EDITORIAL — Waiting for an upgrade

An Air Force pilot and her co-pilot were injured when the landing gear of their OV-10 Bronco collapsed as it hit the tarmac in Clark Field, Pampanga yesterday. The two were participating in the latest "Talon Vision" war games between Philippine and US troops. The plane had completed its participation in the "maneuver and joint attack exercises" when it swerved to the right and skidded off the runway.

The two pilots were lucky. About three years ago, during similar war games with US troops, an Air Force pilot was killed when she diverted her OV-10 into a vacant lot to avoid hitting a house as the aircraft crash-landed. The Air Force lieutenant was commended for her act, implying that it was not pilot error but some mechanical malfunction that might have led to the crash.

Yesterday’s accident prompted the Philippine Air Force to ground about 20 of its OV-10 planes. It’s not the first time that the PAF has grounded its aircraft. Numerous accidents involving trainer jets, in particular the S-211, as well as other planes and helicopters have claimed the lives of many PAF pilots. Little wonder then that many military pilots are leaving the service to work for commercial airlines.

With proper training for commercial aircraft, former PAF pilots find themselves in big demand. If they can survive the aging aircraft of one of the weakest air forces in the region, they can fly anything. Yesterday’s accident was just the latest reminder of the weakness of the PAF, whose modernization has long been held back by budget constraints and politics.

PAF aircraft are used not just for war games with foreign troops or to track down insurgents and terrorists, but also for rescue and relief during disasters as well as for patrolling Philippine territory. But the PAF is so pitifully equipped it cannot perform such non-combat operations effectively. It cannot even participate in routine war games without fear that one of its planes would malfunction and claim more lives. National leaders have committed to upgrade the PAF’s capability. That upgrade cannot come soon enough.