Country Philippines | Branch Philippine Air Force | |
Active October 1, 1986 - Present Allegiance Republic of the Philippines Type Air Force Reserve Force Role Conventional and Unconventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations, Combat Support & Service Support, Force Multiplier, Training, Disaster Rescue & Relief, and Community Service | ||
The Air Force Reserve Command, known officially as the AIR RESCOM or RESCOM, (Filipino: Pangasiwaan ng Panlaang Kawal ng Hukbong Panghimpapawid, Spanish: Comando de la Reserva de Fuerza Aérea) is one the Philippine Air Force's Major Support Commands created for the sole purpose of Reserve Force management, procurement, and organization.
Contents
History
The utilization and management of Reserve Forces in the Philippines started when Rajah Lapu-Lapu, chieftain of the Mactan Island, Cebu, rallied his troops and defeated the Spanish invaders led by Fernando Magallanes in the year 1521. Due to his actions as the local village chief, Rajah Lapu-lapu and his townsfolk became the very first reservists that saw action in defending the Philippines.
By 1935, the Philippine Commonwealth, under the leadership of President Manuel Luis Quezon enacted the very first legislature of his government. Commonwealth Act Nr. 01 ensured that Philippines will be prepared to thwart off any invasion or aggression of some sort by any nation, or entity and thus called upon its citizens to provide manpower to then fledgling Philippine Army. The National Defense Act of 1935 heralded the creation of what would be the Armed Forces of the Philippines and very first documented account of voluntary citizen enlistment.
Reservists fought hard during the 1940s and saw action on almost all parts of the country in World War II. Regular and reserve members of then Philippine Army/ Philippine Army Air Corps (the forerunner for the Phil Air Force), the Philippine Constabulary, and the Philippine Offshore Patrol (what would become the Phil Navy later on.) were incorporated with US units and rallied under the banner of the USAFFE.
Post WWII saw the re-organization of the AFP and the further need to rebuilt the defense of the nation. Reserve units were then organized to Battalion Combat Teams with the sole purpose of force augmentation in the eventuality that another world war ensues.
1991 saw the birth of a new reserve force when Republic Act 7077 (Reservists Act of 1991) was signed into law on July 1, 1991. This new legislation directed the AFP to organize and create units with the sole purpose of reservists management.
Mission
Its mission is to organize, train, equip, develop and administer the Philippine Air Force reserve force as base expansion in the event of war, invasion, rebellion, disasters or calamities.
They are also tasked in augmenting the regular force whenever needed.
Training
Training is one of the primary tasks that is handled by AIR RESCOM. One of its primary training unit is the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) and the Basic Citizen's Military Training (BCMT). Also if they are in the Reserve Force they can acquire many trainings like DRROT and the UADT or Unit Active Duty Training Provided by their respective group and unit. They can also be in the line of being in the active duty if they are in an ADT position .
The Air Force Reserve Command also through its ROTC Program prepare future officers in the air force serving in the reserve force. Under the Probationary Officer's Training Course, college graduates are trained to take roles as officers in Philippine Air Force.
Also young professionals are encouraged to join Philippine Air Force Reserve Command via Circular 4 (Cir.4) which you can be commissioned in the Philippine Air Force as a Commissioned Officer . Your rank will depend in your type of license like PRC or CAAP Aviation License.
Types of Reservists
There are currently two (2) types of reservists in the component of the AFP Reserve Force; the Ready Reserve and the Standby Reserve. Ready Reservists are personnel that are always on constant alert and on a call whenever the mobilization order has been given, while Standby Reservists are the personnel that support and augment the Ready Reserve Force when only needed.
Lineage of Commanding Officers
Units
Air Force Reserve Groups