Four Navy aircraft deployed

MANILA, Philippines - After completing maintenance and repairs, four Navy planes have been deployed in various parts of the country to boost the military’s maritime security efforts.

The four islander planes were deployed in a send-off ceremony held last Tuesday at the Naval Air Group headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite.

Naval Air Group chief Marine Col. Ariel Caculitan, said the air assets went through the mandatory scheduled maintenance inspection that includes the repair and refurbishment of their systems and the retraining of pilots.

“SMIs (scheduled maintenance inspection) are required for all Navy aircrafts whenever they reach a total of 50, 100, 300 and 500 hours of flying time. This is necessary to ensure the safety and capability of our aircrafts when they are deployed in the operational areas,” Caculitan said.

The four planes that were deployed are Philippine Navy Islanders (PNI) 312 in San Fernando City, La Union; PNI311 in Cebu; PNI314 in Palawan; and PNI310 in Zamboanga.

Philippine Fleet spokesman Ltjg. Rommel Rodriguez said the islanders can conduct maritime air Surveillance, air drop, air lift and aerial reconnaissance missions.

Philippine Military Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Edgard Abogado, who served as guest of honor of the send-off ceremony, said the air assets play a vital role in securing the nation’s maritime domain.

He said the islanders provide the ships with an extended scope of information at sea.

Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jaime Bernardino said members of the Naval Air Group worked even during the holidays to ensure the completion of the aircraft maintenance before the deployment.

Each aircraft has two pilots and four maintenance crew. PNI312 is being maneuvered by Navy Lt. Jovy Irignan and Marine 1Lt. Herbert Mananghaya while PNI 314’s pilots are Lieutenants Rolly Bio and Abelardo Ginete Jr.

The pilots of PNI311 are Lieutenants Brandon Belandres and Gerard Martin Dy while PNI310 is being maneuvered by Lt. Jose Pepito Lauron and Marine Cpt. Emmanuel Zamudio.