Islander aircraft donated to PCG

MANILA, Philippines — An Islander aircraft donated on Tuesday to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will enhance maritime domain awareness operations amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“The PCG 829 BN Islander is set to perform a critical role in enhancing maritime domain awareness, particularly amid rising tensions in disputed maritime zones,” the PCG said.

Maritime patrols, search and rescue operations, disaster response, medical evacuation and transportation of personnel and supplies will be supported by the 829 BN Islander.

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Mark Llandro Mendoza, who facilitated the acquisition of the fixed-wing aircraft, turned over the plane to PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.

Apart from the latest Islander, other air assets now at the PCG’s disposal are a Cessna Grand Caravan (PCG 2081), two other Islanders (PCG 251 and PCG 4177) and two Airbus helicopters (CGH451 and CGH1452).

Before its turnover to the PCG, the 829 BN Islander underwent maintenance, inspection and overhaul procedures courtesy of Fliteline Airways, where it was transferred from.

“These measures guarantee the aircraft’s airworthiness and operational readiness for the wide range of missions entrusted to the PCG,” it said.

The 829 BN Islander will be included in the Coast Guard Aviation Command’s operations.

A brand-new Cessna utility plane from the United States has been acquired by the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Days after its arrival at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, the C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft was welcomed yesterday during a ceremony led by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura at Villamor Air Base in Pasay.

Funded through the 2023 national budget, the aircraft was acquired from Servo Aerotrade Services Inc. and manufactured by Textron Aviation in Wichita, Kansas.

The aircraft joins three others of its kind in the PAF inventory, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.

The planes, she noted, have been used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations and humanitarian aid.

“This aircraft is part of the PAF’s continuing platform acquisition program, aimed at modernizing and expanding its fleet to meet evolving operational demands,” she said.

Castillo recalled that the PAF in 2024 accepted several key platforms under Horizon 2 of the AFP modernization program, which included two T-129 ATAK helicopters, 10 S-70i Blackhawk helicopters that form part of a larger acquisition of 32 units from Poland, one fixed air surveillance radar system and a ground-based air defense system.

The PAF also welcomed a C-130H tactical transport aircraft on Feb. 16, 2024, provided by the US government’s Excess Defense Articles Program, she noted.

“The PAF’s airlift assets, such as the C-130s, C-295s and C-208s, along with rotary assets like the newly acquired medium-lift Blackhawk helicopters, are expected to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines Unified Command’s operational requirements for the upcoming midterm elections,” Castillo said. – Michael Punongbaya