PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday asked members of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) to continue assessing their strengths and weaknesses to sustain efforts to improve themselves and their capabilities.
The President, during the celebration of the 56th founding anniversary of the PAW at Villamor Air Base, recognized the “Bluebirds” not just for their services, including safely ferrying him, the First Family, the Cabinet and some foreign dignitaries and ensuring their security, but also for supporting efforts to protect national security and in rendering humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
“As we celebrate your achievements, I ask all of you to reflect not just on what you have accomplished, but on what lies ahead. We must look inward, examine our strengths and weaknesses, and commit ourselves to continuous improvement,” Marcos said.
“Let us be reminded that it is not just our work that defines us, but also the depth of our commitment, the strength of our character, and the nobility of our cause,” he added.
Among the 250th PAW’s accomplishments include the completion of 4,465 sorties, with 445 flights exclusively for the President, as well as achieving 8,416 accident-free flying hours.
It also supported humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions by ferrying the President and Cabinet officials to disaster-affected communities.
During the event, PAW handed to the President the 250th PAW Operations handbook which aims to enhance its operational effectiveness, and established the Defense Acquisition System Assessment Team for the Presidential Aircraft Acquisition Project to procure an aircraft that could support the President’s international and regional trips.
Marcos recognized the works and accomplishments of the PAW, adding that he could not do his job as president “if not for the professionalism and the provision of service that the Presidential Airlift Wing provides.
“You enable me and the Cabinet members to fly around the country in support of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Missions. This, you are doing despite the danger in the air and the disaster that we might meet on land. Through your service, we have been able to assess the surroundings, to be with our people, to help our fellow men and women in the fastest and safest way possible,” he said.
He added that like in every journey of the nation, there will be times of turbulence or moments when the path seems uncertain, and the horizon is not clear, but continues to trust the PAW and its reliability to weather any storm.
The President assured the 250th PAW of his administration’s effort to prioritize the health and wellness of its personnel to enable them to continue effectively carrying out their mandate.
“Rest assured that this Administration is resolute to see that your health, well-being and wellness are taken care of so that you continue to carry out your duties efficiently,” Marcos said.
The 250th PAW, one of the premier flying units of the Philippine Air Force, is mandated to provide air transport to the President, the First Family, visiting Heads of State, and other important personalities.
In April 1972, the unit was renamed as the 7001st Presidential Airlift Squadron, and later as the 700th Special Mission Wing in December 1974. It was named as 250th PAW on July 16, 1986.
