PAF pilot during an air show in Clark Air Base.
Showing Off. With their newly painted AS-211, members of the Philippine Air Force Red Aces aerobatic team are seen here - pilots and crew chiefs - participating during the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta held at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga province.
Baptism Water. On 26 April 1920 then PAAC flight cadet Leoncio Malinao became the first locally trained military pilot in Philippine Military aviation history. Today in his honor, the Philippine Air Force Flying School dedicated this, the Leoncio Dunking Pool located at the Fernando Air Base campus where all avaition cadets are traditionally dunked after their first solo flight.
Airshow unlimited. When the PAF allows visitors for view their aircraft, they do allow visistors - all the way. Here beautiful twin Filipina girls climbed all the way to the zero-zero ejection seat of a AS-211 jet figther/trainer during an air show held at the Omni Aviation field located in the premises of Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga Province.
School Buzz. Alumni of the Philippine Air Force Flying School (PAFFS) now on training with the 103rd Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) stationed in Basa Air Base "buzzed" their alma mater with their Italian-made S-211 jet trainers. The pilots, checking out on the aircraft are preparing to transition to the F-5A "Freedom Fighter" jets. Indeed their school prepared them for their "future in the skies." The aircraft on the ground are T-41 Mescarelos (Cessna 172) ab initio trainers being prepared for a training flight.
Pre-flight. The F-5A fighter jet is known for it's easy maintenance and turn around time. In the hands of experienced ground crewmen, it only takes at least twenty minutes to inspect the aircraft, fire up then ready for take off. Here a pilot, a plane captain and another crew chief completes their pre-flight and have the jet armed with wingtip mounted AIM-9 sidewinder air to air missiles ready for take off at a moment's notice .
