Pormal nang tinanggap ng Philippine Air Force (PAF) ang pangalawang C-130H tactical transport aircraft na nakuha ng Manila mula sa Washington, sinabi ng opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nitong Miyerkules, Mayo 29.
“With the delivery of this transport aircraft, the PAF now has five C-130s in its inventory that can be used for humanitarian, tactical, and strategic missions,” sinabi ng tagapagsalita ng AFP na si Col. Francel Margareth Padilla sa isang media briefing sa Philippine Army headquarters sa Taguig City.
Ang aircraft ay isa sa dalawang C-130H na ipinagkaloob ng gobyerno ng Estados Unidos sa ilalim ng Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program noong 2016. Ang unang C-130H ay naihatid noong Enero 29, 2021.
Ang pinakahuling C-130H (#5157) ay dumating noong Pebrero 16, ngunit ang blessing ceremony ay ginanap lamang noong Mayo 23 sa Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base sa Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
“These heavy airlifters are significant in delivering relief goods and essential supplies, transporting troops and equipment, and lending support to communities in different areas around the country and even overseas,” saad ng AFP.