Exemplary airmen to be honored at Lipa City reunion

Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva will present awards to outstanding airmen on Sunday at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, where the alum—ni of the Philippine Air Force Flying School will hold a reunion dubbed "Balik-Fernando 2001."

Villanueva will deliver the keynote address at Balik-Fer—nando 2001, which pays tribute to the school that hones the country’s tough military pilots.

The awards will be bestowed on outstanding alumni who have made significant accomplishments in their respective fields and brought honor to the Air Force and the entire Armed Forces.

This year’s Golden Aviator awardees are Maj. Gen. Nestor Santillan and Brig. Gen. Enrique Abad — Command and Leadership; retired Gen. Arnulfo Acedera — Business and Management; Col. Jose Saplan — Research and Development; Col. Horacio Tolentino — Personnel Category; Lt. Col. Gregorio Paduganan — Operations Category; and Col. Ramon Ragasa — Alumni Affairs.

A special award will be conferred posthumously on Capt. Mary Grace Baloyo, the female PAF pilot who died in an OV-10 crash recently.

Before the presentation of awards, an alumni parade will be held immediately after the arrival honors for Villanueva and Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor Jr.

Balik-Fernando 2001 will start with the registration of alumni at 6:45 a.m., followed by the election of the Philippine Air Force Flying School Alumni Association board, wreath-laying at the air base’s flagpole, skydiving and silent drill exhibition.