MISSION:
TO PERFORM TACTICAL AIR OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE AFP FORCES
IN ANY DESIGNATED AREA.
FUNCTIONS:
Provide close air support to surface forces.
Conduct tactical air reconnaissance.
Perform airborne and strike control of operating air and surface
forces.
Provide air control in support of other aircraft.
Perform interdiction missions.
Provide limited air evacuation and relief operation in support of
Civil Military Operations.
Provide deployment of Combat Ready forces in areas of operations as required by Higher Headquarters.
Perform other functions as directed by Higher Headquarters.
UNIT
HISTORY
The 20th Attack Squadron of the 15th Strike
Wing had its beginnings back in 1983. Known then as the 20th Air
Commando Squadron, it was activated on 01 October 1983 by virtue
of General Orders #426, Headquarters Philippine Air Force, dated
13 September 1983. Its first home station was located at Villamor
Air Base in Pasay City. At that time, twelve (12) Sikorsky AUH-76A
helicopters were entrusted into the hands of the squadron to serve
primarily as close air support aircraft to surface forces of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. On 17 January 1989, the squadron
was transferred to Sangley Air Base, Cavite City. In 1993, the acquisition
of the more agile MD-520MG helicopters triggered the re-fleeting
of the squadron’s air assets, thus, on 15 December 1993, the
squadron was renamed 20th Assault Squadron. On April 2003, the squadron
was once again renamed to 20th Attack Squadron giving a more appropriate
name based on its mission.
The 20th Attack Squadron has a glorious past. In fact, it has played
key roles in Philippine history. During the People Power Revolt
of 1986 in EDSA, for instance, then Colonel Antonio Sotelo Sr.,
the Wing Commander of 15th Strike Wing at that time, led a flight
of the squadron’s AUH-76A attack helicopters. But, instead of conducting persuasion flights in support of troops loyal to the
Marcos Regime, Colonel Sotelo led his flight to Camp Crame and landed
thereat in favor of the democracy that we now enjoy. Eventually,
the squadron’s Sikorsky AUH-76A helicopters were turned over
to the 505th Search and Rescue Group and to the 250th Presidential
Airlift Wing along with some of the pilots and crews. And so, by
April 1996, the 20th Attack Squadron had an all-MD-520MG fleet.
With this new fighting capability, the unit’s participation
in the government’s unending campaign for peace intensified
even more. Since its activation in 1983, the unit has performed
numerous combat missions including air strikes and close air support
missions. From the jungle bases of communist guerrillas in Cagayan
Valley down to the entrenchment of Muslim secessionists in Mindanao
and Sulu, the 20th Attack Squadron’s marks have been very
well placed and have won praises from other AFP units. In fact,
during the campaigns against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, in the first
semester of Year 2000, the 20th Attack Squadron was instrumental
in bringing back not only the people’s trust but also the
other AFP units’ confidence in the Philippine Air Force. 20th
Attack Squadron’s participation in the campaigns had shown
what Air Power is all about. Eventually, Camp Abubakar, the largest
among MILF’s camps, fell into the hands of the AFP. And, undeniably,
the overwhelming victory of the AFP in Camp Abubakar was the result
of sustained air operations in which the 20th Attack Squadron took
part. Today, the 20th Attack Squadron continues to serve and actively
participate in the government’s effort to keep the democracy
alive which shall lead to a stronger republic.
The 20th Attack Squadron of the 15th Strike
Wing had its beginnings back in 1983. Known then as the 20th Air
Commando Squadron, it was activated on 01 October 1983 by virtue
of General Orders #426, Headquarters Philippine Air Force, dated
13 September 1983. Its first home station was located at Villamor
Air Base in Pasay City. At that time, twelve (12) Sikorsky AUH-76A
helicopters were entrusted into the hands of the squadron to serve
primarily as close air support aircraft to surface forces of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. On 17 January 1989, the squadron
was transferred to Sangley Air Base, Cavite City. In 1993, the acquisition
of the more agile MD-520MG helicopters triggered the re-fleeting
of the squadron’s air assets, thus, on 15 December 1993, the
squadron was renamed 20th Assault Squadron. On April 2003, the squadron
was once again renamed to 20th Attack Squadron giving a more appropriate
name based on its mission.
including air strikes and close air support
missions. From the jungle bases of communist guerrillas in Cagayan
Valley down to the entrenchment of Muslim secessionists in Mindanao
and Sulu, the 20th Attack Squadron’s marks have been very
well placed and have won praises from other AFP units. In fact,
during the campaigns against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, in the first
semester of Year 2000, the 20th Attack Squadron was instrumental
in bringing back not only the people’s trust but also the
other AFP units’ confidence in the Philippine Air Force. 20th
Attack Squadron’s participation in the campaigns had shown
what Air Power is all about. Eventually, Camp Abubakar, the largest
among MILF’s camps, fell into the hands of the AFP. And, undeniably,
the overwhelming victory of the AFP in Camp Abubakar was the result
of sustained air operations in which the 20th Attack Squadron took
part. Today, the 20th Attack Squadron continues to serve and actively
participate in the government’s effort to keep the democracy
alive which shall lead to a stronger republic.