Soccer equipment, school supplies for Jolo school—from PAF, US

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Airmen of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Tactical Operations Group-9 and US military service members last weekend presented soccer equipment, school supplies, clothing, and toys to the first and second graders of the Sheik Mustafa Elementary School in Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu.

“AFP’s PAF TOG-9 Airmen visited their “adopted” school, Sheik Mustafa Elementary School, to emphasize the importance of education to young students. Teaming up with US service members, the Airmen joined the students in several activities, including the donation of clothing, toys, and soccer equipment,” said Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTFP) Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Joseph Allegretti.

In an interview with admiring primary graders, they said they want to become pilots when they grow up, telling the AFP Airmen they would one day like to be able to fly a helicopter. The young boys’ spontaneous sharing warmed the airmen and heightened the excitement of the children. A few boys were allowed to have a simulated pilot training at the controls of a flight simulator under the tutelage of a PAF pilot.

About sixty students benefited with the donations which were jointly collected by the PAF and U.S. service members.

The visiting forces of the United States are in the Philippines upon the invitation of the Philippine Government, and are working on several humanitarian programs in close partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Frencie L. Carreon)