THE 11 grounded FA-50 fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be back in the air in case of a “national concern or emergency,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said yesterday.
“They are just on administrative grounding,” PAF spokesperson Castillo said in a radio interview but did not elaborate on the emergency.
Castillo also said the PAF wants investigations into last week’s FA-50 jet crash “expedited so the sidelined jets can be deployed again for its missions.
The FA-50s serve as the primary aircraft of the PAF in territorial defense operations. They are also used in the campaign against internal security threats, including the New People’s Army and terrorist groups.
One of the 12 FA-50s in the Air Force’s inventory crashed on Tuesday last week in Bukidnon. It was among several jets were on a mission to support ground troops fighting with communist rebels. The crash killed two pilots. Following the crash, the remaining 11 jets were grounded.
“If we need our (FA-50) aircraft to address any national concern or national emergency, we’re going to deploy them in the air,” Castillo said.
Castillo said the PAF wants the investigation “expedited so that we can assure that our aircraft are available anytime.”
The defense department acquired 12 FA-50s from the Korea Aerospace Industries for P18.9 billion under the AFP modernization program. The jets were delivered in batches from 2015 to 2017.
“We assure you that we are going to conduct a very thorough and comprehensive investigation regarding this matter. We want to ensure that the future flight (of these aircraft) will be safe,” added Castillo.
With the absence of the FA-50s, the Air Force has tapped other fixed-wing and rotary aircraft to perform territorial defense and internal security missions left by the fighter jets.
“In terms of maritime patrol … we have other aircraft, both manned and unmanned, that can be utilized for continuous monitoring of our areas,” said Castillo.
Asked when they are targeting to conclude the investigation, Castillo said: “The fastest we can … but at the same time, ensuring that it’s going to be a very thorough investigation. That is the objective of the Air Force.”
Officials said investigators are looking into materiel, human and environment factors that could have led to the crash.
As to initial results of the investigation, Castillo said there is nothing conclusive yet, noting that “we really need to see the big picture.”
The remains of the pilots, Maj. Jude Salang-Oy and 1Lt. April John Dadulla, were flown to the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr and PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura led the tribute for the pilots.
Salang-oy and Dadulla were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Aviation Cross, which the PAF said is the “highest honor for valor and exceptional contributions to military aviation.”
“Their heroism in the face of danger reflects the very best of the Air Force’s values,” Castillo said in a statement on Saturday night.
“Their heroism serves as an inspiration to all members of the Philippine Air Force and to the Filipino people. As Guardians of the Skies, we will continue to honor their legacy by upholding the values of service, duty, and sacrifice that they so valiantly embodied,” said Castillo.
