Philippine Air Force to recieve two refurbished C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft from US

Philippine Air Force outgoing commanding general Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado stated that one of the two refurbished C-130 aircraft amounting to PHP1.6 Billion  from the United States of America will be delivered on March 15.

For now, the Philippine Air Force technical working group is in US to inspect the C-130 before it will be delivered in March while the other one will be delivered in September.

Meanwhile, for the last time, the outgoing PAF commanding general will inspect Air Force troops and air assets during his retirement and turnover ceremony in Lipa, Batangas tomorrow.

At the same time, the two FA-50 fighter jets acquired by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its modernization program will fly during the sendoff ceremony.

Aside from the supersonic fighter jets, among the air assets acquired by the Philippine Air Force during Lt. Gen. Delgado's term are the 34 aircraft which include C-295 medium-lift aircraft, Agusta Westland (AW-109) attack helicopters, Bell 412, and UH-1D helicopters.

Outgoing PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado said, "When I started in two years ago, the operational aircraft was just forty, the number is just or inventory purpose but those which were able to fly are 14 to 20 but now we're reaching 90, more than doubled, 88-89, 87, and I think we can achieve 90 operational air assets within this year."

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense confirmed that Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina will replace Lt. General Delgado as the next Philippine Air Force commanding general.

Lt. Gen. Fallorina is presently the AFP deputy chief of staff.

Lt. Gen. Delgado belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Sandigan class of 1982.

And as a PAF pilot, Delgado almost died for two separate accidents because of worn out helicopters.

And though Lt. Gen. Delgado will now be retiring from the military service, he is looking forward that the next administrations will continue to support the AFP modernization program.