AIR FORCE REVIEW Vol 1, No 1 TAKING OFF Lt Col Jose Tony E Villarete PAF Director, Office of Special Studies In line with the vision of the Commanding General Philippine Air Force, LTGEN BENJAMIN P DEFENSOR JR AFP, of a faster, stronger and better Philippine Air Force, the Office of Special Studies (OSS) has come up with this new version of PAF doctrine and strategy publication. The Air Force Review, successor of the OSS Digest is published quarterly, aims to increase the AFP personnel’s awareness of the existing doctrines of the PAF and activities related to doctrines development and to stimulate discussions about air power, strategic development and matters affecting national security. In an effort to keep pace with the CG’s vision, this maiden issue is an attempt to produce a responsibly faster publication through the dedication and devotion of the reinvigorated editorial staff. Contributions from the major units and the different functional staffs, as well as from the visiting fellows sent to RAAF Aerospace Center, were solicited. Likewise, variety of topics were covered from a wider sources, ensuring a stronger base of ideas for the publication. We continuously strive to come up with articles that would contribute towards better doctrines and strategy, which, separately or collectively, add value to the service the Philippine Air Force provides to the country and people. For this year, the OSS intends to focus on air power awareness through multi- media methodology, doctrine formulation and revision, initiating the review and revisions of the PAF Basic Doctrine, developing a relevant air strategy, and conducting “conceptual” activities such as the CG’s PAF Annual Air Power Symposium, regular publication of the Air Force Review and holding of the Doctrine Family Conference. OSS will likewise continue to oversee the RAAF-Aerospace Center Attachment Program and conduct special studies in support of the CG’s vision of a faster, stronger and better Philippine Air Force. The Editorial Board expresses its sincerest gratitude to those who contributed articles and shared their valuable ideas which could immensely enhance the Command’s efforts towards a dynamic doctrines and strategy development. We look forward to a more active participation of units and staff offices for the coming issues. Let your voice in print be heard through the Air Force Review! UPWIND On the visionary leadership of LT GEN BENJAMIN P DEFENSOR JR AFP Commanding General, PAF "The new PAF relies moreon the true imperatives of airpower, on speed and agility, on the element ofsurprise, and on accuracy. The new PAF counts more on less - less equipment,less people, less air assets, but delivers more... and with quality results. Inshort, less for more!" If he were using pilot lingo, the exchange would have gone like this: "Tower, Air Force Six-Niner, number one outbound, ready for max perf takeoff.” “Air Force Six-Niner, you’re cleared for max perf take off.” Max Perf stands for maximum performance, a term used when an aircraft takes off using the shortest possible distance and rises at maximum climb angle to gain altitude or clear an obstacle fastest on full power. The same term applies well to PAF’s “Six-Niner” Lt General Benjamin P Defensor Jr., who has by far demonstrated a penchant for pushing way down the throttle. But the words he used last 10 October 2000 were clear and simple: ”Today I assume command of the Philippine Air Force. And I sign.” The Flight Plan However, his engines, long primed, were running. Shortly thereafter, he met all Commanders and Headquarters PAF Staff Officers and articulated his vision for the Air Force during his tour of duty. His vision which is a characteristics of his personality and crafted in the year of the Sydney Olympics, is simple enough, but goes into the basics: Faster, Stronger, Better. Faster, Stronger, Better PAF Faster PAF means faster response to all threats, external and domestic; faster delivery of basic services in support of government programs; and faster rescue, relief and humanitarian assistance in calamities and crises. In short, faster actions. Stronger PAF means stronger presence within the islands and over the fringes of national territory to discourage and deter foreign aggression, secession, insurgency; stronger basing to assure ready assistance to communities; and stronger organization, trained, disciplined, enlightened and empowered to meet all missions and objectives of the Air Force. In short, stronger teams. Better PAF means better weapons, better platforms, better systems, better doctrines, safer air assets, better procedures and better ways that separately or collectively add value to the service the Air Force gives to the country and people. In short, better means and capabilities. (It’s the gospel according to ACTS: Actions, Capabilities, Teams, Systems. Or Best Actions suited to Core Capabilities by Dream Teams supported by Right Systems) The Arrowhead Strategy For the PAF to be faster, stronger, better, the new Commanding