The Philippine Territory

Amid Philippines-United States (US) negotiations on a framework agreement that would allow US military presence in the country, air defense experts from the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) recently came to Manila and shared their expertise with the Philippine Air Force.

An article from the Pacific Air Force (PACAF) 15th Air Wing public affairs said air defense experts from HIANG traveled to Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to conduct an Air Defense, Command and Control Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) with PAF Aug. 19-23.


“The exchange was in support of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, as Guam and Hawaii are co-partnered with the Philippines,” the article said.
During the SMEE, air defense experts from the 109th Air Operation Group and the 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron provided briefings and shared expertise with their PAF counterparts on a wide spectrum of topics including surveillance, weapons, tactics, identification, command/control and the role of Air Operations Center.
PAF representatives, in turn, briefed the US team on the current air defense system in the country and a proposed phased plan of modernization. President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his speech during the PAF anniversary in July, vowed to modernize the country’s air defense system before he steps down in 2016.

A modernized air defense system will allow the Philippines to gain a greater awareness of what’s going on in the region and the ability to better defend their own sovereign interests.

Among the PAF participants to the event were airmen from Headquarters Air Defense Wing, Philippines Air Defense Control Center, Direct Air Support Force, 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Group, 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 950th Communications, Electronics, Information System Group.
Maj. Clifford Afong, director of operations for the 150th Air Operation Squadron and lead for the Hawaii air defense team, said airmen from both nations “shared their ideas and personal experiences resulting in enhanced insight, respect, and appreciation for the contributions of both countries in the attainment of common goals.”

Source: Manila Bulletin