Eastmincom gets 4 Blackhawk helicopters

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has received four new S-70i Blackhawk helicopters.

Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said the new air assets would enhance the mobility of government troopers in the fight against communist terrorist groups as well as in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

“The arrival of these Blackhawk choppers happened at a very opportune time to aid our hardworking troops in the pursuit of genuine peace and development in Eastern Mindanao,”Almerol said.

Two of the new air assets are stationed at the Tactical Operations Wing-Eastern Mindanao Davao Air Station in Barangay Sasa.

The two other helicopters were brought to the Tactical Operations Group regional headquarters at Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro.

The AFP also deployed Blackhawk helicopters to the Western Mindanao Command for its operations against terrorists in Mindanao.