Retiring PAF chief makes final report

Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Willie Florendo retires tomorrow after 35 years of military service, confident that he had laid down the foundation for a modern Air Force manned by professionals who are ready to serve and protect the Filipino people.

He will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Defensor Jr. during turnover ceremonies to be presided by President Estrada at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Since assuming command almost 22 months ago, Florendo regularly sent Air Force officers for local and foreign schooling to enhance their skills and capabilities in different endeavors and prepare them as well for bigger, more challenging tasks.

Florendo reached across ranks to disseminate the Air Force’s thrusts toward upgrading airmen’s skills, capabilities and quality of management as mandated in the Air Force modernization program.

In pursuing these thrusts, Florendo focused on revitalizing and upgrading old assets, soldier empowerment, adoption of total quality management, safety consciousness, and self-reliance.

It was during Florendo’s tour of duty that the Air Force was steered to do more than its traditional role of air defense and take up multifaceted activities in support of the government’s pro-people stand.

Under Florendo’s leadership, setbacks caused by the budget crunch were turned around, and every Air Force man trained his sight on the task at hand, pooled efforts and talents to give his best.

From the Air Force headquarters to the various air bases and task forces across the country, Florendo instilled the importance of professionalism among personnel.

Florendo also gave airmen an equal chance to avail of various professional military education courses through bilateral and multilateral commitments with other countries.

Some of these are the RP-US Mutual Defense Board/Balikatan exercises; RP-Australia Trilateral seminar on disaster; RAAF symposium at the Air command and Staff College; RP-US joint defense cooperation; RP-UK cooperation; and RP-Malaysia Air Working Group Meetings.

Florendo also enhanced the skills development of Air Force intelligence men through various intelligence and other security-related courses in light of the country’s heightened security situation.

He initiated a curriculum review of the Air Force’s program of instruction to cover all pre-entry and career courses for officers and enlisted personnel in the different Air Force service schools.

As a result, four major areas of study were incorporated in existing curriculums: management, military studies, administration and general areas, and physical development. The revised program of instruction has been effectively implemented in the various career courses.

In line with the modernization program, Florendo upgraded Air Force training facilities, and at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, where airmen are trained, four wooden barracks were rehabilitated and the water system upgraded and sanitized.

In the Air Force reserve force, Florendo sustained the administrative and operational support to the reserve operating units – the Air Force ROTC training program benefited from 101,712 basic and 1,444 advance ROTC cadets/cadettes.

Of these numbers, a total of 25,722 basic and 643 advance ROTC cadets/cadettes successfully graduated and were incorporated in the Air Force reserve force.

On the reserve force’s professional development last year, 18 reservist officers took up the Basic Air Force Officer Course; three in the Squadron Officer Course; and three enrolled in the Command and General Staff Course.

At present, two reservist officers are studying at the Joint Command and Staff College; three are taking up the GSC; and another three are in the SOC.

In molding a professional Air Force, Florendo instilled proper perspective and right orientation in every member of the command by making them aware of ethical standards.

Regarding the acquisition of equipment under the Air Force modernization program, Florendo has given priority to the air defense system which consists of the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft, air defense radar, the Long Range Patrol Aircraft, and the Search and Rescue Helicopters.