“Saga” ends as last T129 ATAK Helicopters commissioned, and the PAF Women Pilots of it

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The “Saga” of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) acquisition of their first order of T129 ATAK Helicopters finally came to a close recently when they commissioned into Service the last two of six Aircraft at the Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite recently.

The acquisition of these Helicopters went thru a Negotiated Government to Government Procurement, and not a lot of News were shared publicly about it. However, the first official announcement that a Contract had been signed for them was made by the Manufacturer “Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)” in September of 2020. 

Since then its delivery turned into a “Saga”, or a long Story with many Developments and Dramatic Highlights as TAI turns out was having Problems securing an Export License for its Engines which were designed and manufactured by a Company in the United States (US).

To be fair, Turkey or TAI are not the ones to be blamed for this Issue but the US since they were the ones delaying the issuance of the Licenses, very likely due to Political Reasons since Turkey had not been in good Relations with the US, and so it seems the US wanted to punish them for it  and the Philippines’ order ended up getting involved in the Crossfire. 

Because of that, there was a lot of uncertainty about the delivery of the Aircraft, like when it will start and when it will be finished. 

As for this last two Aircraft, I did notice something odd about it also, they were delivered to the Philippines in November of last Year of 2023, but were commissioned only after six Months later in May 2024. That is a bit of a long time between the delivery and commissioning, but so far the PAF had not given any explanation for it. 

Anyway, while looking at the Pictures, I just noticed that one of the Pilots in the Pictures was a Woman., and when I looked at the accompanying Text of the Pictures, it turns out that there were actually not just one but at least TWO Women Pilots now of the PAF for their T129 Helicopters, and both hold the Rank of “Major”. 

Only one of the Pilots though could be clearly seen in the Pictures. Now I have a lot of respect for all of the Women Pilots of the PAF, I have seen them being featured flying the S70i Black Hawk Helicopters and C295 Medium Transport Aircraft, among others, but I have to admit, these Women Attack Helicopter Pilots are a bit more cool and “Bad A”. 

Congratulations to the PAF for the completion of their T129 Helicopter order, and to their Women Pilots of that Aircraft.

SOURCE: 

* 15th Strike Wing Facebook Page Post, 05/19/24 – 1401H15th Strike Wing Facebook Page Post, 05/19/24 – 1401H {Archived Link}

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“Saga” ends as last T129 ATAK Helicopters commissioned, and the PAF Women Pilots of it