Philippine Air Force

Philippine Air Force
Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas
Seal of the Philippine Air Force
FoundedJuly 1, 1947 (1947-07-01)
Country Philippines
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size
  • 17,600 active personnel[1]
  • 16,000 reserve personnel[1]
  • 224 aircraft
Part ofArmed Forces of the Philippines
HeadquartersColonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
Motto(s)"Guardians of our Precious Skies, Bearers of Hope"
Colors Air Force Blue 
MarchPhilippine Air Force Hymn[2]
Engagements
Websitewww.paf.mil.ph Edit this at Wikidata
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefPresident Bongbong Marcos
Secretary of National DefenseGilberto Teodoro Jr.
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesGen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., PA
Commanding General of the Philippine Air ForceLieutenant General Stephen P. Parreño, PAF[3]
Vice Commander, Philippine Air ForceMajor General Augustine S. Malinit
Chief of Air StaffMajor General Aristotle D. Gonzales
Sergeant Major of the Air ForceCMSgt John I. Roxas , PAF[4]
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
AttackA-29B, AS-211, OV-10A/C, SF-260TP/MP
FighterFA-50PH
HelicopterBell 412EP, UH-1H/D, W-3A, S-70A-5/i, S-76A/AUH-76
Attack helicopterT129B, AH-1S, AW109E Power, MD520MG,
ReconnaissanceAero Commander, Cessna 208, ScanEagle, Hermes 450, Hermes 900
TrainerSF-260FH, T-41B/D
TransportFokker F27, C-130, Aero Commander, Cessna 208 IPTN NC-212, F27, N-22B, C-295M

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) (Filipino: Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Initially formed as part of the Philippine Army as the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) in 1935, the PAAC eventually saw combat during World War 2 and was formally separated from the Army in 1947 as a separate service branch of the AFP under Executive Order No. 94. At present, the PAF is responsible for both defending Philippine airspace, and conducting aerial operations throughout the Philippines, such as close air support operations, combat air patrols, aerial reconnaissance missions, airlift operations, helicopter tactical operations, special operations, and aerial humanitarian operations, which includes search and rescue operations. The PAF has also carried out various missions within the country and abroad.

The PAF is headquartered at Villamor Air Base in Pasay, and is headed by the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General and also serves as the branch's highest-ranking military officer.

  1. ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 25, 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 294. ISBN 9781032012278.
  2. ^ "Filipinas Heritage Library | Philippine Air Force March". www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  3. ^ "Pilot who led air mobility efforts during Marawi siege takes command of PH Air Force". Manila Bulletin. December 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Schafer, Megan (May 23, 2019). "COMPACAF visit enhances relationship with Philippine Air Force". Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs. Retrieved January 4, 2022.

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