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CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINDINGS 1. On assessing the present capability of the 300 th AISG in the

ISO campaign of the AFP.

The findings of this study show that the 300th AISG has greatly contributed to the ISO campaign of the AFP. The unit was instrumental in the dismantling of several Guerilla Fronts, recovery of several firearms and ammunitions, and the neutralization of the different enemy personalities. However, based on the core competency of the unit which is to conduct air intelligence, the 300th AISG is partially capable of performing its mission in the ISO due to non availability of air assets, equipment and the much needed facilities to perform Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. CI operations are also being conducted to increase the security posture of the command. Likewise, the geographical disposition of the different AISS enables the 300 th AISG to address the different threats that the AFP is confronting.

2.

On determining the present capability of 300 th AISG in

preparation for the AFPs shift to TD.

The Intelligence Task Allocation (ITA) from OA-2 has given the major responsibility to the unit in the intelligence support to Territorial Defense

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Operations. But at present, the 300th AISG can not fully address these tasks due to non availability of air assets and technical equipment to perform Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Moreover, as a unit with ISR capability, the 300 th AISG is still in the process of crafting its own ISR doctrine which will serve as guide in the conduct of its ISR activities. The lack of checked out pilots to man the TC-690A of the unit is another concern that the unit has to address. Nonetheless, the 300 th AISG should also be recognized for remarkably performed its ISR missions despite limitations on platforms and technical equipment by utilizing other air assets of the command.

3.

On determining what could be done for the 300 th AISG attain

the desired territorial defense capability.

The 300th AISG plays an important role in the TD of our country. With its mandate to provide intelligence support to the TDO in KIG, SLOC and choke points, EEZ, ADIZ, and strategic intelligence, the unit is indeed a vital component of the AFP in protecting the integrity and sovereignty of our country (PAF TAIC, 2010). However, the present capability of the unit is not quite responsive in accomplishing its mission due to lack of air assets, facilities, equipment, and checked out pilots to man the aircraft. And for the 300th AISG to attain its desired territorial defense capability, it must have an ISR doctrine to guide the unit in the performance of its mission. As the intelligence operating arm of the PAF, the 300th AISG has to give more focus on its core competency of conducting air intelligence just like how the

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intelligence units of the other major services are performing their own competencies particularly ground and naval intelligence. Likewise, the unit has to balance the human intelligence and air intelligence activities so as to maintain the capability that the PAF is expected to perform. In this manner, excessive overlaps of activities among the different intelligence units will be avoided.

The plan of the HPAF to deactivate two (2) territorial squadrons of the 300th AISG is a major step to enhance the latters efforts on air intelligence related activities. To complement this plan, personnel should be trained and prepared for the inevitable shift of the AFPs focus from ISO to TDO. It is very important that all personnel understand the overall thrust of the unit so that there will be unity of efforts towards the accomplishment of the units mission.

The PAF plan to procure additional aircrafts and other essential equipment should be relentlessly pursued to enhance the capability of the unit in the TDO. This is to ensure that all ISR missions will be accomplished. Likewise, there should be a dedicated hangar to house the TC-690A or future air assets of the unit as protection from foreign object damage (FOD) and also from unnecessary exposure to unauthorized personnel.

Another action that needs to be done is to strengthen the 306th ARS. At present, there is only one pilot assigned with the 306th ARS to accomplish its mission. With the desired 1:3 aircraft-pilots ratio, the lone pilot is not

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enough to effectively man the TC-690A upon completion of its IRAN. In line with this, the 300th AISG should be regularly allocated with pilots who are newly graduates from Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

Based on the data gathered, pilots of TC-690A should undergo simulator training to enhance their skills and to minimize accidents to pilots and crew. This is also to spare the lone aircraft from incurring discrepancies during flight training activities particularly during simulated emergency maneuvers. Likewise, the 300th AISG should have a good training program for its pilots so as not to hamper air operations when some of the pilots opt to transfer to other units or resign from the service.

