https://www.facebook.com/philippinenavy/posts/10158059869217956Navy marks 85th AFP anniversary with fleet review, flyby of sea, air assets
NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Manila – The Philippine Navy (PN) commemorated the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 85th anniversary in a momentous fleet review of Navy surface assets including the newly acquired frigate, and flyby of PN and Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft off the waters of Bataan on Wednesday, December 16.
Secretary of National Defense, Sec. Delfin Lorenzana witnessed the event along with AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, PN Flag Officer in Command, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, PAF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, and Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, with the Philippine Fleet Commander, Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe and other senior AFP officials aboard the reviewing ship BRP TARLAC (LD601).
The fleet review was the showcase of the PN and the AFP’s capability and jointness among major services and partner stakeholders with the participation of vessels from the Philippine Navy Affiliated Reserve Units (PNARU). It also marked a milestone in the PN development and modernization, as it goes full throttle towards becoming a modern and multi-capable naval force responsive to our maritime nation’s defense and development.
Eight PN surface assets including the reviewing ship, 11 aircraft, and eight boats from the PN, 25 PAF aircraft, and two PNARU vessels participated in this projection of the country’s developing credible defense.
PN vessels BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Davao Del Sur led the Philippine Navy contingent which included BRP Ramon Alcaraz, BRP Emilio Jacinto, BRP Batak, BRP Abraham Campo, and BRP Ang Pangulo. On the other hand, two Black Hawks led the contingent of the Philippine Air Force.
A total of 36 fixed wing and rotary aircraft from both the PN and the PAF also joined the FA-50s and the Black Hawks, including the two AW159 and three AW109 of the Naval Air Wing. On board the Navy landing craft, BRP Batak, is the Philippine Army's Simba armored personnel carrier and the Philippine Marine Corps' V-150.
In his remarks, Sec. Lorenzana recognized that “the Armed Forces of the Philippines has undertaken great milestones as far as change is concerned. As we fondly term it, AFP has transitioned into a better defense organization and redirected our focus to addressing the safety and security threats at hand. You have identified key areas of concern and developed a number of strategies at all levels of management or command. You have already started leveling up our capabilities along with the modernizing AFP and enriching the skills bank of your personnel.”
Read more:
https://navy.mil.ph/pn_web_news.php?news_id=2281#StrongandCrediblePHNavy
#AFPyoucanTRUST
(Photo by: SN2 Hans Bryan F Lim/NPAO)
