Pormal ng inactivate ng Philippine Army ang kanilang Aviation Regiment, Air Defense and Missile Units sa isinagawang joint ceremony na ginanap sa Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, nitong Miyerkules.
Binuhay ng Phil Army ang Aviation “Bagwis” Regiment (Provisional) (AvnR (P)), 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) at 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry).
Mismong si Phil Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto ang nanguna sa activation at assumption of command ng tatlong units.
Ang Aviation Regiment AvnR (P) ay pamumunuan ni Col. Jesus Rico D. Atencio.
Habang si Maj. Junel Uden ang mamuno sa 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry).
Si Maj. Edgardo B. Ocampo naman ang mamuno sa 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry).
Ayon kay Philippine Army Spokesperson Lt.Col. Demy Zagala layon ng activation ng mga nasabing units para palakasin pa ang depensa ng Philippine Army lalo na sa mga kinakaharap na banta.
Naniniwala si Zagala na malaki ang maitutulong nito sa kampanya ng militar laban sa terorismo at insurgency.
Ayon naman kay Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto na ang Army Aviation Battalion ay inupgrade bilang Aviation Regiment at ime- maintain nito ang kasalukuyang fleet of fixed-wing aircraft for special aviation mission habang dinidevelop ang capabilities nito sa armed reconnaissance, air assault at air medical evacuation gamit ang rotary wing aircraft.
“We will be acquiring light attack helicopters, armed reconnaissance helicopters, and multi-purpose medium lift helicopters. Through the upgraded Army Aviation Regiment as an integral component of our combined arms operations, our Army will have the capability to conduct a better array of aviation operations to support ground forces and be more responsive in the archipelagic setting in the defense posture,” pahayag ni Lt. Gen. Alberto.
Habang ang 2MLRS Btry at 1LBMS Btry sa ilalim Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) ay tutulong sa pag augment ng firepower ng mga tropa lalo na sa pang malakihang operasyon.
Ayon kay Alberto ang Air Defense units ang po-protekta sa mga tropa laban sa air threats habang ang Missile units tutulong para hindi makalapit ang ang mga kalaban.
“We put primacy on the activation of these units in order to continuously enhance our aviation and air defense capability as we operate with the intent to be a modern and well-equipped Army, to address fast evolving threats and finish the insurgency at the soonest time possible,” dagdag pa ni Alberto.
