The Less Traveled Flight of a Military Pilot

For this particular BLOG, I just want to share my JOURNEY as a highly privileged INDIVIDUAL who experienced to EXPLORE and CONQUER the vastness of the sky. I am forever thankful for the rare opportunity and remarkable journey as MILITARY PILOT. One of the most colorful pages in the chapters of my journey in the armed profession. 

August 12, 1997 is not only unforgettable but absolutely remarkable date in the pages of my FLIGHT in LIFE.  It was during that day when I was released for SOLO FLIGHT in the T41D (CESSNA) aircraft.  It was the first time that I had flown the AIRCRAFT as a PILOT without an INSTRUCTOR PILOT with me. It was after about 15 hours of actual instructional flights, countless hours of "bunk flying" (term used to practice flying while on the ground) and academic lectures about theories of flight, aerodynamics, and other required instructions about flying. FLYING SOLO is actually the initial realization of being a PILOT. The beginning of the great privilege to explore the infinite vastness of the skies. The GENERAL SANTOS CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is the silent witness to that remarkable event, the location of the RUNWAY where I took off and landed during my first SOLO flight.

We were the first batch of MILITARY PILOT STUDENTS trained at GENERAL SANTOS CITY. The flying training during that time was transferred at GENSAN since the weather condition is fit for flying training. Fernando Air Base in Lipa City is the usual flying training venue for the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE, until today.

After flying SOLO on August 12, 1997. With me in the pictures are my CLASSMATES, an INSTRUCTOR PILOT and some MAINTENANCE CREWS.

The MILITARY PILOT TRAINING Class of 1998 or the "WINGS OF INDEPENDENCE" is composed of 47 members (39 members from PMA Class 1996, 1 member from AFPOCS Class 1992, 1 member from AFPOCS Class 1994 and 6 members from AFPOCS 1995B). Aside from being the first class trained at GENERAL SANTOS, we were also the first class with training conducted in 4 different locations. The first part of the training (SOLOING STAGE) was conducted at GENSAN. The last part of the flying training for the PRIMARY PHASE was conducted FAB. The first part (SOLOING STAGE) for the SF260 aircraft was still conducted at FAB. For the last part of the BASIC PHASE, the class was divided into 2 groups. The first group who opted to fly the FIXED WING AIRCRAFT after graduation, the training was conducted at CLARK AIR BASE in PAMPANGA. The second group who opted to fly the ROTARY AIRCRAFT, the training was conducted at DANILO ATIENZA AIR BASE in CAVITE.

I was part of the CLARK AIR BASE group. However, the supposed to be group (CAVITE GROUP) to be divided into two PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE units with ROTARY AIRCRAFT (205th THW and 15th SW) were all assigned at the 15th SW. So the slots for assignment to 205th THW were provided by graduates from the CLARK AIR BASE group. The 205th THW has the HUEYS (UH-1H Helicopters while the 15th SW has the MD-520MG Helicopters.)

I was one of the 15 graduates assigned at the 205th THW. There were 8 members from the class who were assigned at Fernando Air Base and became INSTRUCTOR PILOTS. Another 8 members were assigned at the 220th AW and became pilots of the airlifts (NOMAD, FOKKER and C-130) and the remaining 16 members of the class were assigned at 15th Strike Wing.

Despite my short stint in the deployment areas as PILOT of the UH-1H helicopter because of the early assignment at the Office of the Wing Adjutant of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing for a record of 3 years, then at the Headquarters Philippine Air Force for 7 years and other assignments not related to flying, I was able to explore many places including remote areas all over the country and the battle-strife places in Mindanao. It was a great privilege to be able to have flown above the Central and Southern Luzon, the whole areas of Visayas and Mindanao performing numerous missions such as insertion  and extrication of troops, re-supply, VIP flights, humanitarian and disaster response activities. It was absolutely an unforgettable chapter of my journey, to be able to view not only places from above but also life from higher and greater perspectives.

...in 1998 at Fernando Air Base, Lipa City

This is in SABANG BEACH in PUERTO PRINCESA during one of our flights to ferry the Wing Commander of the 570th Composite Tactical Wing while visiting PAF units within his Area of Responsibility in the province of PALAWAN.

In 2002 at SABANG BEACH in PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN with a "KABABAYAN" from CAMARINES SUR...

This is one of my flights with T41D over TAAL LAKE in BATANGAS. Words are not enough to completely describe the enormous mixed emotions and the unlimited appreciations for this remarkable creation. It is definitely a gargantuan honor for me to view TAAL VOLCANO and other incredible natural wonders. The overflowing BLESSINGS along my FLIGHT in LIFE are unimaginable and magnanimous.  

There are many factors that affect FLYING, just like in life. There are situations which are out of our control, like the WEATHER CONDITION. But the ability to adjust to the prevailing condition is not only applicable in flying operations but for every situation in life. It is noteworthy to develop and possess the virtue of flexibility not only for the pilot but for every individual.

Although as pilots we are mandated to perform various missions from ferrying VIPs to the different important engagements and even to performing flying sorties related to combat operations, we still have plenty of time to savor and enjoy the view from above. Blending duties and responsibilities with pleasure is the way to maximize our existence. I have enjoyed the view from above for countless times already. We have an absolute beautiful country. Every island has its own captivating characteristics and alluring descriptions. 

Being a PILOT has not only provided me the GREAT PRIVILEGE to explore the infinite vastness of the skies, it has also given me the LARGE OPPORTUNITY to travel around the country, to unmask different cultures, and to be acquainted with various types of people.

Every military pilot certainly has his own unique stories about flying. There are happy and also sad moments. We have a number of pilots who died while performing various duties. I have 3 classmates who encountered fatal aircraft accidents. The first one crashed in the waters of PALAWAN sometime in year 2004. His body together with the other pilot and other passengers were never recovered. The second crashed landed somewhere in BULACAN. The third and fervently praying to be the last crashed in the mountain of Northern Luzon. My great SALUTE to my 3 CLASSMATES and other PILOTS who provided the SUPREME SACRIFICE of providing SELFLESS SERVICES and offering their LIVES for our GOD, COUNTRY and PEOPLE. 

For the past several years and at present, I am assigned at the HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE and other units of the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE designated to the different middle manager positions tasked to accomplish varying duties and responsibilities requiring strategic mindset. 

As ASSISTANT COMMANDANT of the AIR FORCE OFFICER SCHOOL from 2012 to 2013

My deployment as a PILOT nationwide has given me a wider view of how things are actually happening. Experiences and insights that essentially helping me to look at things and events comprehensively. Knowledge that continuously helping me to contribute something for the service...the LESS TRAVELED FLIGHT... 

As member of the INSPECTING TEAM for the PAF MODEL BASE and CG, PAF STREAMER AWARDS for 2015 in the capacity being the ASSISTANT AIR FORCE ADJUTANT...