2 Philippine military choppers hit by enemy fire in Basilan province

A military photo shows a pilot inspecting one of two Philippine Air Force UH-1H choppers hit by enemy fire on Sunday, August 16, 2009 while flying over the southern province of Basilan, scene of a recent fighting that killed 43 soldiers and Abu Sayyaf militants. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 16, 2009) – Two Philippine military helicopters came under fire Sunday and were forced to land on a remote village in the southern province of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said two television cameramen for the state-run NBN Television who were filming with senior military commanders were hurt in the landing near Lamitan City.

There were no reports of serious injuries, but the choppers were hit by bullets believed fired from automatic rifles.

“The choppers, both UH1H, were flying over Lamitan when it came under fire. We still don’t know who were behind the attack – it could be the Abu Sayyaf or Moro rebels,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Cacho did not say how many passengers were in the aircrafts, but among them were a marine general and his aides.

She said the choppers were heading to the Kurelem, scene of a recent fighting between government troops and Abu Sayyaf militants in the town of Ungkaya Pukan. The fighting on Wednesday killed at least 43 soldiers and militants.

No individual of group claimed responsibility for the attack that occurred at around 11.30 a.m. near the village of Tumasib. Military operations against the Abu Sayyaf still continue in Basilan, several nautical miles south of Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)

U.S. Gives Old Copters To Philippines To Fight Terrorism

A modern U.S. chopper flies in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.The United States on Saturday, 09 June 2007 hands over phased out UH-1H helicopters to its ally, the Philippines, to help the Filipino military combat terrorism.(Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 09 Jun) – The United States handed Saturday ten UH-1H helicopters to Manila as part of a commitment to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.

The refurbished helicopters will be used by the Philippine Air Force to supplement its modernization program and will increase its capabilities to combat terrorism and provide humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.

President Gloria Arroyo accepted the documents of the nine choppers from U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney.

The aircraft are part of 20 helicopters designated for the Philippines by President George Bush. They were refurbished in the United States through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program at a cost of $22 million for the 20 aircraft. The U.S. gave nearly $30 million in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines last year. In April 2006, the U.S. also delivered a C-130 cargo aircraft to the Philippines.

"Today, we have a tangible reminder of the strength that our two leaders show to the world as we see their vision realize in this turnover of helicopters. UH-1H helicopter is the finest helicopter in the world," Kenney said.

The U.S. military also provides training, advice, and security assistance, and shares information with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Ongoing U.S.-Philippine military cooperative programs include Philippine Defense Reform; counter-terrorism training; annual exercises; education and training; advice and support for logistics, engineering, equipment, and maintenance; civilian assistance programs such as free community medical, dental, and veterinarian clinics; and humanitarian assistance cooperation during natural disasters.

Kenney said the UH-1H helicopter is the "backbone of the US Armed Forces wing fleet" and now the backbone of the Philippine military aviation helicopters.

Kenney said the choppers would also pave the way to improve the PAF air assault capability against dissident terrorists, and also in their search and rescue operations during calamity. The U.S. has phased out the UH-1H helicopters which were used during the Vietnam war.(Mindanao Examiner)

Lumang Choppers Ibibigay Ng U.S. Sa Pinas!

MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / 06 May) – Matapos na sisihin ng Philippine Air Force ang isang saranggola sa pagbagsak ng kanilang UH-1H chopper sa Cebu province ay inanunsyo naman ng militar na tatanggap ito ng 11 helicopters mula sa Estados Unidos.

Bahagi umano ito ng suporta ng Estados Unidos sa militar, ngunit nabatid na pulos segunda-mano rin ang mga copters na darating ngayon buwan.

Hindi naman sinabi kung anong uri ng choppers ang ibibigay ng Estados Unidos, subalit sa mga nakalipas na ipinadala nito ay UH-1H rin na gamit noon sa Vietnam War.

Bahagi ang donasyon sa military assistance package ng pamahalaang Bush sa Pilipinas, na kilalang ally nito sa global war of terror. Ngunit mistulang imbakan lamang ng mga military hardware ang Pinas sa mga ibinibigay ng mga Kano.

Nais kasing makakuha ang Pinas ng mga modernong eroplano at patrol boats na kailangan sa anti-insurgency campaign sa bansa.

Sa kabila ng lahat ay tuwang-tuwa naman ang Philippine Air Force sa ibibigay ng Estados Unidos at dagdag umano ito sa mga bulok na fleet ng eroplano at choppers ng bansa.

Bumagsak ang UH-1H chopper nito sa Lapu-Lapu City nuong nakaraang buwan at 9 na katao ang nasawi ng madaganan nito ang dalawang tricycle sa mataong lugar.

Nasa isang training flight ang chopper ng ito’y bumagsak. Nakita umano sa tail rotor nito ang isang nylon na gamit sa saranggola at ito ang naging basehan ng Philippine Air Force sa kanilang ulat na saranggola ang may sala sa nasabing trahedya. (Mindanao Examiner)

Copter Crash Kills 7 In Central Philippines

A female Philippine Air Force UH-1H crew inspects her helicopter. At least 7 people are dead after a Philippine Air Force UH-1H helicopter crashes in Cebu province in central Philippines 28 Apr 2007. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

CEBU (Mindanao Examiner / 28 Apr) – At least seven people were killed when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed into a crowded place in Cebu province.

The UH-1H chopper slammed into two motorcycle taxis in Lapu-Lapu City on the island of Mactan in Cebu. The cause of the crash is still unknown, but radio reports said the chopper lost its engine power and spiraled to the ground shortly before 6 p.m.

The aircraft was on a routine training flight when it crashed near the Mactan Air Force Base. It was unknown if any of the chopper’s crew or passengers were killed.

The UH-1H is one of many old aircrafts used by the Philippine Air Force in transporting soldiers and anti-insurgency operations. (Mindanao Examiner)