Air Force getting 6 new Hueys from US

The Philippine Star 08/07/2006

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expecting a batch of six refurbished UH1H "Huey" helicopters from the US, as part of its capability upgrade program (CUP) to provide more aircraft for its pilots.

On top of the six Hueys, 20 more helicopters are expected to be delivered within the year, PAF spokesman Maj. Augusto de la Peña said.

De la Peña said the helicopters were refurbished using the P5-billion per year funds for the CUP. The program would be completed over the next six years and would be allotted P30 billion.

"These (helicopters) are from the US and were acquired under their excess defense articles program. But we are shouldering the expenses for the refurbishment," he said.

Hueys are the PAF’s workhorses, lifting personnel and equipment in combat operations, and are also capable of providing air support for troops on the ground.

Aside from their combat use, the Hueys have become useful in recent calamities that struck the country, airlifting casualties and delivering relief goods to affected areas.

The Air Force has set aside two Hueys for its search and rescue unit.

De la Peña said the PAF is now capable of maintaining the Huey, just like what they did to the Huey 2, one of the rescue helicopters that are currently in use.

Aside from the Hueys, the Air Force is also acquiring night attack helicopters, heavily armed and equipped with the latest infrared sensors capable of seeing the enemy in the dark.

"As of now we are still inviting manufacturers for this, but we have already started acquiring six MG 530 attack helicopters for the first batch of the Capability Upgrade Program," De la Peña said.

De la Peña also allayed fears of a pilot shortage in the PAF, saying they have 1,000 pilots, alternating in flying 120 aircraft.

"There is no pilot shortage because we are continuously training new pilots for the air force," he said.

What the PAF is experiencing is not a shortage of pilots but the aircraft to fly, according to