PAF gets another US-donated C-130 cargo plane

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received its second C-130 cargo plane acquired from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles Program.

Bearing tail No. 5157, the aircraft was ferried by US aircrew from Waco, Texas to Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga last Friday.?

PAF public affairs office chief Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the C-130H tactical transport aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute upon landing.

The plane is the second of two C-130 aircraft granted by the US government through the program, she announced yesterday.

“The first unit was delivered on Jan. 29, 2021 and formally turned over to the PAF in February 2021,” Castillo said.

According to her, the new cargo plane will bolster the PAF’s cargo airlift fleet and support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations and various military missions.

Castillo said a formal acceptance, turnover and blessing ceremony for the aircraft is expected to happen by the end of the month or in March.