PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday directed new Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura to lead the Philippine Air Force (PAF) toward becoming an institution that is “more agile, credible, and responsive” to the demands of an ever-evolving security landscape.
During the PAF Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony in honor of Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President said the road ahead is not without its challenges but expressed confidence the PAF, under Cordura, would rise to meet those challenges.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said the ceremony, initially scheduled at the headquarters of the Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Lipa City, Batangas, was moved to Villamor Air Base “due to prolonged unfavorable weather (condition) in Lipa.”
Marcos said he expects members of the Philippine Air Force to continue to reach greater heights and continue to embody the principles of honor, duty, and excellence.
“These times call for vigilance and resolve. There is no room for complacency, for any pause in our efforts to risk compromising the safety and welfare of the Filipino people,” he added.
The President committed that his administration would continue to support the modernization of the armed forces, adding that it is a priority of his administration which aims to empower PAF as it “protects the ideals that define our nation.
“Let us move forward as one, shaping a Bagong Pilipinas where the Philippine Air Force remains a beacon of strength, a protector of the values that we hold dear, and the symbol of hope for our people,” he added.
Marcos also recognized the contributions and achievements of Parreño and the PAF under him, adding the legacy of his leadership is etched in the achievements of the Air Force.
He said these include the 2,500 flying hours undertaken for external defense; the 450 maritime patrol missions that were done to strengthen the country’s territorial integrity and protect the exclusive economic zone; the 119 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and the PAF’s role in the rescue of 320 trafficked individuals from exploitation, and confiscated illegal goods worth millions of pesos that were all undertaken under Parreño’s term.
He said it was during Parreño’s tenure that significantly marked the capability enhancement of the PAF through the acquisition of one C-295 medium-lift aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, one mobile radar, one fixed radar, and 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters which all contributed to the Philippines’ readiness to confront evolving challenges.
“These accomplishments are a testament to your vision, diligence, and unyielding commitment to the mission at hand. After 37 years of dedicated service to our nation, you pass on a legacy that embodies excellence and inspires the next generation of leaders to build upon the foundations that you have laid,” the President said.
TRANSITION PROGRAM
Cordura vowed to come up with a “near-to-ideal” air defense system as the military transitions to territorial defense operations from internal security operations.
Cordura, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1990, replaced Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreno, who retired after reaching the maximum two-year tour of duty as Air Force chief. Cordura previously served as AFP Vice Chief, Air Force vice commander, Chief of Air Staff, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, and commander of the 520th Air Base Wing.
“Under my term, I will focus on mission essential tasks and clearly define the imperatives for a successful implementation of an integrated air defense system,” Cordura said.
The catchphrase “Focus PAF” captures this thrust that will be “mission-oriented, capability-driven, and values-based,” he added.
This will be consistent with the Marcos administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” roadmap for economic and social transformation and aligned with the AFP’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
“A Focus PAF is an intervention that will follow on current thrusts to facilitate the Air Force’s eventual transition to full TD (territorial defense) operations,” said Cordura.
This also seeks to “address the CADC imperatives for force projection and air interdiction, assimilate technologies that enable us to operate effectively across all domains, particularly cyber.”
Focus PAF will “empower human resources to prepare them for present and future tasks.”
Cordura also said there is a need for a baseline dictated by the gains of the previous command thrust, revisit the gaps and review recommended corrective measures.
He said the PAF, under his watch, will be focused on fulfilling its mandate.
“PAF shall do so focusing on what is mission essential and on what promotes interoperability, jointness and excellence in combined operations,” said Cordura.
“This underscores the need to rethink how non-mission essentials should be regulated to allow uninterrupted and optimum human and material support in the development of the PAF warfighting capabilities, ensure compliance with the national military strategy, Defense Planning Guidance of 2024, the General Security of Military Information Agreement, and adherence to the PAF Flight Plan 2040,” said Cordura.
He said capability-driven organizations look at all dimensions so these will be responsive, reliable and effective.
“As a result, our capabilities should constitute the ability to synchronize air power and pursue the completion of a near-to-ideal integrated air defense system, capability to operate safely and effectively,” said Cordura. – With Victor Reyes
