The F-5A Freedom Fighter Era (1968 - to present)

1968

Basa unveiled a six-man team with Maj Rodolfo Franco in the lead and the Blue Diamonds resurged to wild clapping. Their spectacular performance on May 2, 1968 with the faster and sleeker F-5As formally ushered the Air Force into a new era.

The high level of dexterity shown in the maneuvers also brought the team on an unprecedented goodwill mission to Taiwan.

1969

Under Maj Franco, the team reversed to a more difficult downward bomb burst and a four-man “four-point-in-place-roll”. Other maneuvers performed included 360 degree low level turns in diamond with two stunt pilots joining the four F-5s into a delta formation that went into a loop, then a whifferdill leading to a pitch out before landing.

For their outstanding performances, the PAF Commanding general, Brig Gen Jesus Singson, awarded the team members their “Kahusayan Awards”.

1970

The members never sat on their laurels. They kept flying and soaring, perfecting their maneuvers for the knowing eyes of the public. Lt Col Franco again led the team over the heads of everybody during the Aviation Week festivities.

1971

When Col Antonio Sotelo assumed the command of the 6^th Tactical fighter Squadron, he tasked Lt CoL Loven Abadia to form a new Blue Diamond Team. He scouted and identified some of his flyers that were good and asked them to join in test practicing the maneuvers. On a clear February of 1971, a five-man team did rolls over Basa.

Two more aerobatic teams were activated, the six – man Sabrejet teams _the 7^th TFS PAF Red Aces led by Lt Col Napoleon Angeles, and the 9^th TFS PAF Golden Sabres under Lt Col Antonio Bautista. The emergence of the three aerobatic teams was made possible by the large number of aircraft in Basa inventory at that time. The ratio grew to one pilot per aircraft bearing his name, with several more planes in reserve.

1972

The Blue Diamonds, codenamed Cobras, remained as top drawers in Manila for sentimental reasons. The Red Aces of Bulldongs roared over Luzon, streaking over Baguio, Laoag and Pangasinan. The Golden Sabres of Limbas took care of the south sweeping over the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Tacloban, Surigao and Jolo in a full seven-day performance run.

On the account of familiarity and fame, the more sophisticated aircraft, the Blue Diamonds always took the breathless attention of the public and reviews from the media.

1973

In 1973, the Blue Diamonds, led by Lt Col Armando Garcia, combined with the composite Red Aces/Golden Sabres team under Lt Col Antonio Bautista to perform on the 38^th Foundation Anniversary of the PAF. It was standard aerial precision fare done into two groups, gleaming with undiminished beauty and daring.

Before the year ended, Lt Col Abadia took over the leadership.

1974

Lt Col Abadia lead a six – plane diamond formation in a low pass before veering away for their first aerial number adding flourish to the historic Kasaysayan ng Lahi during the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant.

Abadia’s team featured a six plane borne like a ribbon in a graceful series of rolls and loops. The difficult maneuver with the bigger number of supersonic F-5s was consummated with the participation of his two uncannily accomplished wingmen, 1Lts Adelberto Yap and Carmelito Nemeño.

1975

The worsening energy crisis sapping the country compelled the Air Force to severely limit air shows of the Blue Diamonds. Economic forces caught up with the military establishment and threw priority efforts to the insurgent countryside.

Still, one show got on the air. On July 4, 1975, the Blue Diamonds jumped for a friendly demonstration over Clark Air Base to highlight the occasion of the Filipino-American Friendship and US Independence Day.

1976

Despite the tight energy crunch, the Blue Diamonds was able to eke out two performances in 1976. A basic diamond formation with two reserves under Lt Col Abelardo de Dios was unveiled in time for the July 4^th Bicentennial celebrations of the US. The team performed over Cubi Point at Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City. They went to a basic repertoire and receive rave reviews form the predominantly American audience. For this performance, they were conferred the Kahusayan Award.

The Blue Diamonds second performance that year was in Metro Manila, on the invitation of the Manila Aero Club.

1977  

The Blue Diamonds lead this time by Col Jose Balajadia , stretched its wings in a four-plane diamond formation and soared to cap the annual Air Force Day rites.

The team was constrained to perform only over Basa. The whole aerobatic sequence was covered by the TV Program Ms Elaneous of Channel 7 and watched by millions of tele-viewers.

The feature of the team brought the pilots into direct contact with the youth and bared a classic covenant among flyers—that of never compromising any mission.

1978

The year 1978 had a nine-man line up under the leadership of Lt Col Ildefonso Dulinayan. The team had their only performance at Baguio City, on coordination made by PAF Gen Ernesto Bueno.

The worsening energy crunch, however, led to the scrapping of the air show. PAF bosses were worried at the criticisms the performance might generate, given the tight energy situation faced by the country.

1986

Eight years later in 1986, the famed aerobatic team hinted its deathless existence when the team was reactivated. Lt Col Ricardo Faustino spearheaded the Blue Diamonds, sweeping with six planes in a graceful and elegant display of showmanship. Rolling, arching, frolicking, diving and turning in neat precision, once more bringing pride and glory and fame and once more demonstrating the Blue Diamonds vaunted skill.

1995  

By 1995, the team was revived using the same old reliable F-5A fighter plane, the very same aircraft used since 1968. It was noted that the team was formed out of self-reliance, skill and experience. No former Blue Diamonds member did taught the team the trade. The team comprises Major Enrique dela Cruz as team leader, Captain Raul del Rosario, Captain Rhain Morota, Lieutenant Gerald Da-anton, and Captain Gilbert Bartolome.

1996 - 1998

Heading the team in this PAF 50^th Anniversary edition is Captain Raul del Rosario. In 1998, another boost for the Blue Diamonds came when 5 more F-5s from Korea were given to the PAF. This triggered the start of regaining back the accolade bestowed to the honor of the Blue Diamonds and was dubbed “Return to Glory”. Their performances were primarily in connection with the Philippine Independence Day Centennial celebration.

1999