The Philippine Navy has activated its newly formed aviation arm, the Naval Air Warfare Force (NAWF), in a bid to strengthening further the country’s maritime defense capabilities amid ongoing regional security challenges.
The unit’s transition from Naval Air Wing to NAWF was formalized during a ceremony held at Naval Base Heracleo Alano at Sangley Point, Cavite City on Oct. 6.
The reorganization marked a significant step in the Navy’s ongoing modernization program to enhance air surveillance, reconnaissance, and maritime patrol operations across the country.
In a statement, the Navy said the establishment of the NAWF underscores its “elevated role in maritime defense and its vision of extending the Navy’s horizon in safeguarding our archipelagic nation.”
“Marking the transition from Wing to Force, the occasion highlighted [Naval Air Warfare Force’s] elevated role in maritime defense and its vision of extending the Navy’s horizon in safeguarding our archipelagic nation,” the Navy said.
The newly organized force now stands alongside other major operational units of the Philippine Navy, including the Offshore Combat Force, Littoral Combat Force, and Sealift Amphibious Force.
The restructuring was part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ broader effort to improve joint maritime domain awareness and operational readiness in light of persistent tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
