Page 7 - Perspective 2019 sample a4 size

PERSPECTIVE Journal Vol. 2019
Propagating Air Power to the Masses 7

Last 14 September 2018, as the typhoon “Ompong”, the year’s strongest ty-
phoon hit and swept the eastern seaboard to the western side of the country, mil-
lions of Filipinos were distraught and left the villages under mud and swath of flood.
Significant numbers of people were found dead and some were still missing as of

the moment. Trail of evidences marked and tells us that thousands of lives have
been disrupted. The different air assets, equipment and skilled personnel of the
Philippine Air Force immediately provide assistance to support the ongoing disaster,
search and rescue, retrieval and relief operations to the areas critically affected in
Region I, II, II and CAR by the onslaught of the said typhoon.

The 207th Tactical Helicopter Squadron, as the working arm of the 205th Tac-
tical Helicopter Wing in the Archipelago of Luzon, is one of the first responders to
the scream of those affected people due to landslide and strong devastation of the
typhoon. As the sun rises, first hour in the morning of 16 September 2018, Stinger
Flight composed of 2 UH-1 helicopters stationed at CJVAB, Pasay City braved the

air and find its way to HTOG2, Cauyan, Isabela to support the movement of the
AFP’s Commander-in-Chief and representatives from different government agencies
that will asses the situation and determine the necessities of the communities which
were severely affected by the typhoon “Ompong”. With the strong will, firmness
and determination, the flight embarked and flew to the aftermath and the ferocity
left by the storm. After the safe ferry of stakeholders and the inter-agency engage-
ments, Stinger Flight then hurdled the mountains of Northern Luzon and conquest
the unforgiving terrain enroute to HTOG1, Loakan Airport, Baguio City to conduct
rapid damage assessment and needs analysis and relief operations on their AOR

where severe damage and devastation was experienced. Another UH-1 helicopter of
207THS was added to ensure that all missions and relief operations will be accom-
plished.

The determination and genuine dedication of the aircrews who manned the
said flight was really incomparable. Professionalism was clearly displayed by these
dashing air men during the conduct of day-to-day mission and not just a simple relief
operation but a mountainous/combat relief operation ready to face the challenges of
the unforgiving terrain, the bulkiness of clouds displayed around the area and most
especially the mere presence of enemy on the ground that might harm not just the
aircrew but to the relief goods that supposed to be delivered, these matters to them

the most. They never count their rigorous days of sounding the engine from the first
light of the morning until the clouds kiss the ground and the sun wave’s goodbye.
Making it count as one of their fulfilling days that another family were able to receive
relief and comfort even to the point that those aircrews already forget the time to
also relieve their whine of hunger and exhaustion just to maximize the clear skies
yet varying weather of Northern Luzon just to deliver as much services as they can.

AIR WARFARE CENTER