Philippine Air Force Receives Another C-130 Transport Plane

MANILA:The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has taken delivery of another Lockheed C-130H ‘Hercules’ tactical transport aircraft from the United States. Arriving at Clark Air Base on February 16, this aircraft is the second such aircraft given to the country via the United States’ Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme with the first aircraft being delivered in January 2021

The PAF currently operates a small number of older C-130 variants for the force’s heavy lift missions. According to PAF spokesperson, Col Ma. Consuelo Castillo, “the new addition will bolster the PAF’s cargo airlift fleet and support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and various military missions,” Castillo said. He added that a formal ceremony for the turnover and blessing ceremony will be conducted by end of this month or in early March.

On February 22 this year, a refurbished C-130 in service with the PAF since 2016 aircraft stalled while taxiing on the runway of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, resulting in several flight delays. shp/adj/dl (Pix:Philippine Air Force)