CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – General Andres C Centino PA made his first official visit as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the Headquarters, Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Pasay City on March 8.
The AFP Chief was rendered military honors at the Villamor Air Base, where he was received by PAF Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas. He was also conferred with the Honorary Expert Missile System Officer Badge.
During his visit, General Centino met with PAF General Officers in a Command Briefing where he was presented with modernization updates and priority projects of the Air Force. These include the acquisition of Mobility Support System, Integrated Air Defense System, and Integrated Command and Control, Communications and Computer Systems.
“We are improving as an Air Force and as an Armed Forces. I am very much optimistic and upbeat on how the future looks. It is really jointness that is the key to becoming a stronger military force,” said General Centino.
On the same day, General Centino officially opened the PAF-PA Interoperability Exercise 01-2022 at the PAF Gymnasium.
“It is a must for us to ensure jointness and interoperability within our Major Services. We can always have a strong Army, Air Force, and Navy, but we can have a stronger Armed Forces if we have jointness in our operations. We just need to coordinate, cooperate and plan together to better perform our mission as one Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
The exercise is the first in its kind that seeks to improve the Air Force and Army’s interoperability during joint operations through a series of drills and subject matter expert exchanges.
General Centino also met with PAF personnel in a traditional talk to troops. He took the opportunity to appreciate their humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts (HADR) after the devastation of Typhoon Odette.
He reminded the troops to remain professional and nonpartisan as the national and local elections approach.
“Whether you like it or not, there will be a new administration, but this is no cause for worry. What matters most is we have very professional armed forces; a professional group of soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines who continue to work in a disciplined and professional manner whoever is leading our country,” the AFP Chief said.///(Photos by TSg Randulf Obinque PAF/PAOAFP)
