President Aquino to grace 80th AFP Day in Clark

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/561450607922/president-aquino-to-grace-80th-afp-day-in-clark
• Sunday, December 20, 2015

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu (CLJD-PIA 3)

CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga, Dec.20 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino III will grace on Monday, December 21, the landmark 80th anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Pampanga.

Its highlights include the high-speed opener pass of two FA-50, inspection of troops, and conferment of recognitions to AFP personnel and partners.

There will likewise be a pass-in-review of mounted and dismounted contingents composed of 117-person team from AFP Special Units, 11 wheeled armor vehicles, 53 tracked armor vehicles, 14 artillery vehicles, 5 engineer vehicles, 15 combat service support, 12 humanitarian and disaster response vehicles, 4 affiliate reservist vehicles, and 54 motor military vehicles (static display).

And lastly, there will be a fly-by of 40 newly-acquired aircrafts including 16 Stello Frati 260FH, 1 Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA) C-295, 3 Bell 412 combat utility helicopters, 4 UH-D helicopters, 3 Sokol Rescue Helicopters, 5 Philippine Air Force Augusta Westland (AW) 109 attack helicopters, 3 Philippine Navy AW 109 helicopters, 2 C-130 Hercules, and 3 UH-1 helicopters.

About 800 guests are expected composed of Department of National Defense and AFP officials and staff, former Presidents of the Philippines, members of the cabinet and diplomatic corps, veterans, reservists, and retirees.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “At 80: Advancing, Transforming to protect the people and secure the state.”