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                                                                         UNIT HISTORY

 

          The 523rd Honor Escort and Ceremonial Group traced its roots from the then 730th Civil Security Group of 710th SPOW stationed at Col Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. It was on 01 February 2004 that the 730th CSG was de-activated and subsequently returned back to 520th Air Base Wing to assume the 523rd Base Ceremonial Group under the leadership of LTC ROBERTO C YABUT PAF (GSC) with seventy (70) personnel performing the ceremonial and crowd control functions within CJVAB complex. Slowly the unit began to evolve and establish itself being part of the series of activities on base and off base.

            Series of transitions transpired incorporating certain changes and modifications to 523rd BCG then on 01 June 2006 MAJOR MAMERTO A BENGAÑO PAF’s tenure of Office saw the transformation of the group to 523rd Honor Escort Group carrying a much bigger role in the control and take-over during the MANILA PENINSULA HOTEL SEIGE instigated by members of MAGDALO Group and disturbed soldiers of the Armed Forces. Through this significant accomplishment the group was awarded the “Group of the Year” besting the other qualified contenders.

            523rd Honor Escort Group continued its major contribution to the mandate of 520th Air Base Wing and of the Command with the creation of the PAF Slow Drill Team composed of selected and skilled personnel trained to execute different rifle maneuvers using the M-14 Ceremonial rifle and composing the PAF Band Drillers which is considered to be the biggest band drill in the entire Armed Forces. After a number of numerous invitations and performances by the Slow Drill Team and PAF Band Drillers the 520th Air Base Wing leadership through the proposed Activation/De-activation of units directed another makeover to rename 523rdHonor Escort Group to 523rd Honor Escort and Ceremonial Group. Presently, under the command of LTC ROLIE O FERNAN PAF its ninth skipper the group was re-invented through the addition of female soldiers as part of the PAF Gala Contingent which was displayed in the recent PAF Retirees and 66th PAF Anniversary Day at Air Force City, Pampanga that gave distinct recognition to 520th ABW.

 

 

                                                                             MISSION

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                      To conduct Military honors and other ceremonial requirements for the Philippine Air Force

 

                                                                           FUNCTIONS

  

  • Provides honor escort, firing battery and other ceremonial requirements for CJVA

  • Provides music for military and social function of the command

  • Restores and maintains order during assemblies, demos, riots and strikes

  • Conducts dispersal operations of unlawful assemblies

  • Conducts disaster relief operations in times of emergencies as required and

  • Performs other functions as maybe directed by higher headquarters 

5231ST FEMALE SQUADRON

  MISSION

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    To provide honor escort and other ceremonial requirements for the Philippine Air Force

  

   FUNCTIONS

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  • Performs honor escort and other ceremonial functions for the Philippine Air Force.

  • Provides wreath laying and firing party

  • Conducts dispersal operations of unlawful assemblies and demos when required.

  • Restores and maintains order during assemblies and demos.

  • Suppresses riots and strikes when required.

5232nd MALE SQUADRON

   MISSION

​

    To provide honor escort and other ceremonial requirements for the Philippine Air Force

  

   FUNCTIONS

​

  • Performs honor escort and other ceremonial functions for the Philippine Air Force.

  • Provides wreath laying and firing party and battery when required.

  • Conducts dispersal operations of unlawful assemblies and demos when required.

  • Restores and maintains order during assemblies and demos.

  • Suppresses riots and strikes when required.

                                                    The Philippine Air Force Band was established on 15 May 1952. It was organized by                                                          the late COL ABAÑO. Being a part of the Honor Escort Battalion of the PAF responsible                                                      for providing music during honors for arriving and departing foreign heads of states,                                                        foriegn dignitaries and guest as well as the President of                                                                                                          the Republic of the Philippines at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. This unit has also                                                      rendered numerous concerts not only here in manila but also to other cities                                                                        andprincipal towns nationwide and likewise during National Day Celebrations.  It also                                                         rendered music during international conventions and foreign embassies for its guest.

 

Its former Commanding Officers and Conductors include in the late COL ABAÑO, COL MATIAS and COL BACTALAN. Also included COL PINEDA, COL CRISTI, MAJ BARENG, MAJ MECHELINA, and MAJ MABUHAY, as well as CPT TENEDERO, 1LT PARINAS, MAJ PEDRO C DE VERA, AND CPT DIEGO A PILAR, 2LT BERNACION MARIANO JR, 1LT DENZIL LANGWAS,1LT BRENDA A TRANSPORTO  former Squadron Commander PAF band. This unit has grown and fulfilled its mission of providing appropriate music to various functions of the Command and the nation. A potent arm of the Civil-Military Operation bringing closer the government to the populace through music. It has various performing groups catering to the different social functions to include the only the only Chamber String Ensemble in the AFP. This unit composed of one (1) Officer and fifty three (53) Enlisted Personnel comprising four (4) performing groups: band, combo, and dance orchestra and string ensemble capable of performing small and large groups for all types of social functions and visible in all national day celebrations.

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