AMENITIES...

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MY VISIT TO AETC

        I think it is only proper that my first Command visit as Commanding General should be to the Air Force unit and air base where every Airman –whether Officer or enlistedman - where he or she first learns how to fly, where he or she first tastes the life of a soldier, and where all those who wear the Air Force blue learn their earliest, most important lessons in their military career.

        Fernando Air Base and what was then the 100th Training Wing will always play an important part of my life, and so I am extremely happy to be back here.

        My only regret though is that I am not able to thank the people who mentored me, who taught me my early lessons as a military officer, and the teachers who, in one or another, molded me into what I am today.

        But I guess, gone my opportunities of the future that I will go see them and give them a try, and thank them for what they reap. I guess what I’m trying to say here is for you students and trainees who are based here in Fernando Air Base.  I hope this message gets through to our trainees and students, savor this opportunity to learn, to be trained, to be molded for one day, who knows, the lessons you learn here might just save your life and make you become a better Officer and a better Airman.

        And best of all, never forget to look back and thank your mentors and instructors.  For that, I think, is the greatest reward that no money can buy which you can offer for people who have made teaching their vocation in life.

KEEPING In-STEP EARLY

        My visit here today puts the light on the Air Education and Training Command  not only as a PAF unit but also as an institution of learning, of a continuous journey through knowledge as the Airman progresses through his life in the Air Force.

        It is here in Fernando that our Officers, our pilots, and our candidate soldiers , our soldiers learn to “keep In-STEP” early:  to imbibe the core values of INTEGRITY, SERVICE, TEAMWORK, EXCELLENCE, and PROFESSIONALISM.

        It is here, too, that our personnel return to re-ignite the fires of learning, to re-discover often-forgotten virtues, and sharpen even more both the mental and physical edge of a warrior and an Airman.

A MESSAGE TO THE AIR POWER INSTITUTE

        Today also marks a significant milestone as well for a Unit that holds much promise well beyond the size of the building that houses it, and the seemingly diminutive size of its manpower complement.

        Today, the Air Power Institute can acknowledge a trifecta of sorts in the significance of this day. 

This morning’s occasion marks the 7th year anniversary of the Air Power Institute as lead champion and chief guardian of Air Force doctrines.  It also marks the changing of the guard from one distinguished Commanding Officer to another equally capable and forward-thinking successor.

LT COLONEL FIDEL CRUZ JR, or “JUN”, has steered the API through more than two years and two months of what could be considered a search for its raison d’etre, its reason for being.

Ever since the API Building was inaugurated several years ago, the Institute languished for some time as a bare edifice with just a handful of men and one, solitary personal computer.  It did not even have a decent library whose collection of references would have hopefully invited the most curious of learners to go through its humble reading list.

Today’s API is a far cry from that sorry and deplorable state of things.  Thanks to the efforts of COLONEL CRUZ, and those of his predecessors – and of course, the Commander, AETC who was the Commander of API.  I wish to acknowledge all of the Commanding Officers of API.  Thank you for guiding the API in its early years – PALAKPAKAN PO NATIN SILA!

That the A-P-I today reflects an aura of new-found significance and anxious resurgence should also be reflective of how we, as an organization, should treat the matter of our doctrines and view the significance of the study of airpower.

“Beneath all differences of doctrine or discipline,” it is said, “there exists a fundamental agreement as to the simple, absolute essentials.”  Let me share to you some of what these absolute essentials are:

(1)          AIR SUPERIORITY SHOULD BE OBTAINED IMMEDIATELY; TAKING A GRADUAL PATH IS LIKE TAKING A ROAD TO DISASTER;

(2)          AIR SUPERIORITY,  DESPITE OUR GIVEN, EVER-PRESENT AND NOTORIOUSLY FAMILIAR BUDGET LIMITATIONS, CAN BE GAINED ONLY BY A HUGE INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY;

(3)           SLOW VICTORY IS BAD POLICY.  IF CONFLICTS ARISE, IT SHOULD BE FOUGHT IMMEDIATELY AND WON DECISIVELY;

(4)          THE ENEMY SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN TIME TO RECOVER AFTER OUR FIRST ATTACK; and

(5)          AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WHEN STILL LACKING IN TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES, WE SHOULD COMPENSATE WITH SUPERIOR STRATEGY AND DOCTRINE.

I share this not only to reiterate what might have been the driving precepts of the Commanding Officer of the API, its biggest advantage is the advocacy of  airpower and leadership of this Institute, but also to emphasize the point that DOCTRINES, PLANNING, and STRATEGY shall take a pre-eminence in the Philippine Air Force during my watch.

         This should be reassuring news for you, JESS, as you take over as the new Commanding Officer of API. 

You shall have the full support of higher headquarters along this line. I know you will succeed in seeing this institute to greater dawning because I know you are confident having graduated from GSC.  You still have the fire of eitr raisonment and the knowledge to push through with the necessary what to have been done to this institute.

        My congratulations go to JUN CRUZ for a job well done, and my best wishes go to JESS ESTOESTA, to complete the task that is yet to be done.

        It gives me great pride as well to take cognizance of the fact that we have just launched another set of three manuals as a follow up to the growing list of Functional, Organizational, and Operational Manuals that the API has reviewed, evaluated, validated and formulated in support of the overarching theme for greater awareness of the importance of doctrine and the discipline of study of airpower.

CONCLUSION

        In the same way that a smooth-running and sound organization is largely a result of sound doctrine, so is a highly-effective and professional airman and woman the product of sound education and training.

        I say this to challenge the AETC and the API, to be at the forefront of cutting-edge methodologies and to be resolute in your quest to possess, as the repository of Air Force knowledge, the kind of capability to impart education and training that is continually responsive and relevant to the tides of time.

        This is where it all starts, where we start getting into sync, and where we start our “Air Force walk” – where we begin to KEEP In-STEP.

        Remember just these 5 words, our CORE VALUES, the HEART and SOUL of the Air Force:

        INTEGRITY

                SERVICE

                        TEAMWORK

                                EXCELLENCE

                                        and  PROFESSIONALISM

        In this juxtaposition lies the future of the Philippine Air Force.

        It is my honor and pleasure to be here.

Maraming salamat, at MABUHAY ANG AIR POWER INSTITUTE.

MABUHAY ANG AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND.

          MABUHAY ANG PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE!