Authorities Search for Missing PH Air Force Fighter Jet FA-50 & Its Crew
PH AIR FORCE – A fighter jet of the Philippine Air Force reportedly went missing during the Tactical Night Operations exercise.
The fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force, the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, participate in tactical operations upon schedules. Most often, these operations are in support of the ground troops.
Recently, a Tactical Night Operations exercise was held in support of the ground troops. Unfortunately, during the recent tactical operations exercise of the Philippine Air Force, a PH fighter jet went missing and has yet to be found.
Based on a report on Philippine Star, the FA-50 lost communication with the rest of the flights involved in the tactical operations “minutes before reaching the target area”. According to the Philippine Air Force, the other participating aircrafts “repeatedly attempted to re-establish contact with the missing aircraft” until they went back to Mactan, Cebu.
The officials of the Air Force confirmed that search operations are ongoing in the pursuit to locate the missing fighter jet and its crew. The PAF stressed in its statement that they are using all available resources to locate the missing PH Air Force fighter jet.
Based on the report, the Philippine Air Force did not make mention of the number of personnel aboard the aircraft. It also did not mention the exact area where the fighter jet lost contact. Instead, it stressed that its main concern is the safe return of the personnel aboard the aircraft.
“We are hopeful of locating them and the aircraft soon, and ask you to join us in prayer during this critical time,” the Air Force said in its statement.
Based on the report, the PH Air Force fighter jet FA-50 is a light combat aircraft and the country started acquiring it in 2015. It was manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries in partnership with Lockheed Martin. The Air Force assured that additional information will be posted once available.
More updates may be posted soon…