The mission of the Air Defense Command is to defend, secure and protect the Philippine archipelago. The command is responsible not only for the country’s air defense, it also conducts strategic air strikes and combat air patrol over our exclusive economic zone. Air surveillance, early warning, aircraft control, command and control, and the communications network of the entire defense system is also falls the command and strategic deployment of missile systems which the air force still has to procure, for point defense against enemy air attacks. Air Support to combat focus in maritime environment is also its prime functions. Monitoring surface traffic on our territory especially in our exclusive economic zone is its last although not the least of its functions unless higher headquarters otherwise decides to give additional responsibilities to the command.

The functions of the ADC are divided into four major areas: air defense operations, tactical air operations; disaster and relief operations, and special air operations.

The country’s present inventory of F-5’s and S-211’s are our means of air defense if ever-such a need arises. These aircraft are also forced to meet our current air patrol requirements.

On the other hand, the 580^th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing is responsible for the operation of the PAF radars, strategically located in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. At present, however, only two radar stations are operational, covering the surveillance requirement of the entire Luzon. One in Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union and the other in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.

On Tactical Air Operations, the Composite Tactical Group (CTG) located in Luzon will, meanwhile, be under the Air Defense Command. The function of these CTG’s is to plan, coordinate and control the employment of tactical air support elements for the ground forces.

Disaster Relief Operations is among the additional functions of the ADC. Relief operations, however, covers the Luzon area only.

Another additional function of the ADC is the supervision of special air operations. This includes the control of aerial activities like fly-by’s, sky-diving, flower drops, confetti drop and other related activities. Air to ground operations seminar conducted for the different PNP and AFP Units in the Luzon area is likewise conducted by this command.

With the activation of the Air Defense Command, the Philippine Air Force has started the transition from internal security to its traditional role of external air defense. The envisioned air defense modernization program includes surveillance of air intrusion within our territorial airspace, the protection of our resources within our exclusive economic zone, and the provision of air support to maritime forces. The planned acquisition of multi-role fighter aircraft will enable the command to conduct an effective defense of our territorial airspace. And a total of six radar systems shall be strategically positioned to cover the whole Philippine Air Surveillance Network integrated with civilian radar systems.