PAF honors Braganza with ‘champagne flight’

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, the outgoing chief of the Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom), got the last loop of his military career in a so-called "champagne flight" at the Edwin Andrews Air Base here last Friday.

The flight was a gesture of the 3rd Tactical Operations Wing, headed by Brig. Gen. Efren Macasil, to honor Braganza, who is retiring on Sept. 10 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

During the flight, Braganza first co-piloted an MG520 attack helicopter before riding on the OV10 ground attack plane for a series of aerial maneuvers.

Capt. Richard De Guia, of the 15th Strike Wing, piloted the ground attack plane, with Braganza as co-pilot.

Among the aerobatic maneuvers they did were a simulated bomb-run, the mind-boggling barrel roll, and the breathtaking loop.

De Guia admitted the aircraft shook while they were midway making the loop.

"So I had to abort the loop in the middle of the maneuver to avoid losing the airspeed and altitude and to save the aircraft from going out of control," he said.

The ground attack plane tipped as it seemingly made a loop.

"For me, it was a great loop that completed my 34 years of dedicated military service. I have always advocated selfless service over my family," said Braganza before Air Force officers carried him out of the bomber plane and brought him to a ramp.

Macasil said the "champagne flight" is an Air Force tradition honoring an airman with what could be his most special and memorable flight before he retires.

The Philippine Military Academy also recently honored Braganza, a native of Pangasinan and a directly commissioned officer from the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in 1971, for his leadership in the military service.

Among those being eyed to succeed Braganza are Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon, chief of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division; Maj. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, chief of the 4th Infantry Division; and Lt. Gen. Allan Cabalquinto, chief of the National Capital Region Command.