Manila—2nd Lt.
Catherine Mae Gonzales recently became the first female aviator from the
Philippine Air Force selected for the Aviation Leadership Program (ALP), a United
States Air Force scholarship program which provides undergraduate pilot
training to select officers from other nations’ air forces.
Ms. Gonzales, who was among
the top ten members of her graduating class at the Philippine Military Academy,
will attend the program from February 2018 to May 2019. During the program, she will receive 164
hours of flight training in the T-6A Texan II aircraft, as well as 239 hours of
flight operations ground training.
Gonzales says she is excited to learn how to fly a new aircraft, as well
as to experience American culture.
Ms. Gonzales’ inspiration to
become a pilot stems from witnessing the important role aviation assets played
during the 2013 Zamboanga Siege, which took place in her hometown.
“Since then, I started to
dream of becoming a pilot,” Ms. Gonzales said.
“During those times, I really felt a great eagerness to defend my
hometown, and I thought I could be of great help to that mission from above,
since insurgents are vulnerable from this point.”
Ms. Gonzales is honored to
serve her country, and feels proud that the Philippine Air Force selection
board chose her to attend the ALP.
She explained, “Serving my
country as a female officer shows how the military profession has matured and
opened for great changes by allowing us, female officers, to lead.”
The US Air Force designed the
ALP to build relationships between future leaders of the United States Air
Force and other participating air forces, as well as increase overall
cooperation and partnership between countries. (US Embassy news)
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