58th Founding Anniversary of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing

Thank you, National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. [please take your seat]

The Philippine Air Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura PAF; 250th Presidential Airlift Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. Arthur Laylo; the Officials and Personnel from the Philippine Air Force; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

For nearly six decades and across successive administration, the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing has been entrusted with a responsibility that is both highly visible and deeply personal:

I have been with this unit from the very beginning. It was first the 701st, 701st in 1968 ‘ata – 1968 it was formed, 701st and we were—ang eroplano pa namin noon—I was eight years old, my first birthday in Malacañang was eight years old. And the first presidential flight I took, believe it or not was in a C-47, C-47 pa ‘yung mga ginagamit namin.

The presidential aircraft, I remember only was the—ang helicopter pa namin nun was the old
Sikorsky, iyong amphibious. It was the Tinikling I remember. I cannot forget the name of the helicopter, it was the Tinikling. It suffered engine trouble over the sea. It landed in the water. It floated for a little while tapos na-swamp, tapos it was lost.

But then later on, this was renamed—in the 70’s, this unit was renamed 7001st and then eventually 700 Special Mission Wing. Ang presidential aircraft pa nun is is F-27 tapos nagdatingan na iyong mga Huey. That was in the early—around the 70’s.

So, I have been watching and I have been a beneficiary of the service that this Wing has been providing to the President and the First Family for most of my life – practically all my life. And, I think, I still believe that it is for a President and for the First Family, this must be the one of the greatest assets that we have to use to be able to do our duty.

Because, like today, today I spent most of today – before coming here, we were flying. We went to Tarlac, we went to Zambales, we went to Pampanga. And, I would not be able to do that if it was not for the capabilities of the Special Mission Wing, of this Wing, of the 250th.

And that increases, you are a multiplier effect not only for the President, also for the First Family, for visiting heads of states, and for other high-ranking foreign and local dignitaries.

It is a very great responsibility because you cannot allow any room for error, no room for complacency. And with the new technologies today, I think that is something that we can take full advantage of.

Naaalala ko minsan, sa amin nawawala pa kami. Wala pang GPS noon eh. And, I remember there were instances where we were not sure where we were exactly especially pagka mababa ang cloud cover.

So, the evolution of the 250th from the 701st through 707th Special Mission Wing, and then now to the 250th has been clear and has been very much state-of-the-art. Because it is so important that you perform well not only the majority of the time but every single mission that you fly.

And behind every successful takeoff and landing is a team that has planned thoroughly, trained constantly, communicated clearly, and carried out your duties with professionalism and with competence.

In the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, precision and sound judgment are a way of life – they has to be. This commitment becomes even more important when circumstances are not ideal.

Each flight reminds us that safety must be the utmost priority in service to the nation. In a country that is tested by severe weather conditions, it is your vigilance, your discipline, and your skill that we find are essential for us to be able to do our jobs.

Over the years, you have strengthened readiness through continuous training, capability development, modernization, and improved coordination across your units.

This allow the Wing to respond safely and effectively to increasingly complex missions, whether in support of official engagements, emergency response, or humanitarian operations.

In these missions, you do more than just provide transportation. You help the government reach our people when they need us most.

If you think that bringing me safely to a destination is already an accomplishment, that is only the beginning.

Dahil sa husay ninyo, nakararating ako kaagad sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng tulong at kalinga.

Noong nakaraang linggo, bumisita tayo sa Bacolor, Pampanga upang kumustahin ang mga naapektuhan sa matinding baha – just like today again.

Noong nakaraang taon, agad tayong tumungo sa Cebu upang tingnan ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan ng lindol at maghatid ng tulong sa kanila.

Itong Hunyo, pumunta naman tayo sa Sarangani upang inspeksyunin ang mga pinsalang dulot ng lindol at personal na pinaabot natin ang ating suporta at mga pamayanan doon.

So, when floods and communities, for example are isolated, you help bring us closer to the families that are waiting for assistance. When earthquakes damages homes and shakes people’s spirit, you carry relief and hope for them to carry on.

But of course, there are also happier moments.

Kagaya ng pagbisita natin sa Pasinaya Homes sa Magalang, Pampanga kung saan natin sinulong ang abot-kayang pabahay para sa bawat pamilya.

Hindi natin magagawa ang mga ito kung hindi dahil sa mahahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng ating 250th.

You give the President and the Presidency because you do not only fly me – you fly my staff, you fly all the support staff that is necessary for me to be able to do my job properly, you give us the mobility that we need and our government, you give it to the presidential staff, the President, the presidential staff and the government, and you provide the readiness to respond when circumstances call for a quick and rapid response.

And this is why we place such deep trust in you—not only for the safety of the President but to the safety of the First Family as well.

So, to our Bluebirds: the aircraft may carry the mission, but it is your discipline and your teamwork that make each operation possible and make each operation successful.

To this year’s unit and individual awardees, my congratulations. Your achievements reflect the collective strength that keeps the entire Wing flying higher and farther.

And to the pilots, aircrew, maintenance and security personnel, civilian workforce, and families, of course, of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing: thank you very much for your continuing support.

Continue to fly with skill, serve with purpose, and uphold the trust that the nation has placed in you.

Happy 58th Anniversary to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing.

Mabuhay ang Philippine Air Force!

Mabuhay ang Republika ng Pilipinas! [applause]

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