(Photo courtesy of Philippine Air Force)
MANILA – The Republic of Korea Air Force's (ROKAF) aerobatic unit "Black Eagles" will visit the country next month for a series of air shows to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea.
In an advisory Friday, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the event is scheduled from March 3 to 5 at the Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
It added that the "Black Eagles" consists of nine T-50B aircraft, the aerobatic version of the Mach 1.5 FA-50PH light jet fighters being used by the PAF.
The PAF added that a segment of the air show on March 3 will feature a "friendship flight" between the T-50B and the FA-50PH aircraft.
Meanwhile, the air shows from March 4 to 5 would be open to the public.
This is the second time the "Black Eagles" will be performing in Philippine airspace, after its first air show over Basa Air Base, in Floridablanca, Pampanga in August last year.
Aside from the air show, the event will also feature an exhibit featuring products from various South Korean defense manufacturers.
The "Black Eagles" was formed on Dec. 12, 1994, and initially flew six Cessna A-37B "Dragonfly" aircraft.
The team disbanded temporarily after the 2007 Seoul Air Show and reformed upon the arrival of their new T-50B planes in 2010.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea started on March 3, 1949.
Manila deployed a contingent of nearly 1,500 troops, known as the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK), to help Seoul during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. (PNA)
