HAWAII
Third Rotary Wing Exchange Bolsters Philippines-Hawaii Military Collaboration
For nearly a quarter of a century, the Hawaii National Guard has forged a robust partnership with the Philippines. This alliance not only facilitates bilateral training exercises but also enhances operational compatibility, expands capabilities, and fosters a lasting relationship between all parties involved. The inaugural Rotary Wing SME Exchange was held last year in Mactan, with the most recent SMEE taking place this past April in Hawaii. This iteration emphasized improving safety, standard- ization and maintenance of the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk. “There is no mission too important, that safety can be disregard- ed,” said PAF Lt. Col. John Paul Delgado, 210th Tactical Training Squadron commander, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing “Though we are all eager to fly, perform our tasks and serve our country, we still need to pause a little and think about safety.” U.S. Army Capt. John Worthington, Aviation Support Facility commander and UH-60 Black Hawk instructor pilot, has been a mainstay since last year’s exchange and returns with an excited focus. “My vision for the end result of this partnership is to have con- tributed to the integrated deterrence in the INDOPACOM Area of Responsibility,” said Worthington. “We can accomplish this through the tactical interoperability supporting both domestic and combat operations alongside the 205th THW in the Philip- pines. Our interchangeable rotary assets, such as the UH-60M and S-70i, are the foundation to our partnership which through evolving engagements can put us on the right trajectory.”
By Senior Airman Roann Gatdula 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard | 09.23.2024
LAPU-LAPU, CEBU, PHILIPPINES – The Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) returned to the coastal city of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, Philippines, on Sept. 16 - 20 for the third iteration of the State Partnership Program Rotary Wing Aviation Maintenance and Standardization Subject Matter Expert Exchange. This exchange focused on the essential maintenance of Black Hawk helicopters, providing a collaborative platform for main- tainers to share best practices and ensure their fleet remains mission-ready. A contingent from Company C, 1st Battalion 183rd Aviation Regiment, alongside personnel from Army Aviation Support Fa- cility No. 2 and the State Army Aviation Office engaged in this year’s Rotary Wing SMEE with the Philippine Air Force 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing at Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan. The State Partnership Program is unique to the National Guard, and includes most of the 54 states and territories. Each state is assigned a different country with which they partner, creating an enduring relationship between that partner country and the state’s National Guard units.
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