Philippine Air Force Retires Bronco and Cobra

On 28 December 2024, the Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (PHAF, Philippine Air Force) officially retired two iconic aircraft types from its inventory.

The 15th Strike Wing at Danilo Atienza Air Base, Cavite, led the decommissioning ceremony for the remaining North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco multi-role attack aircraft and the Bell AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters.

The OV-10 Broncos, introduced on 12 November 1991, served the air force for 33 years. The Cobras, the PHAF's first dedicated attack helicopters, were donated by King Abdullah II of Jordan and arrived on 26 November 2019 to support internal security and counter-terrorism missions.

The retired aircraft have been replaced by more modern platforms: the TAI T129 ATAK multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter, and the EMBRAER A-29B Super Tucano. The 15th Strike Wing operates the new aircraft, with the 16th Attack Squadron Eagles flying the A-29Bs and the 18th Attack Squadron Falcons using the T129Bs.

Credit photo: Philippine Air Force/15th Strike Wing