The Philippine navy is one of the three branches of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines that has
the responsibility in protecting vasts seas surrounding the Philippines.
Despite its meager resources the men and women of the
Phillippine Navy does what they can in truest sense of their mission as members
of the navy.
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| Navy personnel stands near the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) donated by US for Philippine military use (photo credit to owner) |
From the former USCG Hamiltons that was donated to the
country years ago (the three Hamilton vessels are already known as Gregorio Del
Pilar class frigates in the Philippine Navy), our only existing treaty ally the
United States of America.
In helping the Philippines improve its its maritime
intelligence and reconnaissance capability, the US government will donate a
Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) to the Philippines- to the Philippine
Navy in particular.
The TARS
is an unmanned and self-sustained lighter-than-aircraft systems which is
primarily used for surveillance. It can rise up to 15,000 feet but would remain
stationary as it is tethered by a cable on the ground.
The use
of TARS is seen very important in the archipelagic country like the Philippines
as it could provide details on the presence of aircrafts and watercrafts on
coastal areas.
Aside
from poaching issue, smuggling of illegal drugs and other contrabands is also a
big problem in the country.
Capt.
Lued Lincuna, PN spokesman however, said
that the TARS that will be donated will also be used in the conduct of
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations.
“The
TARS also includes a weather station that provides telemetry data to the ground
station for the monitoring of ambient temperature, pressure, wind speed and
other pertinent parameters in the operation of the system,” he said.
The
turnover ceremony is expected to be attended by US Deputy Embassy Chief of
Mission to the Philippines Michael Klescheski and Philippine Navy Flag Officer
In Command, Vice Adm. Ronald Joseph S. Mercado at the Naval Education and
Training Command (NETC) in San Antonio town of Zambales.
Report from
MB.com.ph
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