PAF Reinducted Its C-130T Hercules after Major Maintenance in U.S and Portugal

03 April 2023

PAF C-130T Hercules noreg 5040 (photo : MaxDefense)

President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., the Commander-in-Chief, AFP, led the inspection of the two (2) C-130Ts of the Philippine Air Force at Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on March 31, 2023.

President Marcos was joined by Hon. Martin Romualdez, Speaker of the House; Her Excellency MaryKay Carlson, United States Ambassador to the Philippines; Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge, Department of National Defense (DND); Gen Andres C. Centino PA, Chief-of-Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); and LtGen Stephen P. Parreño PAF, Commanding General, PAF.

Inspection on C-130T with tail number 5011 and 5040 (photos : PAF)

The President inspected the C-130T aircraft, with tail number 5011, installed with the Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) System. The SABIR System is a bolt-on/bolt-off avionics module that enables the aircraft to have advanced command and control, communications, computer, and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities without sacrificing the aircraft’s primary function as a cargo plane.

Afterwhich, the President was given an overview on the status of the C-130T with tail number 5040, that recently underwent a series of inspections and structural maintenance procedures in Portugal.

Moreover, a live feed of the capability demonstration of PAF’s Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) over Lipa City, Batangas was showcased. The Hermes 900 is an unmanned aerial asset that is equipped with a variety of high performance sensors, allowing it to detect ground or maritime targets, over a wide spectral range.

President Marcos conveyed his message to the PAF and the AFP to continue in developing capabilities to sustain operations and maintain assets through proper implementation of maintenance programs. Expressing his profound gratitude and support to the PAF, President Marcos said, “I’m confident...as long as you let your passion to serve and love (for) our people will be the hallmarks of your service, then you will be an important part as we accelerate with excellence as the country's guardians of our precious skies and our bearers of hope.”

Also present in the said event are officials from the US Embassy, officials from Pampanga Province, key officers from the AFP, and distinguished guests.

(PAF)