Philippines Receives Fifth C-130 Aircraft

The US has delivered fifth C-130 heavy-lift transport aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Sunday.

The cargo plane, acquired through the US Excess Defense Articles program, arrived at the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu. The new aircraft would boost the transport and logistic capabilities of the PAF. The plane took off from the Davis-Monthan Air Base in USA last October 6, philstar reported today.

The fourth C-130 arrived in Mactan last April 5 and was also flown by Filipino pilots. The two cargo planes are worth $61 million.

The C-130 plane will boost the Air Force’s capability in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as transport of troops, relief goods and equipment.

The number of C-130 planes in the Air Force inventory will be increased to five following the latest C-130 arrival. Other transport planes of the Air Force are three C-295 airbus and three Fokker F-27.