The giving of full fifty percent (50%) flying pay to all flying status PAF personnel should be considered by the command. This will significantly help alleviate the living conditions of flying status personnel, thus, minimizing the exodus of pilots and skilled maintenance personnel to look for greener pasture outside.

As the intelligence operating arm of the PAF, the 300 th AISG should be exempted from performing buffer crowds including flag raising and retreat ceremonies in order for the unit to focus on its CI functions and other intelligence activities. Just like what the other major intelligence units in the AFP are doing, the 300th AISG can also conduct its own flag raising and retreat activities within its spacious compound to protect its personnel from

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any unnecessary exposure in order for them to effectively perform their inherent CI duties.

To support the PAF core values of integrity, service, teamwork, excellence, and professionalism (InSTEP), the 300th AISG should strengthen its CI operations. Because aside from the different programs of the PAF to strengthen the moral, spiritual values, and character building of its personnel, it should be supported with counterintelligence operations and prosecutions of erring PAF personnel who can not keep in step with the policies and regulations of the command.

B.

CONCLUSION Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are

drawn: First, the 300th AISG has contributed much to the ISO campaign of the AFP. This was shown on the remarkable accomplishments of the unit for the last three (3) years particularly on human intelligence operations as shown in table 2 page 41. However, it is partially capable of performing air intelligence operations in support to the ISR requirements of tactical units in the area commands due to lack of air assets, technical equipment and facilities to accomplish its mission. Likewise, the territorial squadrons are not quite focused on performing the core competency of the unit which is air intelligence.

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Second, based on the Intelligence support to TDO and related activities, the unit can not fully perform its arduous tasks. With only one aircraft in its inventory which incidentally is not operational for several years already, there is no continuity of ISR missions when the aircraft is under prolonged maintenance activities. On the other hand, with the numerous tasks for ISO, TDO, support to national development, law enforcement and support to disaster relief, the possibility that its aircraft has to attend to simultaneous ISR missions is not far fetched, thus, sacrificing timeliness of intelligence. Moreover, the limited endurance of the TC-690A does not allow extended airborne time to cover the vast coast lines and porous borders of our territory particularly in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). The lack of pilots, technical equipment, mission support facilities, and hangar further contribute to the limited capability of the unit to perform TDO.

And third, in order for the 300 th AISG to attain its desired territorial defense capability, the following action plans have to be done: 1. 2. The 300th AISG must have its own ISR doctrine. The 300th AISG must prepare its personnel through

education and training on the inevitable shift of its focus from ISO to TDO. 3. The 300th AISG must focus on its air intelligence

competency while performing other intelligence activities. 4. Acquire more air assets with longer endurance to cover

vast coast lines and porous borders of our country. 5. Strengthen 306th ARS by regularly allocating pilots who

are newly graduates from the AETC.

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6. 7.

Conduct of regular simulator training for 300 th AISG pilots. Implement to the letter the OJT and training programs of

the unit to ensure that there are available trained pilots and skilled personnel even if some pilots and enlisted personnel opt to transfer to other units or resign from the service. 8. 9. Construction of hangar for air asset/s of 300th AISG. The giving of full fifty percent (50%) flying pay to all flying

status PAF personnel should be implemented by the command. 10. As an intelligence unit, the 300 th AISG should be

exempted from performing buffer crowds and flag raising activities. 11. Enhance CI operations to support the InSTEP core

values of the Command.

C.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. For the PAF to support the modernization of the 300th AISG.

2.

For the PAF and 300th AISG leaderships to consider the above

action plans on how the 300 th AISG can attain the desired territorial defense capability.

3.

For the PAF to convince the lawmakers the need to enhance our

territorial defense capability amidst the volatile situation in the region by allocating more funds for the acquisition of air assets and essential equipment for the 300th AISG and the PAF as a whole.

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