PAF TO RECEIVE SURVEILLANCE PLANE FROM US

BY LEX MANALO

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is set to receive a brand-new Cessna C-20B “Grand Caravan” surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from the United States in a ceremony to be held at the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga Tuesday, September 12.

National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will be the guest of honor in the acceptance, turnover and blessing ceremonies of the C-208B, said the PAF advisory issued on Monday.

“The C-208B aircraft is a grant from the US,” the PAF said.

Air Force officials said it will be the third C-208B to be given by US to PAF. The two units were formally turned over on July 27, 2017.

The first two C-208B planes are part of a USD33-million package through the US National Defense Authorization Act Building Partnership Capacity Program which aims to provide equipment and training to boost Philippine anti-terrorism capabilities.

The C-208B aircraft, which is capable of transporting eight to nine persons including the pilot, has a cruising speed of around 170 knots and has a range of over 1,000 nautical miles.