MAJ. Gen. Stephen Parreño yesterday assumed command as the new chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and vowed to bring reforms in one of the military’s major services.
Parreño took over as Air Force chief in rites presided over by President Marcos Jr., the military’s commander-in-chief, at the PAF headquarters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Parreño succeeded Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas, who reached the retirement age of 56 yesterday. Canlas retired after leading the Air Force for more than a year.
Parreño was the Air Force vice commander before he was appointed by Marcos as the PAF’s 39th commanding general.
He will serve as PAF chief for three years, in keeping with Republic Act 11709 that took effect last July 1. The law provides a three-year term to key officials of the Armed Forces, including the AFP chief, and a four-year term to the PMA superintendent.
Parreño had previously served as the Chief of Air Force, Air Force Inspector General, deputy commander of the Air Logistics Command, deputy commander of the Air Mobility Command, and commander of the 220th Airlift Wing, among others.
He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1991 where he graduated as salutatorian. He is also a member of the PAF Flying School class of 1993 where he graduated No. 3.
Parreño earned the distinction as one of the few PAF officers to complete the Curso de Estado Mayor (General Staff Course) in Madrid, Spain.
“He was greatly involved in the air mobility efforts of the PAF during the ‘Battle of Marawi’ where he has flown as a flight commander of the C130 flights, flying to and from Guam and Arizona to the Philippines, to pick up and transport logistics for the sustainment of the ongoing joint operations,” the PAF said of Parreño.
In his acceptance speech, Parreño vowed to be a “genuine leader.”
“I will be a genuine, balanced, self-aware and transparent leader and manager. Excellence will be my personal standard. Ethical behavior and corps values will be at the anchor of my leadership philosophy,” he said.
He said he will lead by example, adding: “Our true measure of success is not how much we promised but how much we deliver for those who need us most.”
Parreño said he expects PAF personnel to be accountable and responsible for their actions.
“We should take active responsibility and don’t always assume that it is someone else’s job,” he said.
Parreño said PAF personnel should strive to achieve excellence in all things that they do and should be “efficient in work management and performance.
“Let us remember that we reform not to please others but because we value what this institution stands for. We reform because we believe in the PAF’s future,” he said.
He vowed to continue the programs set by his predecessors, including the PAF Flight Plan 2028.
Parreño said the Air Force “needs to be equally fast in adopting to evolving requirements” in responding to contemporary “security threats” and “challenges” that are “fast unravelling.”
“Consequently, as we fly to our destination, the Air Force will now boost its speed and accelerate and we will do so without compromising excellence and quality,” Parreño said.
Marcos instructed the PAF and its new leadership to sustain efforts to become a world-class air force that contributes in keeping the peace and national development in the country and in promoting national and regional security.
The President said he expects the Air Force, under Parreño, to sustain its ongoing initiatives and achieve new heights in responsive service-delivery for the country and for the people.
Marcos acknowledged the contributions of the PAF in guarding the Philippine aerial domain and in assisting in the delivery of basic services to Filipinos, among others, and expects them to continue to do the same and even achieve more under Parreño.
“I hope that, under the leadership of our newly-appointed Commanding General, the Air Force will continue to strive for honor, for excellence as you fulfill your mandate to our country and to our people. Through your collective efforts, we will attain our goal of creating a world-class air force that keeps the peace and contributes to our national development and regional security,” he said.
Similar to the promise that he made during the AFP anniversary last Monday, the President vowed to support the continued modernization of the Air Force and asked them to remain dedicated to their duties, the Filipinos and the country.
“Be assured that this administration remains committed to the modernization of the Philippine Air Force and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines. I therefore ask you to remain dedicated to your duties and continue to work closely with this administration as we build a safe, secure, peaceful country for the benefit of all Filipinos,” he added. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
