Philippines

Brief history
The Armed Forces of the Philippines had been established on 21 December 1935 when the Philippine Army was renamed. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (Filipino: Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas; are the military forces of the Philippines. The Philippine Air Force became independent of the Philippine Army during 1947, resulting in the AFP consisting of four major services Army (Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas), Air Force (Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas), Navy (Hukbong Pandagat ng Pilipinas) and the Constabulary In 1986 the Coast Guard separated from the Navy and in 1991 the Philippines Constabulary separated from the AFP and merged with the National Police.The President of the Philippines is the Commander-in-Chief of AFP and forms military policy with the Department of National Defense, an executive department acting as the principal organs by which military policy is carried out.

Brief history
After the war, the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) was immediately reconstituted. By 1 July 1947, the PAAC was renamed Philippine Air Force (PAF) and rose to a major service command of the AFP. Additional units were formed and PAF organizational structures were enhanced in response to the equipment and air assets provided by U.S. Military Aid. In 1955, the PAF catapulted into the jet age that elevated the Country to a level of a super power in the South-East Asia region. In 1962, United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold asked the Philippine government to send a tactical air squadron to neutralize secessionists in the Congo. In 1963, the PAF sent ‘Limbas’ Squadron (later became 9th TFS) led by Lt Col Jose Rancudo, to join the UN Peacekeeping forces to the troubled Congo.

Through the years, the PAF has boldly reinvented itself, assessing air assets and creating a whole new way to make things work. While the PAF endeavored to maintain a steady pool of competent pilots, it has also maintained in its human resource a number of professional and highly skilled maintenance men and women. Faced with tough realities, the downgrading and merging of units is an inevitable move to decommission assets that are either too old or too costly to maintain.

The Philippine Air Force at present is in the midst of a transformation effort aimed at revitalizing its territorial defense capabilities while retaining the ability to support AFP internal security operations as well as national development efforts and respond to calamities. Complementary systems such as air defense radars will arrive in the near future. As part of the efforts to restore a credible air defense capability.

Brief history
The Naval Air Group prepares and provides naval operations with assets mainly for maritime reconnaissance and support missions. It started off in 1975 with local built BN-2A Islanders and Bo 105 helicopters but throughout the years new aircraft and helicopters have been materialised. The group's headquarters is at Danilo Atienza Air Base, Cavite City.

Brief history
An Army Aviation Battalion was created in 1978 but was already abolished five years later. A new modest start was made in 1986 slowly introducing aircraft, mostly Cessna’s. Now the emphasis will lie on obtaining helicopters.

Brief history
The Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF), then known as Coast Guard Air Group was formally activated on 18 May 1998 at the former PADC Hangar Nr. 3, Domestic Airport Complex, Pasay City. On 22 January 1999, after eight months of existence, PCGAG acquired its first aircraft, a BN Islander from the Philippine National Oil Company – Energy Development Corporation (PNOC – EDC) on 18 May 1998. On June 1999, the first helicopter, a MBB BO-105CB was acquired from PADC. On 21 November 2002, the Manila International Airport Authority allowed CGAG to occupy its present location.

Brief history
The Philippine National Police (abbreviated PNP) is the armed, civilian national police force in the Philippines in which the Special Action Force (SAF) is one of the 14 Operational Support Units. This group is a mobile strike force or a reaction unit to augment regional, provincial, municipal and city police force for civil disturbance control, internal security operations, hostage-taking rescue operations, search and rescue in times of natural calamities, disasters and national emergencies and other special police operations such as ant-hijacking, anti-terrorism, explosives and ordnance disposal. The PNP Air Unit is placed under the supervision of SAF and stationed at the PNP Hangar in Pasay City.