Philippine Air Force

Philippine Air Force
Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas
Seal of the Philippine Air Force
FoundedJuly 1, 1947 (1947-07-01)
Country Philippines
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size
  • 17,600 active personnel
  • 16,000 reserve personnel
  • 227 total aircraft in service with additional 56 on order
Part ofArmed Forces of the Philippines
HeadquartersColonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
Mottos"Guardians of our Precious Skies, Bearers of Hope"
Colors Air Force Blue 
MarchPhilippine Air Force Hymn
Engagements
Websitewww.paf.mil.ph
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Bongbong Marcos
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., PA
Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force Lieutenant General Arthur M. Cordura, PAF
Vice Commander, Philippine Air Force Major General Pablo E. Rustria, Jr. (acting)
Chief of Air Staff Major General Ulysses S. Marquez
Sergeant Major of the Air ForceCMSgt John I. Roxas, PAF
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
AttackA-29B, AS-211, SF-260TP/MP
FighterFA-50PH
HelicopterBell 412EP, UH-1H/D, W-3A, S-70A-5/i, S-76A/AUH-76, Bell 205
Attack helicopterT129B, AW109E Power, MD520MG
PatrolATR 72MP
ReconnaissanceAero Commander, Cessna 208, ScanEagle, Hermes 450, Hermes 900
TrainerSF-260FH, T-41B/D
TransportFokker F27, C-130, Aero Commander, Cessna 208, IPTN NC-212, F28, N-22B, C-295M, Hawker 800, Gulfstream G280

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) (Filipino: Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas, lit.'Air Army of the Philippines') is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Initially formed as part of the Philippine Army as the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) in 1935, the PAAC eventually saw combat during World War 2 and was formally separated from the Army in 1947 as a separate service branch of the AFP under Executive Order No. 94. At present, the PAF is responsible for both defending Philippine airspace, and conducting aerial operations throughout the Philippines, such as close air support operations, combat air patrols, aerial reconnaissance missions, airlift operations, helicopter tactical operations, special operations, and aerial humanitarian operations, which includes search and rescue operations. The PAF has also carried out various missions within the country and abroad.

The PAF is headquartered at Villamor Air Base in Pasay, and is headed by the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General and also serves as the branch's highest-ranking military officer.