Pampanga: Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel from the Disaster Response Task Unit (DRTU) of Basa Air Base conducted search and recovery operations in Pampanga early this week amid heavy monsoon rains.

According to Philippines News Agency, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo reported that DRTU personnel assisted the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in towing and recovering a firetruck that was submerged in floodwaters in Barangay Bodega, Floridablanca, Pampanga on Monday. This operation was crucial in ensuring that emergency response vehicles remained operational during adverse weather conditions.

On the following day, the DRTU personnel were called to action once again, this time responding to a vehicular accident along the Dinalupihan-Porac Highway in Barangay Gutad. A truck carrying animal feeds had overturned and crashed into a motorcycle parts shop. The trapped driver was safely extricated using hydraulic rescue tools and was immediately handed over to emergency medical responders, ensuring timely medical attention.

Col. Castillo highlighted that these operations were carried out by personnel from the 5th Fighter Wing, 355th Aviation Engineering Wing, 960th Air and Missile Defense Wing, and 540th Air Base Group. They worked in coordination with the local government unit of Floridablanca, municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, Philippine National Police, BFP, and barangay officials.

Col. Castillo emphasized that these efforts demonstrate PAF's dedication to disaster response, inter-agency coordination, and the protection of communities during times of crisis. The operations underscore the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring public safety and effective crisis management.