MANILA, Philippines — Newly-installed Armed Forces of the
Phillippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio disclosed to reporters that United States is
giving two Lockheed C-130
"Hercules" planes to the Philippines as donation. The Americans extended the offer after learning of
President Aquino's plans of getting new
cargo aircrafts for the military forces.
Catapang just had a talk with US colleagues and they said
they are going to give another two C-130s to Philippines addressing their humanitarian
assistance calamity relief concerns. The US military has organized a
humanitarian mission to the Visayas after the devastation of one of the world’s
strongest typhoon (Yolanda), which killed thousands of lives and destroyed billion
worth of damages.
The existing C-130 planes of the Air Force were very useful to transport the relief goods
for victimsof typhoon Yolanda and as well as the equipment needed by government
troops last year.
In late November last year, former AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel
Bautista announced that the country seeks to acquire two more C-130 planes to
improve disaster relief operations as the Philippines have only three C-130s.
Supposedly, the AFP should have at least nine C-130s.
The C-30 is capable
of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for
paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas and in terms of tactical
lift, the aircraft is very significant.
Source: philstar
Photo: af.mil
