NEWEST AIRCRAFT. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (left) talks to Philippine Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes (right) before the Air Force’s new Gulfstream G280 command-and-control (C2) aircraft took off to transport medical supplies to Davao City on Monday (Sept. 21, 2020). The C2 will be assigned to the PAF's Air Mobility Command, the unit responsible for transport missions based in Mactan, Cebu. (Photo courtesy of PAF Public Affairs Office)
MANILA – The brand-new Gulfstream G280 command-and-control aircraft (C2) will be assigned to the Philippine Air Force's Air Mobility Command, the unit responsible for transport missions based in Mactan, Cebu.
"It will join our other transport aircraft like the (Airbus) C-295, (PT Dirgantara Indonesia) NC-212i and (Lockheed) C-130," PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Aristides Galang said in Filipino Tuesday.
He said the air force now has sufficient trained pilots and personnel to man the new aircraft.
The Gulfstream G280 arrived at the Clark Air Base in Angeles, Pampanga last Sept. 20, and was formally turned over to the PAF Monday.
In its inaugural flight, it transported medical supplies and personal protective equipment sets to Davao City.
Galang earlier said the aircraft would become part of a system designed for enhanced control of operations through continuous communications, especially during emergencies.
The aircraft is capable of speeds around 500 knots and has a range of 3,600 nautical miles aside from having the capability to land on small runways and transport 12 to 15 persons including the pilots and crew.
The contract for the G280 was signed in early 2019 and was acquired through US Foreign Military Sales. (PNA)
