The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), along with the United States Air Force (USAF), Singaporean Air Force, Indonesian Air Force (IAF), and Royal Brunei Air Force will participate in this year’s Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Clark Airfield in Pampanga on February 9-12.
The AFP extended its invitation to ASEAN air forces that agreed to join in the festival by featuring several of their military assets, including a C-17 from USAF, a CN-235 from IAF, and a 15-man skydiving team from Brunei
The 17th International Hot Air Balloon Festival is hosted yearly by the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Foundation and features various air exhibitions from organizations in the aviation industry and some enthusiasts.
AFP’s activities will showcase its various military capabilities. The Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force will join in sky jumps, air exhibitions and in holding kinetic and static displays of military equipment and hardware aimed to promote their roles in security, search and rescue, and disaster response.
The four-day event will also feature various stunts from participating military units. A High Speed Opener using PAF’s S-211, followed by a Flag Jump, will highlight the first day of the event. A series of skydiving exhibitions from the Major Services are also lined up in the stretch of the festival that closes with a Search and Rescue Demonstration.
Military units will also be deployed to augment security forces during the fiesta. Task Forces have been activated to secure different areas of the celebration. The AFP will also deploy units to safeguard entry and exit areas and will also provide K9 dogs, as well as overt and covert operatives in the venue.
The AFP will also make available the Hangars of the 600th Air Wing as venue and provide ramps to and from this venue. Ambulance units with medical teams and a helicopter are also on standby in case of accidents.
"This annual event plays a great role in promoting the Philippine aviation industry and its rich history. I am confident that our participating personnel will do their best both in providing entertainment and security during the festival,” said AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa.
“This event also provides the AFP with a venue to showcase its skills and capabilities to the people they have sworn to protect and serve,” Dellosa added.
The festival started in 1994 and since then is considered as the biggest aviation event in the country. Last year, it featured the centennial anniversary of Philippine Aviation that started with the Red Devil biplane flown in February 1911. (PNA/PIA9-ZBST)
No comments:
Post a Comment