Chopper parts boost PAF capability
Several non-operational Bell “Huey” UH-1 helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will soon take flight again after essential spare parts needed for their restoration have arrived from Japan.
According to Maj. Aristedes Galang, chief of the Air Force’s public affairs office, the command’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing are now in the process of replacing non-working parts of the air assets with the spare parts donated by the Japanese government to have them rejoin the PAF’s fleet in the soonest possible time.
The donated pieces, turned over by the Japanese Ministry of Defense to the Air Force , include main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and tail rotor driveshaft.
With at least seven choppers expected to be restored and ready for deployment in the coming weeks, the PAF will have additional assets to efficiently carry out its duties.
“Other spare parts will be utilized to a readily available UH-1H to maintain and increase higher operational readiness of the PAF,” Galang said.
The UH-1 helicopters are used by the PAF in its primary operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response, transport, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activitivities.
As of the end of the first quarter of this year, there are about 30 Huey helicopters being utilized by the Air Force.