General laid out three strategic imperatives: Brilliance in the Basics means going back to the basics and going forward and upward a level higher, and this entails not only mastery of the context of soldiery, of office administration, of project management, or of leadership and command in the Air Force at all echelons, but more importantly innovation and resourcefulness. Completion of the Core emphasizes individual and unit endeavor in all levels to fill up the core competencies or special strengths of the Air Force rooted in the five pillars of modernization: doctrines development, force and organizational development, capability and materiel development, base development, and human resource development. Each unit and individual will take himself to task by pursuing projects and missions that will build capability in these five areas and add value to the service of the Air Force through leading and taking charge, through innovation and combination of the old and the new. Richness in Results underlines the orientation of the Air Force on the importance of outcome of effort in all activities. It stresses the imperatives of outcome management based on the future, and not on the past or present since the Air Force is focused not on preparing to win the wars of the past or of the present, but the conflicts and challenges of the future. Richness in results likewise means results fashioned out of exploiting opportunities instead of merely solving problems. Problem-solving merely sustains maintenance; exploiting opportunities bear the signature of out-of-the-box thinking and carry the future direction of the Air. To produce results, resources must be largely directed to opportunities rather than to problems. Upwind Mileage Seven weeks into his charted course, Air Force Six-Niner has kept true to his heading. The following have been the gains so far. Brilliance in the Basics . Brilliance, Discipline and Professional Attitude in all Ranks through the Dismissal of Erring Personnel and Recognition of Outstanding Achievers. “CBW” Program. No, it’s not Chemical-Biological Warfare. It’s the (Chest-Bigger-than- Waist) Fitness Program launched via Tuesday and Friday Morning Runs and Taebo sessions. Increased Operational Readiness Rates of airlift and tactical aircrafts like the UH-1H helicopters and the C-130s. For the past several years, PAF helicopters had been experiencing structural damages largely attributed to age. After the new CG, PAF approved of a novel test method, the defects were lessened and a new efficiency was attained. Increased Safety Awareness and Achievements. To this day, PAF has not registered a single aircraft incident or accident. Completion of Core Capabilities . Revitalized Tactical Airpower Doctrine through a Seminar Workshop for AFP doctrines experts and planned publication of a PAF Strategic Assessment Magazine. Groundwork for airpower laid out through construction of the Airpower Institute at AETC courtesy of the CSAFP. Enhanced Base Development through the construction of the additional buildings and welfare facilities for pilots and personnel at AETC and pursuit of joint arrangements at Mactan with civilian entities on the maintenance of C-130s. Strengthen Organizational Effectiveness through assignment of best Commanders and Staff Officers in key positions following the retirement of former CG, PAF, Lt Gen Florendo. Improved Operational Capability through approval of recovery of two OV-10s, upgrade of C-130s and Nomads, safety job on UH-1H fleet, and operationalization of the Airborne Tactical Identification System for Visayas and Mindanao. HRD Buildup through the formal adoption of the personnel database buildup, computers and networks, and the select procurement of the next batch of airmen to serve in the Air Force. Richness in Results . A new level of unit discipline and adherence to the Chain of Command has been defined in the ranks. PAF Units have been turning in 85% ratings in fitness reports. OR Rates of air assets have shot up to 90%. Zero aircraft accidents and incidents for the past seven weeks. PAF Air Bases undergoing intensified beautification. CG, PAF has personally visited most of the major air bases and stations of the PAF to articulate the new plans and programs. Morale of airmen has been boosted by new housing projects. The PAF has a new achieving character based on the strength of the achievements of the PAF Chief as previous TOC Commander, and latest contributions of key units. Pressing On In his latest remarks to the personnel of 15th Strike Wing, the CG, PAF stressed the significance of moving ahead in the field with a new character. “We are giving shape to an emergent PAF for the millennium, a surging PAF, a new PAF. For the old PAF was the PAF of the seventies and eighties, which relied more on numbers, on more planes, more assets, more equipment, more platforms but less results.” “The new PAF relies more on the true imperatives of airpower, on speed and agility, on the element of surprise, and on accuracy.